On the Richter scale of glamour, training harness horses probably doesn't budge the needle. Training harness horses requires hard work, dedication, commitment. That's just to start. It also helps to have some experience, especially with frustration. Anyone who possesses these attributes qualifies.

Ivan Davies trains harness horses at the Cumberland Fairgrounds. He also drives them. But the challenge comes from the conditioning, the rigging, the hours spent trying to teach young horses discipline and manners. If he can accomplish that, then maybe, just maybe, he can get those horses to the races and earn some money. Maybe.

Though Ivan trains a full variety of racehorses, he focuses on Maine-breds because, as he says about the program, "it's not a hidden jewel any longer, but it's a good value regarding the purchase of Maine-bred yearlings.

The operating costs to earnings potential area  tremendous value," Davies continues, "with perhaps the exception of the three year-old colts. Everything else offers a possibility.

When asked whether he would prefer to deal with the unraced many or the racing few, he said, "I'd buy the stakes horse. A $3,000 claimer will only pay its way, if it is good enough  Put the money into a yearling because the potential return is far greater. In two years off racing that horse will race for purses  totaling $300,000. And those colts are the same to look after as a $3,000 claimer. That cheap claimer, if it races for two years, will only go for purses around $100,000 total."

From the foregoing it would seem like owning a stakes horse makes better economic sense. And the beauty of that animal is the sky really is the limit. If the person is fortunate enough to have a horse that dominates its class, then he sees a sizeable income potential.

This year Davies has three Sires Stakes animals competing: the two year-old Willin Dylan, the three year-old colt, Quinn Quickly and the three year-old filly A Capella Bella.

Each of these individuals offers something different to their trainer and owners. Let Davies describe the differences.

"A Capella Bella is good-gaited and well-disciplined. She went through a growth spurt last year, so we only raced her twice, then quit with her to give her a chance to develop properly." It looks like that strategy worked as Bella remains undefeated on the season.

"Willin's future looks pretty good," said Davies. "Though I don't believe he has hit his top end yet, he still remains ahead of the field right now."

"Quinn Quickly has hit the toughest bunch of Maine-breds I think I have ever seen. No horse will dominate this division, I don't believe, but you never know."

In those few descriptions, Davies characterizes his charges. What he left unsaid is that each of these racehorses can earn upwards  of $50,000 this year, perhaps more. It seems then that owning a Maine-bred just might prove worthwhile.

BITS, BOOTS & BRIDLES:  Scarborough Downs seems intent on both longevity and record-setting. Witness, for example, the achievement of the seven year-old, Whitlock N, a horse owned, trained and driven by Kevin Switzer. The horse made his 200th lifetime start and won for the 42nd time. Better than an annuity, Kevin . . . also at the Downs, Jennies Jammies, a four year-old mare, owned by Sharon Proctor and Frank Ward, Jr. (also the trainer) equaled the track record for 4 y-o trotting mares, going in the time of 2:00, a record that has gone equaled since 1993 . . .  Joey Mosher just celebrated his 1,000th career victory while driving at Topsham . . . Adam Hurley is only 999 behind him, posting his first win also at Topsham . . . Bad Boy Bill recently set the track trotting standard at Topsham, touring the oval in 2:00.2 . . . this week the traveling road show has moved to Union Fairgrounds . . . the fair season goes until the end of the first week of October, culminating in Fryeburg . . . pay close attention to the Maine Sires Stakes results every week because each race in the separate categories seems to produce a new winner . . .