The husband and wife team of driver Heath Campbell and trainer Valerie Grondin enjoyed a sweep of the divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday, July 15 with a pair of sophomore trotters.

In the first $20,293 division for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings, the current point leader Wilder N Idy (March Athearn) made an uncharacteristic miscue in the early going, giving Campbell plenty of racetrack for Guss Workout to blast out to a 10-length advantage over the only other competitor in the race, Trottinfortreasure (Kevin Switzer Jr.). After early fractions of :28.4 and :59.1, the son of Whataworkout-Bibbidi Boo never had an anxious moment and continued to lead the field by open lengths. Following a 1:29 third panel, Campbell eased the trotter home in 2:00.3, shaving nearly five seconds off of the gelding’s previous time badge. Trottingfortreasure finished 15 lengths behind in second with Wilder N Idy a distant third in the early, non-wagering event.

Owned and bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe of Saco, Maine, Guss Workout broke his maiden in his 14th career start after hitting the board on nine other occasions. He's earned just shy of $100,000 lifetime.

In the second $21,494 Pine Tree State-bred event for three-year-old trotting fillies, freshman filly champ Pembroke Lady found her previous form and made it to the winner’s circle for the first time this season. Campbell wasted little time putting the daughter of Pembroke Slugger-Pembroke Mystery on the point and led the field into a soft :31.2 opening panel. On top by three lengths with the rest of the trotting fillies tracking along single file, Pembroke Lady took her followers through a 1:03.4 midway marker and likewise into the 1:34.1 third station. With no pressure in sight, she strode home on top by 4-1/4 lengths in 2:04.2, a new lifetime mark. Our Last Quote (Mike Cushing) finished second and I Think I Can (John Nason) was third in the second non-wagering race. Leading divisional point earner, Hayden (Gary Hall), was one of two early breakers in the field of five and also was not a factor.

Owned by Brenda Varney of Bangor, Maine, Pembroke Lady earned her ninth lifetime victory from a dozen starts and increased her bankroll to $154,823.

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland hosts all the two-year-old trotters who will be making their pari-mutuel debut on Friday, July 17. Over the weekend, Cumberland will also present the two-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday, July 18 with Bangor featuring the three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday, July 19.

(With files from Maine Sire Stakes; photo of Guss Workout winning on July 15)