Four qualifying races went postward under sunny skies at the Gil Crest Training Center in Bell, Florida on Saturday, April 12, giving fans, owners and trainers a first look at some of this season’s Standardbred stars.
Many of Maine’s finest were harnessed and ready for action as the Pine Tree State faithful head north in the coming weeks to prepare for the upcoming Maine Sire Stakes. Trainers Valerie Grondin and Mark Tardif, two well-known fixtures on the Maine circuit, had their charges fit and ready to race.
In the first race Heath Campbell showed Emma Rozze, a four-year-old daughter of Artistic Fella, cruised to a length victory for owner, trainer, breeder Valerie Grondin and co-owner William Underhill.
Owner, trainer and driver Jim McIlmurry scored by four with Crypto Currency in the second dash, winning in 2:02.4. The five-year-old son of International Moni was bred by Winbak Farm.
Team Tardif hooked up the next two winners, with Two Fold Cold — the undefeated Maine Sire Stakes sophomore pacing champion of 2024 — taking driver Doug Gray on a five-length victory tour of the Gil Crest oval in a snappy 1:59.3. The four-year-old son of Deuce Seelster (pictured above) earned $192,079 last season and posted an unblemished 12-for-12 record. Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, he was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall, and posted the fastest win time of the day.
The finale was won by another Tardif stalwart, Deal With It Roman, up by a measured length in 2:01.2. Driven by Steve LaCasse, the six-year-old son of Western Maverick was bred, and is owned and trained by Marc Tardif.
(with files from Gil Crest Training Center)