Cumberland, ME — Three-year-old pacers continued their trek around the Union (ME) Fair oval on Wednesday (July 27) and Thursday (July 28) as the Maine Breeders Stakes concluded four days of harness racing action at the historic agricultural showcase.

Sophomore pacing filly Pembroke Legacy continued to build up her own inheritance as the daughter of Baron Biltmore has been unstoppable in her five legs of the Maine-sired series.

Pembroke Legacy won in 2:00.3 by 9-3/4 lengths. Shelley Gilpatrick photo.

On Thursday in the $11,461 first division, driver Heath Campbell sent Pembroke Legacy right to the front from post four and never looked back. Cruising through well-rated fractions, the fast filly opened up an additional seven lengths in the stretch to win in 2:00.3 by 9-3/4 lengths. Trained by Valerie Grondin, Pembroke Legacy is owned and was bred by Bill Varney, paying $2.20 to win as the heavy favorite. Wicked Kissa finished second and Mach Royal was third.

In the second $11,461 division for 3-year-old pacing fillies, fans witnessed another wire-to-wire rout by Wolverina, who posted her third victory in four MSBS starts. Driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Mike Graffam, the daughter of Cheyenne Hollywood won by 5-3/4 lengths in 1:59.2. The clocking equaled her seasonal best on the half-mile circuits of Maine. Wolverina was bred by Mike Graffam who retained ownership with Bill Arnold. She paid $3.00 to win. Sweet Baby G finished second and CBF Fin was third.

On Wednesday (July 27), Daughtry belted out his own tune of triumph, winning his $11,477 Maine Breeders Stake for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings. Driven by his owner Ron Cushing, and trained by Heidi Gibbs, the sophomore son of Western Maverick had never missed a check in four previous MSBS events, winning his first event of the season in 2:01.4. Daughtry was bred by Kevin Sywyk. Ugotaearnyrstripes finished second and Use Yah Blinkah was third.

In the $11,702 second MSBS division for 3-year-old male pacers, Bandolito Blaze enjoyed a perfect pocket trip to get his first stakes win of the year in 2:00.1. Driven by Heath Campbell and trained by Valerie Grondin, the son of Western Maverick was also bred by Grondin, who shares ownership with Rhoda Underhill. Bandolito Blaze paid $7.40 to win. Ranaldi cut the mile and hung on for second and Stormin Maverick was third.

The Maine Breeders Stakes continues at the historic Bass Park in Bangor, with the 3-year-old pacers racing Wednesday (Aug. 3) and then the series transitions over to Topsham for five days of racing beginning Sunday (Aug. 7) and continuing through Saturday (Aug. 13).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to the Maine State website.