Bangor, ME — Two fields of six sophomore male pacers highlight the first $32,832 round of Maine Sire Stakes action at Bangor on Wednesday (June 12), which marks the start of the 18-week season of New England’s premier harness racing showcase.

With up to ten legs for each division throughout the summer and autumn months, and with significant purse increases, 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 on the national stage.

Last year’s champion freshman pacer, Hesjustadelight, makes his seasonal debut in the $16,416 second division. Thomas Smith photo.

Last year’s champion freshman pacer, Hesjustadelight, makes his seasonal debut in the $16,416 second division of two betting events which opens the program at historic Bass Park at 3 p.m.

Trained, driven and co-owned by Ron Cushing, the sophomore son of Western Maverick earned $74,067 last year at 2 for co-owner and breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe along with partners Anthony and Joseph Romanelli. He scores from post four and has been listed as the 7-2 second choice behind a 1-5 morning line favored ownership entry from the Marc Tardif Stable.

The powerful ‘Tardif Taskforce’ annually enters the Maine Sire Stakes loaded for bear, and this year is no exception. Their horse Two Fold Cold has drawn the pylon position for the second race, and will look for redemption, having finished second by a mere length to Hesjustadelight in last year’s $51,023 Maine Sire Stakes final at Cumberland. The 3-year-old son of Deuce Seelster has already equaled his lifetime best of 1:59.4 a few weeks ago, and has been installed as the 1-5 heavy favorite with Walter Case Jr. driving, along with his ownership entrymate Ella V Fella (post six, Kevin Switzer Jr.).

In the first $16,416 division Justcallmebuck gets the oddsmaker’s call at 2-1. The Deuce Seelster sophomore already has a win and a second on his card this season for trainer Gary Hall and driver Heath Campbell.

Tardif sends out the second and third choices in Wes’s Challenge (5-2, Case) and Arts Flight (3-1, Switzer), the latter coming off a win at Cumberland a few weeks ago.

Click here for the entries for the opening leg of the Maine Sires Stakes.

Looking ahead, Saturday’s (June 15) Cumberland program has two $16,196 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies, which are slated as races one and three on the regular card. First post is 3:15 p.m.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, go to their new website.