Skowhegan, ME — Maine-bred 2-year-old pacers closed out the week of harness racing at the Skowhegan State Fair in grand fashion, with distaff sidesteppers going two $14,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes divisions on Friday (Aug. 18) and their male counterparts mimicking that pattern on Saturday (Aug. 19).

Marc Tardif’s barn swept the 2-year-old colt and gelding paces on Saturday, sending Wes’s Challenge and Two Fold Cold to the winner’s circle.

In the first Maine Sire Stakes, conducted as a $14,487 non-betting event, driver Walter Case Jr. sent Wes’s Challenge first-over into a soft 1:02 half to challenge stablemate Thru The Fire (Andy Harrington). At the 1:32.4 third panel, Gary Hall had gone three-deep with his Justcallmebuck and poked a nose in front of the pacesetter. But Case had other ideas and sent the son of Deuce Seelster on a beeline for the finish wire and prevailed in 2:05.1 by a half length. Justcallmebuck held on for second; Thru The Fire was third.

Wes’s Challenge, who was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall, earned his second sire stakes victory of the season for owner Leighton Property.

In the $14,486 second division, Two Fold Cold (Kevin Switzer Jr.) shot out for an early lead and never looked back, grabbing his second win in a row in 2:02.4 while equaling his lifetime mark for owner-trainer Marc Tardif and completing a breeding sweep for the Halls.

Two Fold Cold grabbed his second stakes race in a row. Stephanie Gray photo.

Hesjustadelight finished second (Ron Cushing-Heidi Gibbs); Stretch It Donn was third (Case-Tardif).

Rookie fillies enjoyed two divisions on Friday (Aug. 18) with Who’s Perfect remaining perfect in her last two outings. The daughter of Western Maverick traded places with initial pacesetter Mrs Foxy Roxy (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) and took over at the half before coasting home in a new lifetime best of 2:01.3. Mrs Foxy Roxy was second; My Sweet Revenge (Case Jr.-Tardif) finished third.

Heath Campbell drove Who’s Perfect for trainer Valerie Grondin and the partnership of Dick and Patty McKeen and breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

The final $14,487 division was Friday’s opener on the regular card, and it witnessed Gowestyounggrace ($6.20) score from off the pace in a lifetime best 2:02 for driver Dave Ingraham and owner-trainer-breeder Fred Ward Jr. with Sharon Ward. Favorite Ghost Of You (Switzer-Tardif) finished second; Animore Sass (Harrington-Tardif) was third.

Maine Sire Stakes racing resumes at the Windsor Fair on Aug. 27. For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, visit the program website.