Two fields of three-year-old filly pacers highlight the first round of Maine Sire Stakes at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday, June 14, which marks 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 has been promoting and providing a venue for Pine Tree State Standardbreds since the legislative establishment of the program in 1972.
While the series 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.
The first $11,451 USD division has Lysiun as the 8-5 morning line favourite based upon a swift 1:55.2 maiden-breaking romp at Plainridge Park a few weeks ago. The sophomore daughter of Dudes The Man is trained by Heidi Cushing, owned by her driver Ron Cushing and was bred in Maine by Lynne-Marie Plouffe.
The most seasoned lass of the bunch is Leanne Marie (5-2, Mike Cushing), who crossed the wire first in last season’s $102,461 Maine Sire Stakes final but was placed second for interference. The daughter of Artistic Fella amassed $65,952 in 10 starts while finishing the season with a 2-3-2 summary. She is trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing, who co-owns with Pamela Smith and Jane DiPompo.
The powerful ‘Tardif Taskforce’ annually enters the Maine Sire Stakes loaded for bear and, once again, this year is no exception. They have two fillies in the first division and another pair in the second division. Marc Tardif is the breeder of record on three of four and owns three as well.
While some of the Tardif entrants may need a few more starts under their belts to really shine, Whisper Of Luck appears to be ready for action and is the 2-1 early favourite in the second $11,626 division with McGwire Sowers listed to drive. The daughter of Artistic Fella earned $52,020 last season and is poised to pick right up where she left off.
From pylon position, Audry (3-1, Steve Wilson) is looking for her first victory for trainer Charlene Cushing. The daughter of Deuce Seelster earned $63,177 last year, despite finishing no better than third -- on four occasions -- in her 11-race season.
In addition, the tough Dudes The Man filly Glorilla (3-1, Ron Cushing) has had plenty of tighteners leading up to this event and will be a threat from the middle of the pack.
Looking ahead, the Sunday, June 15 program at Bangor has three $11,000+ USD divisions for three-year-old trotters. Two of which will be raced before the regular card at 11:30 a.m., and the third in race three on the regular card with a first post of 12:10 p.m.
(Maine Sire Stakes; photo of Whisper Of Luck from a previous win)