Cumberland, ME — The Tardif Taskforce swept both $15,209 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Cumberland on Saturday (July 1).
In the first division, which was contested before the regular card, Kevin Switzer Jr. sent Luke McGook right to the front from post four and controlled the tempo into opening panels of 29.2 and 1:00.4. At the half, Bruce Ranger driving Colt Bennett took a shot at the leader and had come first-over through the 1:30.2 three-quarters to grab the lead.
Seemingly home free, Ranger wasn’t counting on Switzer and Luke McGook digging in for one final rally to retake a half-length lead and the victory in 1:59.4. Mattucci (Aaron Hall/Valerie Grondin) finished third.
Owned by Leighton Property and trained by Marc Tardif, the sophomore son of Rock N’ Roll World picked up the 11th win of his career. He was bred by Erika Saucier.
In the second $15,209 division, the Tardif Taskforce was back at it again with four of the seven entrants in the Maine-bred sophomore pace.
Twice The Ice (Andy Harrington) started from pylon position but had to negotiate a retake as stablemate Anythingforyoudear (Switzer Jr.) had grabbed the early lead. With the first quarter in :29, Harrington finally took command and settled down into a :59.2 half.
With a quickening of the tempo, Twice The Ice was well in command at the 1:28.1 third panel and began to draw off under mild urging to score by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:58, a new lifetime best. So Rock N’ Roll (Walter Case Jr./Marc Tardif) finished second; Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall/Valerie Grondin) was third.
Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, the son of Deuce Seelster picked up his first win of the season. He was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.
The Maine Sire Stakes visits Bangor on Sunday (July 2) for two $14,684 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies; first post is 12:15 p.m.
Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes originally scheduled for Union Fair have been moved to Bangor (July 26) and Cumberland (July 28).
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, visit their website.