Maine-Bred Sophomores Come To Cumberland

Three-year-old Maine-bred pacers invade the Cumberland Fair on Wednesday for the penultimate $18,000-plus legs of the Maine Breeders Stakes.

With the 150th Cumberland Fair in full swing, the colts and the fillies each have their own division at the iconic Southern Maine oval, with both events being raced ‘on the card.’

The Tardif Taskforce is out in force with three of the six entrants in the $18,554 MSBS three-year-old colt and gelding pace hailing from their large contingent.  The Mark Tardif-owned entry of Storm Artist (Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Deal With It Roman (Walter Case Jr.) leave from Post 1 and Post 4 respectively.  The coupled betting interests have been installed as the 5-2 favourite.

Storm Artist is still looking for that elusive first seasonal victory, where stable mate Deal With It Roman has five wins and is tied for second place in the points standings with Bandolito Blaze (Heath Campbell / Valerie Grondin) who will score from Post 5.

Daughtry (Ron Cushing / Heidi Gibbs) rounds out the top three contenders, and is listed at 7-2 from Post 2.

The Tardiff Taskforce is prominently positioned for the $18,972 MSBS three-year-old filly pace as well, securing three of seven posts in the competitive crusade.  With divisional leaders Pembroke Legacy and Wolverina skipping this week, this group should enjoy greater diversity at the finish wire.

Tardiff’s ownership entry of Wicked Kissa (Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Um Erika (Dan Deslandes) lead the charge, with the former looking for her first seasonal victory and the latter having found the winners circle just once this year.

The most accomplished of the bunch is Sweet Baby G (Walter Case, Jr. / Fred Ward, Jr.) who is coming off a win at Farmington last week.  She will have to tangle with CBF Fin (Dave Ingraham / David Crochere) who was race timed in 1:56.2 on Sunday while racing against tougher foes in the Massachusetts Sire Stakes.

The Maine-bred racing continues with the three-year-old trotters on Thursday (Sept. 29) at Cumberland, which is also the site of the $240,000-plus Maine Breeders Stakes two-year-old finals on Saturday (Oct. 1).

 The final stop on the Pine Tree State fair circuit is historic Fryeburg, Oct 6–8.  The Maine-sired sophomore finale returns to Bangor for all of the three-year-old MSBS divisional finals on Oct. 15. 

(Maine Breeders Stakes)