Maine’s $475,000-plus freshman finals were contested on Saturday, Sept. 27 and provided fans with the most lucrative slate of harness races to be held at the Cumberland Fair this year.

Under sunny skies the grandstand was packed with fans eager to witness the next generation of Standardbred stars that are born and bred in the Pine Tree State.  The action did not disappoint as the unbeaten two-year-old phenom Real Horrorshow (pictured above) led every step of the way to capture his $119,371 Maine Sire Stakes two-year-old colt and gelding pace final in 2:00.

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Kevin Switzer Sr. and owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., the son of Dudes The Man never had an anxious moment as he prevailed by 4-1/2 open lengths. Mias Boy (Mark Athearn) finished second; Daytoremember (Heath Campbell) was third.

Bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum, Real Horrorshow paid $2.40 to win as the heavy favourite, taking his ninth consecutive win of the season, and retaining his unblemished record and boosting his earnings to $136,968.

Another unbeaten star, Snowonthepines, entered the $119,371 pacing filly final with her eight-race win streak on the line, and did not disappoint.

Switzer Jr. sent the daughter of Dudes The Man out to an early lead and never looked back as the rest of the tracked along obediently behind the divisional standout. However, down the stretch the pocket sitting Just Delightful (Ron Cushing) took her shot at the pacesetter, but Snowonthepines maintained a half-length advantage at the wire, tripping the timer in 2:02. Ekorus (Nick Graffam) finished third.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner/breeder Leighton Property, the 1-9 favourite paid $2.20 to win the ninth straight start of her illustrious season, with $136,789 earned.

Switching over to the diagonally gaited set, Pembroke Lady scored a front-end victory in her $119,317 split for frosh trotting fillies.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger held the pocket briefly after the start as Hayden (Gary Hall) assumed the point. Down the backstretch the first time Campbell brushed to the lead to gain control the tempo with the 3-5 favourite.

Past the half Pembroke Lady made every call a winning one as the field stacked up in the outer flow in an attempt to reel in the leader and avoid early breakers.  Our Last Quote (Steve Wilson) challenged first over at the third station but failed to gain any significant ground on the pacesetter.

Down the stretch the pocket sitting Hayden tipped out and had one last surge and finished within a half-length of the divisional leader Pembroke Lady in 2:06, with Our Last Quote hanging on for third.

Owned by Brenda Varney and bred by the late Bill Varney, Pembroke Lady picked up her eighth win of the season, increasing her bankroll to $137,025. She returned $3.20 to her supporters.

In the $118,876 division for rookie trotting colts and geldings, it was the heavy favourite Wilder N Idy who misbehaved behind the starting gate but managed to pull himself together and keep his mind on business through the remaining stations and rolled to a 5-3/4 length romp in 2:04.2.

Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn, the son of To The Hilt paid $2.20.  Wilder N Idy is owned by Patrick Leavitt and increased his seasonal kitty to $146,496.  Bred by the late Mike Andrew, he completed his Maine Sire Stakes season with eight wins in nine starts.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers on the program, scoring four times, including two sire stakes finals.

The final racing date of the Cumberland Fair meet is Sunday, Sept. 28.

(with files from Cumberland)