November 11, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Red hot reinsman Drew Campbell won four races at Cumberland (Maine) on Sunday (Nov. 10) including the $5,000 featured conditioned pace with Axion Hanover.

When the wings folded for the bright, early afternoon event the 4-5 favorite Art Scene was sent scurrying out for the lead by Walter Case Jr.  Longshot Through The Fence (26-1, Aaron Hall) begrudgingly yielded into a :27.2 opening panel, with the rest of the field strung out down the backstretch.  Case stepped on the breaks and led the tightening pack into a :59 half with Tobins Burke (7-2, Andy Harrington) first over, and Axion Hanover taking advantage of the live cover.

The pace hastened into a 1:27.1 third quarter, which prompted Campbell to tip Axion Hanover three-wide around the final turn as the front end started to stall.  With the momentum in his favor, the 5-year-old son of Betting Line strode home a 1-1/4 length winner in 1:57.1.

Trained by Mark Harris for owner Gayle Harris, it was Axion Hanover’s ninth win of the season, and third in a row.  Paying $10.40 to win, his lifetime earnings have now reached $85,365.

Tobins Burke finished second; Through The Fence picked up third.

Drew Campbell’s three additional victories on the card were: Reys N A Ruckus ($11.40, 1:58.2); Timbo Slice ($4.80, 1:57.4); and We’re Gonna Rock ($18.60, 2:00.2).

McGwire Sowers had three wins on the program including the Late Double, and Walter Case Jr. won the Daily Double.

Racing resumes on Saturday (Nov. 16), with First Tracks Cumberland’s Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoying weekend action throughout the month of November.  Then, Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 6.  The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.  The popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 21.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland

November 8, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Photo Credit: Rockingham Park Archives / Scott Oldeman)

CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland will honor the iconic and daring Maine harness driver Leigh Fitch with a memorial race on Saturday (Nov. 9).  The purse of $7,592 reflects the dash win total of his storied career, with a large contingent of family and friends expected to be on hand to pay homage to Fitch who passed away on Oct. 26 at the age of 79.

Journalist Jay Burns wrote, “his daring, rail-hugging driving style propelled him to 7,592 victories and more than anyone’s share of driving spills during a 53-year career. Fitch was one of the first great catch drivers in Maine, emerging a few years before Billy Parker Jr.”

Burns continued, “But speed and the front end were not what made Fitch famous in Maine. Instead, his style was iconoclastic, in keeping with his personality: independent, stubborn, and cagey. ‘I didn’t want to be like the others. I wanted to be myself.’ At a time when the perfect drive was the gentlemanly second-over trip described by Billy Haughton in the harness racing manual Care and Training of the Trotter and Pacer, Fitch’s insurgent style disrupted that model, gaining him the nickname ‘The Fox.’ Rarely flushed off the rail, Fitch instead was often a rail skimmer who mastered the art of anticipating the opening of a seam late in the mile, using athletic reflexes and exquisite timing to feed his horse open racetrack. Fitch once said that ‘winning was life or death for me,’ and his driving style, safe but daring, meant brushes with the latter. It was the era of the wooden hub rail, and any driver working the inside late in the mile needed steely nerves.”

The Leigh Fitch Memorial, slated as race eight, features a group of top class of ‘winners over’ pacers who have collectively earned over $1.17 million and three with sub-1:51 time badges.  The early morning line favorite is Hespoisedtopounce (3-2, Aaron Hall) who scores from post five.  Trained by Jimmy Nickerson for owners Tim Bojarski and Tony Gruppo, the 8-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight has two wins and eight checks in his last ten starts.

Inside of the favorite is Vel Letsroll South (5-2, McGwire Sowers) who is trained by Autym Robinson for Mo Coo Inc., and enters the fray off a win in his last start.  A horse who also warrants consideration is Denver Seelster (9-2, Nick Graffam) who leaves from pylon position for trainer Chris Dubois and owner Mary Fernald.

The presentation will be made by special guest Chaplain Lee Alphen from the Christian Harness Horsemen’s Assoc.

Of course, the entire program has a lot of action for horse players with eight events boasting full seven or eight horse fields.  The Pick 5 starts with the third race and has a $605 carryover; our Pick 4 highlights the seventh, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the tenth and final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

The action continues on Sunday (Nov. 10) with another 10-race card of full fields.

First Tracks Cumberland’s Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November.  Then, Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 6.  The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland

November 4, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Walter Case Jr. drove Hoosier Shark to a front-end victory in First Tracks Cumberland’s $5,500 feature on Sunday (Nov. 3), winning in 1:57.2 by a scant half a length, while Drew Campbell pushed his weekend win total to nine. 

Leaving from post three Case never saw the back of a helmet as he breezed through opening fractions of :27.3 and :59 before being challenged first over by Ranaldi into a 1:27.1 third panel.

Around the final turn Drew Campbell pulled Airspinder three-wide on the outside, while pocket-sitting Denver Seelster (Nick Graffam) ducked up the inside as the field straightened out for home.  Down the stretch Hoosier Shark was desperately looking for the finish wire as the swarm of would-be upsetters had him surrounded.

Hoosier Shark held his foes at bay for trainer Chris Lefebvre and owner Lonnie Lefebvre, as the 6-year-old son of Tellitlikeitis was the 9-5 second choice on the board behind the even-money favorite Ranaldi (Kevin Switzer Jr.).  He paid $5.80 to win.  Denver Seelster finished second; Airspinder was third.

In other action, Drew Campbell picked right up where he left off at Cumberland’s Winter Festival opener, winning four more races on Sunday, which gave the veteran driver nine scores over the 20-race weekend.

Once again, Campbell started the day off with a victory in the opener, steering Miki De Vie to a seven length romp in 1:58.1, a seasonal best. 

Owned by MLefebvre Racing and trained by Chris Lefebvre, the 4-year-old son of Always B Miki picked up his third win of the year, paying $5.20, and giving the connections a training double.

Campbell hit the daily double with Rose Run Slider in a wire-to-wire rout for trainer Mark Harris and owner Gayle Harris.  Tripping the time in 1:58.2, the 10-year-old son of Western Ideal got his seventh score of the season and paid $2.60.

Power Master gave Drew Campbell his third win on the card, and blew up the tote board in the process.  With heavy 1-9 favorite Lord Magnetic making a break behind the gate, Campbell let 38-1 longshot JK Lucky Charm (Walter Case Jr.) cut the fractions from post eight.  Tipping past the third stanza, Power Master at 80-1 rolled past the pacesetter and scored by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:59.2.

Trained by Christopher Dubois for owner Robert Kluchevitz, the 3-year-old son of Shadow Play acquired his fifth win of the year, paying a whopping $163.60 on a two-dollar ticket.

Drew Campbell got his fourth win of the early afternoon with Axion Hanover, winning in a gritty, rim-rolling fashion by a length in 1:58.2.

Campbell is now just 30 wins away from the 6,000 victory threshold.

For the fourth season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 21.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing, or have recently retired, and have Maine connections.  Horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter and be featured in a half-page bio with photograph in the program.  Equine honorees must be present to participate and need to ‘declare’ by Dec. 4.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

Racing resumes next Saturday (Nov. 9) and will feature the Leigh Fitch Memorial, and a $605 carryover in the Pick 5.  The live action continues on Sunday (Nov. 10). 

First Tracks Cumberland’s Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November.  Then, Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 6.  The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland

November 3, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – When Maine’s Winter Festival kicked off at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday (Nov. 2) veteran reinsman won half the races on the first of 19 Pine Tree State harness racing dates.

Winston ‘Drew’ Campbell, along with his younger brother of Heath Campbell, hail from the Canadian Maritime province of Nova Scotia, but have made Maine their home for the last several decades.  Both have over 5,000 wins and are always among the most sought after drivers on the competitive Maine circuit.

Closing in on another milestone, Drew Campbell added a handful of wins to bring his career dash total to 5,966.  The elder Campbell wasted little time getting to the Cumberland Raceway winners circle as the reined the winner of the first race on Saturday, Dancethebigdance N, to a 1:58.3 score in the opener.  Trained by Alex Richardson for owner Mary Fernald, the 6-year-old daughter of A Rocknroll Dance picked up her sixth win of the season, paying $2.60.

Campbell continued his ‘rein’ of terror with a natural hat trick in races three, four and five, scoring with Betfromthebeach (2:00.2, $2.80), Broadway Giant (2:02.1, $6.20) and the $5,000 co-featured trot with Love Kitten.

The 5-year-old Jailhouse Jesse mare trotted to a 2:01.3 upset score for owner Jason Vafiades and trainer Kimberly Vafiades.  Taking her ninth win of the season, she paid $12.80 to win.  Scottish Blue (Nick Graffam) finished second; Show Me The Magic (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

Campbell completed his quintet of conquests with Threetimessix (2:00.3, $7.40) for owner-trainer-breeder James Smallwood.  In taking the $5,000 co-featured pace, the 5-year-old daughter of Eighteen grabbed her seventh win of the year.  Favorite Whatchagonnadoboo (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; Delightful Virgin (Dave Ingraham) was third.

McGwire Sowers enjoyed a pair of driving victories, and both were trained by Autym Robinson.

Everybody’s favorite octogenarian Bob Nadeau grabbed his third Cumberland win of the season, piloting his own Azariya to a 2-3/4 length score in 2:02.1.  The 4-year-old daughter of Lazurus N paid $12.00 to win.

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 3) and features a $5,500 top pacing event of the week, headlined by Hoosier Shark (2-1, Walter Case Jr.) who is coming off a win in his last start and has won over a third of his seasonal outings.  Of course, former track stars Airspinder (7-2, Drew Campbell) and Rocksapatriot (5-1, Dave Ingraham) will also test the mettle of the early morning line favorite.

The program has a lot of action for horse players, as the Pick 5 starts with the third race; the Pick 4 highlights the seventh, and a High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

For the fourth season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 21.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing, or have recently retired, and have Maine connections.  Horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter and be featured in a half-page bio with photograph in the program.  Equine honorees must be present to participate and need to ‘declare’ by Dec. 4.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting, which enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November.  Next Saturday (Nov. 9) will feature the Leigh Fitch Memorial, with the live action continuing on Sunday (Nov. 10).  Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 6.  The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/  or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

November 1, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Racing resumes at the iconic Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (Nov. 2) for the first of 19 Southern Maine racing dates, knows as the “Winter Festival,” with some of the Pine Tree State’s top trotters and pacers kicking off the ten-race card.

The $5,000 co-features are conditioned events with the fifth race trot being headed by Buddy Earl (8-5, Walter Case Jr.) who scores from post two and Love Kitten (9-5, Drew Campbell) who leaves from post three.  Collectively the pair have earned in excess of $100,000 this season, and will battle it out in this top trotting skirmish.

The $5,000 conditioned pace is carded as race eight and features Twin B High Tech (5-2, Aaron Hall) from post seven, and pylon sitting Whatchagonnadoboo (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) in this battle of the side steppers.

Overall, the entire program has a lot of action for horse players with eight events boasting full seven or eight horse fields.  The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the seventh, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

Sunday’s (Nov. 3) card features the $5,500 top pacing event of the week, headlined by Hoosier Shark (2-1, Walter Case Jr.) who is coming off a win in his last start and has won over a third of his seasonal outings.  Of course, former track stars Airspinder (7-2, Drew Campbell) and Rocksapatriot (5-1, Dave Ingraham) will also test the mettle of the early morning line favorite.

For the fourth season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 21.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing, or have recently retired, and have Maine connections.  Horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter and be featured in a half-page bio with photograph in the program.  Equine honorees must be present to participate and need to ‘declare’ by Dec. 4.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

Racing continues at First Tracks Cumberland for our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting, which enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November.  Next Saturday (Nov. 9) will feature the Leigh Fitch Memorial, with the live action continuing on Sunday (Nov. 10).  Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 6.  The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

September 30, 2024, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Leading part-time driver Hunter Lofthus grabbed another victory in the $4,700 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) series at Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (Sept. 30), showing his fellow reinsmen that patience is a virtue.

Lofthus, who already had 10 wins in 34 starts and a 0.408 UDRS coming into the race, was sent off as the 1-2 favorite from post four with Jamie Gerard’s Polyester.

When the gate sprung it was Zampara and Benson Merrill that shot out for an early lead, with Todd Whitney driving Twin B Impressive trying to force his way into the two-hole.  With those to combatants duking it out through the stinging :27.2 opening panel and into the :57.1 half, the aggressive, front-running pair began to falter as the field headed to the 1:27.2 third stanza.

Meanwhile, at the back of the pack, Lofthus has sprung from the pylons heading to the half and had advanced to second position before the pacers reached the final turn.  From that point the 4-year-old daughter of Dude’s The Man was in full flight and charged down to the wire in 1:58, scoring by 1-1/4 lengths.

For driver Lofthus, it was his 11th win of the year, which coupled with his seven second-place finishes in 35 starts, gave the talented teamster a 0.425 UDRS.

Polyester is owned and trained by Jamie Gerard, giving the mare her seventh seasonal victory.  Gerard also had an additional three training wins on the program, including: Twin B High Tech (1:56.4, $5.00); Acefortyfour Cory (1:59.2, $5.20); Hunting Angels (1:58.3, $10.40).

Provisional driver Dalton Lee picked up his second win of the season, blowing up the tote board in the process.  Lee sent his own Eternal Ring on a wire-to-wire tour of the facility with 3-2 favorite American Fighter and Drew Campbell glued to his helmet.

The 11-year-old daughter of Artzina held on to win by three parts of a length in 2:01.3, paying $20.20 for the victory in the $5,000 Blueberry Pop-Up Consolation.

Driver Andy Harrington had three wins on the program, where Walter Case Jr., Aaron Hall and Kevin Switzer Jr. all enjoyed driving doubles on the final day of the ‘Fair’ meet.

Live harness racing resumes with the First Tracks Cumberland Winter Festival, which begins a 19-card stretch on November 2.  The action follows a 2-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November.  In December the track adds Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 22.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 21.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

September 29, 2024, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s $300,000-plus 2-year-old finals witnessed two unbeaten youngsters remain as such, with a few surprises in the other divisions Saturday (Sept. 28) on the closing day of the 152^nd Cumberland Fair.

Champion colt Whatawonder cruised to an easy victory in his $75,753 Maine Sire Stakes final for freshmen male trotters.  Leaving from the outer most post position six, driver Ken Watson wasted no time to get his talented charge to the top.

Dropping a 29.4 opening panel, which was his fastest ever, the gelding proceeded to carry his four-length advantage through the remaining splits of 1:01.3 and 1:31.3.  Looking stronger with every stride, the son of Whataworkout strode home in 2:02.4, a new lifetime best and a track record.

Owned and bred by Barbara Lawson, it was Whatawonder’s tenth straight victory, paying $3.40.  He is trained by Lisa Watson.

Liberty’s Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; stable mate Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) was third.

In the $76,023 Maine Sire Stakes final for 2-year-old male pacers, the heavy 2-5 favorite Massive Speed did not disappoint.

Thrusting out from behind the starting car driver Walter Case Jr. smartly let early speedster Race Me Celtic (Drew Campbell) assume command, albeit briefly.  A give-and-go release gave Massive Speed the top again just past the 27.4 swift opening panel.

At the 58.4 half-mile marker a cavalry charge of sidesteppers were stacked up three high as they passed the stands the second time, with Jax Attack (Aaron Hall) first over and Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham) applying pressure alongside three wide.

While Massive Speed was on top by three at the 1:28 third stanza, Race Me Celtic was gapping his cover in the pocket with Gracies Tough Guy now first over and looking to duck to the pylons.

As the field turned for home, Massive Speed had gained considerable separation on the rest of the field.  Only Gracies Tough Guy had stayed within two lengths of the son of Dude’s The Man, as Case held his whip high while crossing the wire and broke the divisional track record with the 1:58.2 triumph.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was the tenth consecutive victory for Massive Speed, who was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.  He paid $2.80 to win.

Race Me Celtic finished third.

Little Shot took a big shot and prevailed in the $75,916 final for 2-year-old trotting fillies.  Driven by conditioner and co-owner Ivan Davies, the daughter of Noble Venture was sent right out for the lead from their pylon position at the start, and proceeded to make every call a winning one.

Tripping the timer in 2:04.1, Little Shot was the second choice on the board and paid $7.40 to win her second race of the season.  Also co-owned by Shirley Hutchins, she was bred by Dr. Douglass Hutchins and Paul Kinnear.

Barbella (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Race Me Bombshell (Drew Campbell) was third.

For the $75,821 Maine Sire Stakes final for freshman pacing fillies, it was Leanne Marie that crossed the wire first for driver Mike Cushing.  However, the judges determined that Leanne Marie interfered with Chasing Dudes (Nick Graffam) in mid-stretch, therefore the latter was declared the winner, with the former being placed second.

Chasing Dudes, a daughter of Dude’s The Man, is trained by Mike Graffam for owner-breeder Bob Marston and paid $7.80 to win.

Audry (Steve Wilson) finished third.

The day’s fastest race was the $10,000 Winners Over class, where Lifes A Puzzle triumphed for driver Kevin Switzer Jr. in 1:54.4.  Trained by Alison Hynes for owner Richard Humphrey, the 4-year-old son of Lazarus N is another successful graduate of the Gordon Corey Institute of Equine Erudition.

The day also witnessed a plethora of $10,000 pop up series finals which were well received by the large crowd of fans and bettors on hand for the final day of the fair.

The Sunday (Sept. 29) card has a special post time of 10:55 am for that final racing date.

After the fair, the track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and follows a 2-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November.  The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 22.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 21.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

September 28, 2024, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Three $19,00-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters and pacers went postward on Friday (September 27) at the Cumberland (Maine) Fair, with the usual suspects cementing their place in the divisional hierarchy.

In the early $20,432 non-wagering race for sophomore male pacers, which was rescheduled due to Thursday’s cancelation, it was the indomitable Two Fold Cold who made his signature gate-to-wire supremacy known to all who bore witness.

Leaving from post four the son of Deuce Seelster continued his reign of terror on his classmates and rolled through 28.1 and 58.3 early fractions, before turning on the afterburners into a 1:27.2 third panel.  Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. had to keep the gelding on his toes as Gary Hall’s Justcallmebuck and Heath Campbell were breathing down his neck as they stormed down to the wire.  The precocious pacesetter held on to prevail by a quarter length in 1:57.3.

Ironically, Two Fold Cold was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall, but is now the property of conditioner Marc Tardif.  It was his tenth straight seasonal victory and remains undefeated this year.

Stable mate Art’s Flight (Andy Harrington) finished third.

Valerie Grondin grabbed a back-to-back victory aboard Chipper Dale, sitting a two-hole trip behind stable mate Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) in the $19,483 Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old colt and gelding trot.  The son of Shake It Off Lindy tripped the timer in 2:04.4, winning by 2-3/4 lengths. 

Owned and bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, it was the gelding’s eighth seasonal victory and third in a row.  He paid $2.20 to win as the heavy favorite.

Pembroke Will finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.

Next up were the sophomore trotting distaffs vying for $19,708, with divisional leader Pembroke Breeze resuming her previous form for the triumph.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, the filly made quick work of the field as she made every call a winning one, scoring in 2:05 by 1-3/4 lengths.  The daughter of Pembroke Slugger was riding a five-race win streak when she finished third in her last start in mid-August.  After some time off she has returned to her winning ways for owner breeder Bill Varnery, grabbing her sixth race of the season, paying $2.20.

Bernie’s Legacy (Dave Ingraham) finished second; Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes concludes at the Cumberland Fair the 2-year-old finals will be held on Saturday (Sept. 28).  Post time is 1:00 pm.

The Sunday (Sept. 29) card has a special post time of 10:55 am for that final racing date.

After the fair, the track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and follows a 2-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November.  The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 22.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 21.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

September 27, 2024, by Chris Tully for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Once again, First Tracks Cumberland welcomes the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old Pine Tree State-bred harness horses on Saturday (Sept. 28), which is being held on the final day of the 152^nd Cumberland Fair.

The first final for 2-year-old pacing fillies, is probably the most completive on paper.  The current point leader Chasing Dudes (3-1, Nick Graffam) leaves from post seven, giving her combatants Whisper Of Luck (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Leanne Marie (5-2, Mike Cushing) a distinct advantage from post one and two respectively. 

Leanne Marie comes into the race off a win in the final leg of the series, and also the fastest record (2:01.3) which she took at Farmington on Sept. 17.  The homebred daughter of Artistic Fella is trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing, who also co-owns with owners-breeders Pamela Smith and Jane Dipompo.

The freshmen filly trotters have Pandemic Princess as their point leader, who hails from the powerful Valerie Grondin Stable and gets the services of Heath Campbell.  Fresh off a win at Farmington, the daughter of Whataworkout was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, who still maintains ownership.  She will score from post six and is listed at 5-2. 

The early morning line favorite in that division is Blizzard’s Fury (2-1, Switzer) who also hails from a powerful stable in the Tardif Taskforce.  Despite early-mile miscues, she regularly regains her composure and trots home with purpose to be 1-2-3 in nearly every start.

While the Maine-bred fillies seem to be evenly matched, the boys are led by a distinct standout in their divisional battles.

The sidestepping colt and gelding pacers have been chasing Massive Speed (6-5, Walter Case Jr.) all season long.  The son of Dude’s The Man brings an unblemished record of nine wins in nine starts to the contest, and leaves from post two.  He sports a mark of 1:58 at Bangor, is trained by Marc Tardif, owned by Leighton Property, and was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.

Several of the race’s top contenders also hail from the Tardif Taskforce, as Marc and Peggy have five in this final.  Due to a favorable post position, Valerie Grondin’s Keenan Star (5-2, Heath Campbell) also has a punchers change at divisional glory.

Like his pacing counterpart, Whatawonder, has dominated his male trotting division. A son of Whataworkout, the Lisa Watson-trained wunderkind has a perfect 9-for-9 record. 

Ken Watson has driven the gelding perfectly all season for owner-breeder Barbara Watson, and is the even money favorite from post six.  While the talented high-stepper has never seen the back of a helmet, a few would-be spoilers are poised to pounce should any there be any unforeseen opportunities. 

Liberty’s Wildcard (9-5, Switzer) has seven second-place finishes behind the divisional leader, and has gotten to Whatawonder’s wheel on several occasions.  Stable mate Katahdin Victor (3-1, Wally Watson) also knows the top dog’s tricks and could be right there also.

The full card of harness racing action begins at 1 pm, with the four $75,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes events being carded as races two, four, six and eight on the 12 race program.

Including the Maine Stakes, First Tracks Cumberland has added several pop up series finals to the day’s festivities, bringing the total purses on the program to nearly $380,000.  The track is also holding its popular Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win up to $500 by picking the correct race winner.

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow their Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com