Augusta, ME — The officers and directors of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association are pleased to announce a new mare incentive program which will provide up to $30,000 of payments in lieu of stud fees for mares bred to a Maine stallion during the 2023 breeding season.

Mares and owners new to the program and/or the state will be given preference over current resident mares, with a total of 15 registered broodmares that are bred to a Maine stallion being eligible to the program.

“We are excited to support bringing new Standardbred mares into the state of Maine,” noted MSBOA director Rhoda Underhill. “This program helps in many ways as it will increase the size of our foal population, as well as benefit the stallion owners with increased bookings.”

The additional resultant foals should also help increase and strengthen the level of participation in Maine Sire Stakes events for years to come.

For more information, and to download the applicable forms, click here.

In other news, the Pine Tree State-bred glamour boys were at it again, tearing up the racing strip at Bangor on Wednesday (July 12) in two $15,142 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Luke McGook coasted to his fourth consecutive victory. Thomas Smith photo.

Continuing his domination, Luke McGook coasted to his fourth consecutive victory in the first early, non-wagering race.

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., the sophomore son of Rock N’ Roll World sat a perfect pocket trip behind pacesetter Colt Bennett (Bruce Ranger-David Crochere) to tip out in the stretch and draw off by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:58.1. Colt Bennett finished second; Two Points (Drew Campbell-Eric Bickmore) was third.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was his 12th lifetime victory. Luke McGook was bred in Maine by Erika Saucier.

In the second $15,142 event, So Rock N’ Roll grabbed his second stakes victory of the season, scoring in the identical 1:58.1 time as his stablemate. Driven by Walter Case Jr. for trainer Tardif, the son of Western Maverick won from off the pace for owner-breeder Leighton Property.

Mattucci (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) cut the mile while Wicked Scorchah (Drew Campbell-David Crochere) had a two-hole journey into a :28.1 opening panel. However, at the :59.2 half the latter jumped off stride, giving So Rock N’ Roll and Case clear access to that garden spot after being first over.

The victor made his move at the head of the stretch to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Mattucci. Facemaskrequired (Mike Stevenson-Tardif) finished third.

Maine-bred 2- and 3-year-old pacing fillies return to historic Bass Park on Friday (July 14). Over the weekend, the 2-year-old pacing colts visit Cumberland on Saturday (July 15), with all divisions of trotters racing at Bangor on Sunday (July 16) for more Maine Sire Stakes events.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their new website at www.mainesirestakes.com.