Undefeated phenom Snowonthepines leads two fields of three-year-old filly pacers as stakes season gets underway on Saturday, June 13 at Cumberland Raceway.

The much-anticipated event marks the first $15,209 USD rounds of Maine Sire Stakes action, which is the start of the 18-week season of New England’s premier harness racing showcase.

With up to 10 legs for each division throughout the summer and autumn months, the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes program has been promoting and providing a venue for Pine Tree State Standardbreds since the legislative establishment of the series in 1972.

While the program has evolved over the last 50 years, so has the speed and durability of the Maine-bred harness horse.  While it is not uncommon to see horses by Maine sires competing throughout North America, New England drivers and trainers are also making a name for themselves on the National stage.  In fact, Maine-native Jason Bartlett was voted the U.S. Harness Writers' Dan Patch Driver of the Year in 2025.

Snowonthepines, last year’s undisputed Maine two-year-old pacing filly champion steps into her first seasonal stakes competition off a pair of qualifiers for trainer Marc Tardif and owner-breeder Leighton Property.  The daughter of Dudes The Man won all nine of her races at two, including the lucrative $119,371 final.

Regular driver Kevin Switzer Jr. gets the call for the 9-5 favourite from post five, as the dominant distaff appears to be just as comfortable off a helmet as on the front end.  Her $136,789 in 2025 earnings are a testament to the rich funds available in the Pine Tree State-bred program, as well as the talent of this filly.

Her primary threat comes from the pylon positioned Ekorus (2-1, Nick Graffam) who is the home-bred property of trainer Mike Graffam with Martha Holden as partner.  The daughter of Cheyenne Hollywood was eight times 1-2-3 in 10 seasonal outings at two, earning $74,330.  This $15,209 USD Maine Sire Stakes division is carded as race seven on the 12-race Cumberland card.

Each racing season the powerful ‘Tardif Taskforce’ enters the Maine Sire Stakes loaded with talent, and once again this year is no exception.  They also have the favourite in the third race, the first $15,209 division, named Dudelookslikeafily (PP5, 2-1, Aaron Hall). Owned by Leighton Property and Victoria Leighton the daughter of Dudes The Man won her last start at Bangor in an overnight race and was bred by horsewoman and photographer Stephanie Gray.

The co-second choice in race four is the Graceofspaces (PP1, 5-2, Dave Ingraham) who is a Western Maverick full sister to former Maine champion Gowestyounggrace.  Owned, bred and trained by Fred Ward Jr. and Sharon Ward, the younger ‘Grace’ is seeking her first trip to the winner's circle.

Scoring from post four is Heymickeyyousofine (Heath Campbell), the other 5-2 pick in that division.  A true family affair, the daughter of Dudes The Man was bred by Kimberly Vafiades, is trained by Steven Vafiades, and is owned by Jason Vafiades.  She earned just over $27,000 last year and was a consistent earner with checks in nearly all nine of her contests.

First post at Cumberland on Saturday is 12:15 pm.

Looking ahead, Bangor hosts the three-year-old colt pacers on Wednesday, June 17, followed by the three-year-old trotters on Sunday, June 21.

(Maine Sire Stakes)