Cumberland, ME — The Maine Breeders Stakes have invaded the Union (ME) Fairgrounds this week, a practice that has occurred since the inception of the agricultural fair in 1869. Some 150 years later, they are still going strong in Knox County, Maine, and over the course of five days of harness racing, four days have held, or will include, sire stakes events for the Pine Tree State born and bred Standardbreds.

Tuesday’s (July 26) card included both $11,000-plus divisions of Maine Breeders Stakes for 3-year-old trotters.

Maplewood Slugger won a Maine Breeders Stake on Tuesday at Union Fair. Shelley Gilpatrick photo.

Prior to the pari-mutuel program the 3-year-old diagonally gaited filly group went postward with a field of six vying for the $11,761 purse. Trainer John Nason had two in the group, which finished one-two in the final outcome.

Nason drove his own Show No Tears, a CR Power Glide filly out from post five and took command just past the quarter pole. Stablemate Maplewood Slugger, the leading point earner in the division, was sitting pretty in the catbird seat through comfortable fractions for reinsman Andy Harrington.

At the head of the stretch, Harrington tipped the daughter of Pembroke Slugger and drew off to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:05.3, posting a :29.4 last quarter. Show No Tears hung on for second; Larryssisterlaura (Mark Athearn) was third.

Maplewood Slugger is owned and was bred by Maxine Hadlock.

On the betting card, Andrew Harrington was back at it again, this time winning the $11,739 MSBS for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings with Warriorofthevalley.

Scoring from post four, Harrington took advantage of the uncharacteristic miscue of wagering favorite Katahdin Mark (Gary Hall) and went right to the top. From that point Harrington and Warriorofthevalley had things their own way, coasting through well-rated panels to score in a leisurely 2:07.4.

Trained by Mark Tardif, the son of Pembroke Slugger is owned and was bred by Leighton Property. Warriorofthevalley paid $5.60 to win. Chamorro (Aaron Hall/Valerie Grondin) finished second; Wild Venture (Ivan Davies) was third.

On Sunday (July 24), Union Fair hosted two divisions for 2-year-old trotters.

The $11,134 MSBS for trotting fillies saw She’salilbitmouthy score for Team Athearn. Driven to a wire-to-wire, three length victory by Mark Athearn in 2:12, the daughter of Victor Blue Chip is owned by Bill Phipps and was bred by Stephen Hall.

A group of male trotters battled for $11,289 in purse money. Outlawofthevalley (Walter Case Jr./Mark Tardif) was 16 lengths behind the leader when the field passed the quarter pole. The son of Pembroke Slugger had caught the pack by the half and was seated third, back 4-1/2 lengths. By the head of the stretch Case and Outlawofthevalley moved up to be second and trotted down the lane unencumbered to grab victory from the jaws of defeat. Outlawofthevalley paid $4.40 to win in 2:10.2 for owner/breeder Leighton Property.

The Maine Breeders Stakes continues at the Union (ME) Fair, with the 3-year-old pacers racing Wednesday (July 27) and Thursday (July 28).

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