Under sunny skies with a full grandstand of fans, Windsor Fair hosted Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies on Sunday, Aug. 24 during the opening weekend of Maine’s second largest agricultural fair.

In the fastest $24,204 Maine Sire Stakes division, the Graffams' Chasing Dudes scored the victory in 1:59 off a pocket trip behind divisional leader Leanne Marie. 

Driven by Nick Graffam for his father and the filly’s trainer and co-owner Mike Graffam, the sophomore daughter of Dudes The Man-Caviart Caterina prevailed by a length over Leanne Marie (Mike Cushing) and took a new lifetime mark in the process. Whisper Of Luck (Andy Harrington) finished third in the early non-wagering event.

The winning connections, including co-owner and breeder Bob Marston, have enjoyed the consistency of Chasing Dudes, who has three wins this season and was only worse than second in a single race in seven seasonal outings, earning $44,483.

In the other $23,890 division for three-year-old pacing fillies, Glorilla made it three wins in a row in the Pine Tree State-bred program. 

Trained and driven by Aaron Hall, the daughter of Dudes The Man-Unknown Artist did control the tempo and made every call a winning one. She stopped the timer in 1:59.4, earning herself a new speed badge for her efforts. Dudes Pretty Chick (Heath Campbell) finished 1-1/4 lengths behind in second and Ruff Dudes Jena (Dave Ingraham) was third.

Bred by Kevin Sywyk and owned by Ron Cushing, Glorilla has won half of her eight seasonal starts while earning $45,871.

The weekend's racing action opened on Saturday with 14-year-old pacer Lord Of Misrule reaching a career milestone as he earned his 50th victory.

Lord Of Misrule traded in his recent bridesmaid status in favour of winner's circle glory, securing his latest win after settling for runner-up placings in nine of his 14 appearances this season.

Scoring from post three, the McArdle-Ribbons And Bows gelding arrived at the open-air fairground paddock with his game-face on, leaving smartly from the gate at driver Heath Campbell’s request, and winning an early tussle for supremacy with Cotton On N (Kevin Switzer Jr).

Charging through a brisk opening panel in :28, Campbell imperceptibly deadened the pace to a reasonable :58.3 midway clocking, providing his willing charge the briefest of respites as the duo switched strategies from power to guile.

Challengers came and challengers were dispatched as Lord Of Misrule reigned supreme on point. Turning for home and thundering down the lane, the class-master refused to be headed, extending out to a 1-3/4-length margin at the wire, timed in a seasonal best 1:58. Cotton On N stayed for second and Bit Of Luck (Andy Harrington) won the show battle.

Lord Of Misrule, who is currently owned and trained by Steven Vafiades, elevated his career bankroll to $791,531 with the landmark win.

“He’s great to work with in the barn but oh boy, does he put a game-face on in the paddock,” said Kim Vafiades. “Once the harness goes on, he gets a little cranky as he amps himself up for the upcoming race and he always gives his all.

“He loves turnout more than any other horse I’ve ever had and loves his 'dirt baths.' He’s one of those horses who can roll all the way over from side to side and when he gets turned out, he does it repeatedly. It’s so good for him and his attitude.”

Windsor’s nine-day race meet continues on a daily basis through Labour Day with the exception of Wednesday, Aug. 27, which will be dark. Weekend post times will be at 1 p.m. while the weekday cards will commence at 3 p.m. Windsor’s marquee events, the $15,000 USD Windsor Fair Invitational Pace and the $10,000 USD T.R. Dillon Logging Open Trot, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 30 and Monday, Sept. 1, respectively.

(With files from Maine Sire Stakes & Windsor Fair; photo of Chasing Dudes winning on Aug. 24)