Two $21,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old trotters led the U.S. holiday weekend charge on Sunday, July 7 at Bangor Raceway, with driver Heath Campbell and trainer Valerie Grondin sweeping both events.

In the first $21,586 stakes race, which was a non-wagering event held before the regular card, the three male high-steppers were eager to get things started. As the pylon-positioned Pembroke Will protected his inside status while stablemate Chipper Dale (Drew Campbell) jumped off stride before the starting gate had sprung. This allowed Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) to grab the two-hole and track behind the pacesetter into a :30.3 opening panel.

Heading through the 1:03.3 modest half-mile marker, Chipper Dale had recovered from his early miscue and regained contact with the field. Carrabasset maintained his pocket trip until the 1:35 third panel, where he made a move to the outside.

Charging down the stretchm Pembroke Will could feel the walls closing in around him, yet maintained his composure, and his will power, to hold off the late charge of Chipper Dale and a tiring Carrabassat. Scoring by a head in 2:04.4, it was Pembroke Will’s first seasonal victory, which also resulted in a new lifetime mark. Chipper Dale threw in a :29.2 last quarter to be second and Carrabassett was third.

Driven by Campbell for Grondin and owner/breeder Bill Varney, the winning son of Pembroke Slugger upped his lifetime earnings to $85,004.

The second $21,895 Maine Sire Stakes of the afternoon opened the regular betting card for the three-year-old filly trotters. At the start, Pembroke Breeze held on to her position on the pegs and rolled through a :31.1 opening panel with My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) sticking close in second and Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) cruising along in third.  

At the 1:02.3 half, the order had not varied; however, Cushing had pulled his filly to the outside to challenge. By the 1:32.2 third panel, Twisted Venture had advanced to second position, albeit uncovered on the outside, while the leader Pembroke Breeze was allowed to trot unfettered.

As the field turned for home, the pacesetter had gained separation on the field and the daughter of Pembroke Slugger drew off to win by 3-1/2 lengths in a new lifetime mark of 2:02.2. Twisted Venture finished second and My Saving Grace was third.

Once again, Campbell and Grondin displayed their collective prowess in the Maine Sire Stakes and took home another trophy for owner-breeder Varney. She now sports a career bankroll totalling $88,795. 

The Maine Sire Stakes resumes on Wednesday, July 10 when the three-year-old colt and gelding pacers return to historic Bass Park.

(With files from Maine Sire Stakes; Photo of Pembroke Breeze winning on July 7)