Breeding in Maine

[Love For Animals]

I hope people seriously think twice before breeding for the Maine Sire Stakes Program. If you are a small stable or a new owner you will be at a significant disadvantage. The large stables, specifically three, basically control it all. It is impossible to make any changes to benefit anyone other than those stables. The Executive Director talks a big talk but then backs down and blames everyone but himself. Other states don't get push back from trainers, but Maine allows trainers to run the racing program. This needs to end. Until Maine gets strong leadership in Augusta, nothing will change.

[dougie]

As a Mainer, i agree with  you 100%! The state of harness racing in Maine is far from what we watched during it's "Glory Days".  Little to no attendance, no real handle to talk of, and interest from young people almost non-existant, there is no incentive for anyone to jump into "The Game". here.  The Fair racing is fun and the food is always great. But racing is on the decline here in the Pine Tree State. Very sad indeed.

[Fuguzzi]

I hit at least 3 Maine fairs annually, try to mix them up. I am aware of what you are saying, but I still love Maine harness racing.

[7minuteAbz]

Tardif is loaded, and Ivan and Heath Grondin also do well up there

[Fuguzzi]

In cant recall. Who owns the Pembroke outfit?

[Lance]

I did a little breeding in Maine before and probably wouldn't recommend it either.

[Generation XYZ]

I did a little breeding in Maine before and probably wouldn't recommend it either.

Didnt like the scratchy beard? 

[Love For Animals]

My understanding is the Executive Director, which is of Harness Racing, nothing to do with breeders association, has suggested a few things for fairness competition but when he gets push back from certain trainers, he folds like a ping pong table. Got to have someone who can make decisions regardless of the whining and complaining.

[moelarrythecheese]

In cant recall. Who owns the Pembroke outfit?

I think it's William Varney.

[Fuguzzi]

Correct  TY   PembrokeBoogie - 2012 Keyed the biggest pick 3 ticket i ever cashed with a horse I owned in another leg. took out over 4.5 k on rolling pick3s just days before Christmass that year - HOHOHO You might remember her, she had no tail.

[dougie]

It's a losing proposition if a "average" guy wants to breed to a Maine stallion. I have always felt the breeding game was kind of "slanted" to those few people who control the farms. As i stated earlier, i think Harness Racing is barely hanging on here in Maine. And while i love the "Fair" racing at Cumberland, Windsor, and Fryeburg, there is little to cheer about for the future of this great sport in the "Pine Tree State".

[Fuguzzi]

They rock and roll at Union and Skowhegan too. Great places to bet. I have never not made money. Inside posts, live drivers and watch those warm ups and score downs. Always good value somehow.

[theokodjak26]

My parents told me I was the result of their breeding in Maine. This worked pretty well for all concerned. Just saying…..

[Fuguzzi]

Cute. i think I was made at the Whitestone Drivein in the Bronx. If i wasn't, my Dad sure as Hell tried

[Locked in with pace]

I see that nearly 70% of the pacing race favorites within the pacing classes are owned by one owner with one trainer. Also a huge % of the entries in all the fields is the same. Definitely not a good sign for long-term success in a sire stakes program. History has shown that once these horses are over with their stakes, their success in overnights is minimal. Minimal pacing sires ( like 2) surely won't help a program succeed. Changes will have to be made if they want the program to gain popularity or even survive.