Windsor, ME — Team Tardif’s Two Fold Cold has provided his connections with an emotional roller coaster this season. Winning the fastest $14,487 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts on Saturday (Sept. 2) at the Windsor Fair is only part of the story.

The son of Deuce Seelster is trained and owned by Marc Tardif, who, together with his wife, Peggy, comprises one of the most heavily armed forces in the Maine Standardbred Breeders program. With a horse or three in just about every division, the Tardifs work hard at racing horses and supporting Maine Standardbreds.

It’s no surprise that with several dozen horses in the barn that one may become a ‘project horse.’ With a habit of breaking stride, the raucous freshman has good speed but a tendency to do things his own way.

But, despite ‘running’ at, or near, the start in two of his last three outings, the gelding still has managed to win decisively on each occasion. Saturday was another ‘case in point’ with the uncertainty surrounding Two Fold Cold’s behavior.

Two Fold Cold picked up his third straight win in the Maine Sire Stakes. Stephanie Gray photo.

With an inconsistent and hair-pulling early bobble, he got back pacing right away, settling into third position while back seven lengths. Coming first-over after the half, he had caught the field and was poised for the top at the third panel.

By the head of the stretch, Two Fold Cold had taken command, and he then drew off to give himself a new lifetime mark of 1:59.4, winning by 3-3/4 lengths for regular handler Kevin Switzer Jr. Hesjustadelight (Ron Cushing) finished second; Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.) was third.

Bred by Gary and Kristina Hall, Two Fold Cold now has three wins in seven lifetime starts, with earnings of $23,233.

Team Tardif swept the 2-year-old pacing colts division with their own Thru The Fire, who also picked up a new lifetime mark for owner Leighton Property. Andy Harrington drove the son of Western Maverick to a wire-to-wire victory in a career best 2:02.4 — Thru The Fire’s second career win but first Maine Sire Stakes triumph. Justcallmebuck (Gary Hall) finished second; Stretch It Donn (Case) was third.

Racing continues at Windsor when Maine-bred trotters converge on Sunday (Sept. 3). Sophomore filly pacers close out the meet on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 4).

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