Hesjustadelight cruises in Maine Sire Stakes

BANGOR, ME – Hesjustadelight (Western Maverick) made his first lifetime stakes race a memorable one, cruising to victory in the $14,598 Maine-sired 2-year-old colt and gelding harness racing pace at Bangor Raceway on Friday (July 7).

Co-owned and driven by Ron Cushing, Hesjustadelight scored from post position four in the early non-wagering event, and when the wings closed, he remained in fourth past a 29.2 opening panel.

Thru The Fire (Andrew Harrington) was one of three entrants from the Marc Tardif stable, and from pylon position that son of Western Maverick cut the fractions.  With no movement through a 1:00.2 breather, and with Oakleypopsthedeuce (David Ingraham-Anthony Urbanowicz) remaining in the two-hole, Cushing popped Hesjustadelight first over into a 1:31 third panel.

By the head of the stretch Cushing had cleared the top and was able to cruise to a 1-3/4 length victory in 2:02.1 with his whip tucked over his shoulder.

Trained by Heidi Gibbs and owned by the partnership of Cushing, Lynn-Marie Plouffe, Anthony and Joseph Romanelli, he was also bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

Oakleypopsthedeuce rallied for second money; Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) finished third.

The freshman trotters visit Cumberland on Saturday (July 8) for two Maine Sire Stakes worth a combined $27,800-plus in purses.  The early action starts before the regular card at 2:00 pm.  3-year-old trotters enjoy two $13,500 divisions at Bangor on Sunday (July 9) with an early 11:45 am post time.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their new website:

For complete race results, .

by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes