May 24, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Married Man took a vow of victory at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (May 23) when the pacer carried his driver Andy Harrington over the threshold of the $6,200 feature. 

The $10,000 to $12,500 claiming handicap sidesteppers scuffled into the first turn with the 1-5 heavy favorite Jone Hanover (Kevin Switzer Jr.) taking the lead while leaving third choice Married Man (5-1) parked, who ultimately yielded into a blistering :27 opening panel.

Past the softer :56.3 half, Todd Whitney pulled Ys Do It Right (9-2) from fourth, which flushed the cover of Married Man who popped the deuce at the 1:25.3 third station.  Around the final turn the aggressor was breathing down the pacesetter’s neck and gaining ground with every stride.

Jones Hanover and Married Man battled valiantly down the stretch, with the latter reeling in the former to prevail in deep stretch by half a length in 1:55.2.

Driven by Harrington for trainer Bob Marston and owner Bob Kluchevitz, the 6-year-old son of Heston Blue Chip picked up his second win of the season and his fastest seasonal mark in the last two years.  Increasing his lifetime earnings to $149,654, they returned $12.60.

Ys Do It Right finished third.

Andy Harrington and Kevin Switzer Jr. each had three wins on the 13-race program.  There will be a Pick 4 carryover of $865.93.

Racing resumes Friday (May 29) when First Tracks Cumberland hosts their final Friday-Saturday racing schedule during the last week of May.  When we flip the calendar to June and the official start of summer, the schedule reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the meet. 

Except for special occasions (Sat., June 6, Belmont Stakes), first post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:

Racing Info

May 23, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – In the weekly battle for trotting supremacy in the Pine Tree State at Cumberland Raceway on Friday (May 22), Big Al M took command at the start and finished the race one win over his arch nemesis Brutalizer in the $7,000 featured Winners Over Trot.

Going into the race, the Harrington’s Brutalizer enjoyed the bragging rights as their 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector has won two of his last three encounters with Zach Vickerson’s Big Al M.  However, things changed in Big Al M’s favor as his owner-trainer sent the 8-year-old son of Anders Bluestone out to an early lead and never looked back.

When the wings folded To My Credit (7-2, Alex MacDonald) hit the turn on top and then yielded to a hard-charging Big Al M into a :28.4 opening panel.  The field was in a relaxed, single file sequence heading to the 1:00.2 halfway marker, with Brutalizer (3-1, Andy Harrington) tipping from fifth to start the outer flow and his ascent forward.

With aggressors on the march, the 3-5 favored leader picked up the tempo and hit the third station in 1:30 while looking for a little separation.  Around the final turn Brutalizer was poised to pounce in third, but positioned three lengths back.

Down the stretch both the pocket sitting To My Credit (2^nd) and the first over Brutalizer (3^rd) gave chase, however, Big Al M could not be reeled in as they hit the final beam in 2:00.1.

Owned, trained and driven to victory by Zach Vickerson, it was the third win of the season for the veteran trotter, who increased his lifetime earnings to $537,430.  He returned $3.20.

In other racing news, driver Steve Wilson picked up three wins on the program, including a wire-to-wire romp with his own St Lads Thriller in 1:58.1.  They returned $7.80 for the triumph.

Everyone’s favorite Octogenarian, Bob Nadeau grabbed his first win of the season with his own Azariya in a pylon-hugging circuit that gave the 6-year-old daughter of Lazurus N a new 2:00 seasonal mark.  They paid $8.60. 

Now 88-years-young, Nadeau has been a USTA member since 1966 and has been winning races for the last seven decades, or for as long as dash win records have been kept, whichever is greater.

Racing resumes Saturday (May 23), with the $6,200 feature a $10-12.5k claiming handicap in race eight.  The contest pits Married Man (9-5, Harrington) who has been assigned the outermost post five, against Jones Hanover (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) and the Michelle Lefebvre-trained duo of Ys Do It Right (7-2, Todd Whitney) and Keystone Maxim (6-1, Wally Watson).

The exotic wagering action starts with a Pick-5 in the opener, then the Pick-4 is set for the last four races on the program (races 10-13).  The Pick-3 begins in race 11, and all boast a low 16% takeout.  In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four, six, and eight, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale. 

First Tracks Cumberland hosts their penultimate Friday-Saturday racing schedule through the month of May.  When we flip the calendar to June and the official start of summer, the schedule reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the meet. 

Except for special occasions (Sat., June 6, Belmont Stakes), first post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:

Racing Info

May 21, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s best trotters are set to battle once again at Cumberland Raceway on Friday (May 22) in the $7,000 featured Winners Over Trot.

The Harrington’s Brutalizer currently enjoy the bragging rights as their 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector has won two of his last three encounters with Zach Vickerson’s Big Al M.  Post position notwithstanding, the pair have locked horns on five occasions this season, with the score tied at two all.

Big Al M has those two wins on his card against Brutalizer, whereas the latter has three wins on the season, with his first occurring during the absence of the former.  This should make for good theater (and handicapping) when the Wes Brown starting gate signals the start of Friday’s seventh race.

In lieu of his recent form, the trackman has listed Brutalizer as the mild favorite at 2-1 from post six.  With $146,862 earned lifetime, he has a fair amount of ground to make up to catch Big Al M (5-2) who has $533,930 in career spoils.  The 8-year-old son of Anders Bluestone will be driven by his owner-trainer from post five.

On Friday, the exotic wagering action starts with a Pick-5 in the opener, then the Pick-4 is set for the last four races on the program (races 9-12).  The Pick-3 begins in race 10, and all boast a low 16% takeout.  In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four, six, and eight, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale. 

Looking ahead to the following race date, the $6,200 feature on Saturday is $10-12.5k claiming handicap in race eight, pitting Married Man (9-5, Harrington) who has been assigned the outermost post five, against Jones Hanover (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) and the Michelle Lefebvre-trained duo of Ys Do It Right (7-2, Todd Whitney) and Keystone Maxim (6-1, Wally Watson).

First Tracks Cumberland hosts their penultimate Friday-Saturday racing schedule through the month of May.  When we flip the calendar to June and the official start of summer, the schedule reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the meet. 

Except for special occasions, first post is generally 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:

Racing Info

May 17, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – About an hour before the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans was being contested about 500 miles down the eastern seaboard, First Tracks held their own $7,000 Cumberland Preakness on Saturday (May 16) at the iconic Southern Maine oval.

A ten furlong dash, the seven fillies and mares that comprised the conditioned pacing field were led by 5-2 morning line favorite Venice Blue Chip from post two.  However, at post time, the public’s perception had shifted to embrace Holymotherofmoses who had a late driver change to local fan favorite Heath Campbell, which resulted in her anointment at 6-5.

When the wings folded down the backstretch for the 1-1/4 mile distance event, a relative cavalry charge ensued with Venice Blue Chip (now 2-1) and Walter Case Jr. taking an early lead.  Hungry Lady (2-1, Wally Watson) dropped in the pocket second and was followed by Coocooforcoco and Dedication as the pack rounded the first turn.  The field stayed in that position through the :28.3 opening panel and a subsequent :58.2 half.

Entering the third turn and heading to the three-quarters, Andy Harrington pulled Dedication from fourth in an attempt to reel in the leaders.  She quickly ranged up to the wheel of the pacesetter with the post time favorite Holymotherofmoses in tow second over as they reached the third panel in 1:29.

The field was stacked up and Holymotherofmoses was sent three-wide down the backside as they tripped the mile timer in 1:58.4.  Around the final turn and down the stretch Dedication had reconsidered her commitment while Case was trying to keep the pacesetter Venice Blue Chip from being caught by a determined Campbell on the outside.

The mares battled valiantly down to the wire, with Venice Blue Chip prevailing by a neck in 2:28.2 over Holymotherofmoses.

Trained by Mark Harris for owners Derek Robishaw and Gayle Harris, the 5-year-old daughter of Lather Up picked up her first seasonal victory and increased her lifetime earnings to $111,083.  She returned $6.20 to win for the 15th time in her career.

Polyester (Aaron Hall) came from way off the pace to grab the show dough.

Aaron Hall enjoyed three wins on the program, including the $7,000 co-featured Winners Over pace with Vel Trust In Time.  Scoring in 1:57.3, it was the Tammy Sower’s-trained mare’s seventh seasonal victory.

Heath Campbell, Andy Harrington and McGwire Sowers each picked up a pair of wins.  Nick Graffam leads all drivers after the 17 race cards of the current Spring meet with 38 victories.  Kevin Switzer Jr. (28) and Aaron Hall (25) round out the top three.

Racing resumes Friday (May 22) as Cumberland kicks off the Memorial Day weekend with another full card of live harness racing action.

First Tracks Cumberland continues to host their Friday-Saturday racing schedule through the month of May.  When we flip the calendar to June for the official start of summer, the schedule reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the meet. 

First post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:

Racing Info

May 16, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – With the victory seemingly up for grabs in the final sixteenth of a mile during Friday’s (May 15) featured trot at Cumberland Raceway, top reinsman Nick Graffam patiently and fearlessly skimmed the cones to pay dirt with High Gear No Fear (post 1).

The track was listed as muddy and the drivers had already donned their rain gear as the seventh race got underway.  With Hunter Lofthus sending Ghetto Boy (3-1) out to a quick lead, the pylon positioned High Gear No Fear (5-2) was content to take the pocket trip while heading into the first turn.  By the time the field has straightened out past the paddock Dynamical Tad (Luke Varnum) and 3-5 favorite Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell) were seated third and fourth, respectively.

The pacesetting Ghetto Boy hit the opening panel in :30.2, with the field stretched out in the off going.  Approaching the 1:01.2 half Heath Campbell tipped the favorite to go around a lagging Dynamical Tad. 

Down the backstretch the final time the leader increased the tempo with Pembroke Breeze now head-to-head with High Gear No Fear in a loose pocket.  They hit the third station in a forceful 1:31.4 with Pembroke Breeze challenging for the lead around the final turn.

While it appeared that the aggressor may overtake the pacesetter, the momentum of the anticipated, potential victors had stalled mid-stretch.  Graffam used his well-reserved closing kick to scoot pass the outside horses and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, taking the $5,200 conditioned trot by a nose.

Owned and trained by Brian Lamb, the 9-year-old son of Whom Shall I Fear picked up his first win of the season, tripping the timer in 2:04.4.  Returning $7.40, he increased his lifetime earnings to $230,929.

Ghetto Boy hung on for second, while with a fast closing brush of his own, Wariner (Aaron Hall) made up nearly four lengths in the stretch to finish third by a neck.

Nick Graffam had three wins on the program, while former Maine Sire Stakes freshman trotting champ Whatawonder got back to his winning ways for Ken and Shannon Watson.

With the second jewel of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown on tap for Saturday (May 16), Cumberland Raceway will host its own $7,000 Cumberland Preakness with a field of seven going behind the gate in race ten over a special distance of ten furlongs.  The 12-race card also carries a special 2:45 pm post time to accommodate wagering on all the day’s action from Laurel Park.

Trackman Downeast Dave has pegged Venice Blue Chip as the 5-2 early morning line favorite from post two with Walter Case Jr. in the sulky.  Trained by Mark Harris for owner Derek Robishaw and Gayle Harris, the 5-year-old daughter of Lather Up won 11 of 44 races last year, but is still searching for her seasonal trip to victory lane.  The fillies and mares pacing event will be contested at a 1-1/4 mile distance.

The second and third choices in the Cumberland Preakness are Hungry Lady (3-1, Wally Watson) from post six, and Holymotherofmoses (7-2, Dave Ingraham) from post four.  Both mares are coming off of victories in their respective last starts in optional $4,000 claimers.

The co-feature of the afternoon is the $7,000 Winners Over Pace in race eight, pitting Vel Trust In Time (5-2, Aaron Hall) who is saddled with the outermost post seven, against former Maine Sire Stakes star So Rock N’ Roll (3-1, Heath Campbell) from post six.

On Saturday, the exotic wagering action starts with a Pick-5 in the opener, then the Pick-4 is set for the last four races on the program (races 9-12).  The Pick-3 begins in race 10, and all boast a low 16% takeout.  In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four, six, and eight, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale.  Doors will open at 12:00 noon for the special Preakness day program.

First Tracks Cumberland continues to host their Friday-Saturday racing schedule through the month of May.  When we flip the calendar to June and the official start of summer, the schedule reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the meet. 

Except for special occasions, first post is generally 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:

Racing Info

May 14, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – With the second jewel of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown on tap for Saturday (May 16), Cumberland Raceway will host its own $7,000 Cumberland Preakness with a field of seven going behind the gate in race ten over a special distance of ten furlongs.  The 12-race card also carries a special 2:45 pm post time to accommodate wagering on all the day’s action from Laurel Park.

Trackman Downeast Dave has pegged Venice Blue Chip as the 5-2 early morning line favorite from post two with Walter Case Jr. in the sulky.  Trained by Mark Harris for owner Derek Robishaw and Gayle Harris, the 5-year-old daughter of Lather Up won 11 of 44 races last year, but is still searching for her seasonal trip to victory lane.  The fillies and mares pacing event will be contested at a 1-1/4 mile distance.

The second and third choices in the Cumberland Preakness are Hungry Lady (3-1, Wally Watson) from post six, and Holymotherofmoses (7-2, Dave Ingraham) from post four.  Both mares are coming off of victories in their respective last starts in optional $4,000 claimers.

The co-feature of the afternoon is the $7,000 Winners Over Pace in race eight, pitting Vel Trust In Time (5-2, Aaron Hall) who is saddled with the outermost post seven, against former Maine Sire Stakes star So Rock N’ Roll (3-1, Heath Campbell) from post six.

On Saturday, the exotic wagering action starts with a Pick-5 in the opener, then the Pick-4 is set for the last four races on the program (races 9-12).  The Pick-3 begins in race 10, and all boast a low 16% takeout.  In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four, six, and eight, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale.  Doors will open at 12:00 noon for the special Preakness day program.

Of course, First Tracks Cumberland will hold its regular Friday (May 15) card at the usual 12:15 pm post time, with nine races on that program.

First Tracks Cumberland continues to host their Friday-Saturday racing schedule through the month of May.  When we flip the calendar to June and the official start of summer, the schedule reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the meet. 

Except for special occasions, first post is generally 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:

Racing Info

May 10, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Former Maine Sire Stakes standout Gowestyounggrace secured her second consecutive victory on Saturday (May 9) at Cumberland Raceway, providing fans a glimpse of her previous championship form.

Leaving swiftly from the gate the 5-year-old daughter of Western Maverick pinned her ears and pushed swiftly onward from post five, with Nikasa N (11-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) alongside through the turn.  By the time the field straightened out past the paddock turn and down the backstretch ‘Grace’ was comfortably in command while setting a snappy :28.2 opening panel.

The even-money favorite reduced the tempo to :59.3 while leading the pack to the half.  Commander Cathy N (3-1, Aaron Hall) was enjoying a pocket trip, with Nikasa N in third.  The first to pull the right line was James Doucette and Shesinqredible Deo (17-1) as the field tightened, who flushed the cover of Ga Speed Matrix (4-1, Mike Stevenson) as they rounded the third turn.

Down the backstretch the first-up Ga Speed Matrix was at the wheels of the pacesetting Gowestyounggrace as the field hit the third stanza in 1:29.1.  Around the turn and down the stretch the aggressors tried valiantly to reel in the leader, but to no avail as the expeditious mare hit her stride and strode home by a measured 1-1/2 lengths in 1:58.2, a new seasonal mark.

Owned, trained and bred by Fred Ward Jr. and Sharon Ward, it was the mare’s second straight win in as many starts which brought her lifetime earnings to $242,409.  She returned $4.00 to grab her 23rd career victory in the $6,000 NW3500 conditioned fillies and mares pace.

Ga Speed Matrix finished second; Commander Cathy N was third.

The richest and swiftest race of the day was captured by Jones Hanover in 1:56.3.  The $6,400 conditioned NW5000 pace was a wire-to-wire rout for driver Kevin Switzer Jr. and owner-trainer David McLellan, returning $3.00.

Top reinsman Nick Graffam had two wins on the 10-race program, as did Aaron Hall and McGwire Sowers.  Graffam leads all Cumberland drivers with 35 seasonal victories, followed by Kevin Switzer Jr. (27) and Aaron Hall (25).

Racing resumes on Friday (May 15) for the fourth of six weekends of Friday-Saturday racing, which runs through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the month of June. 

First post is always 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:

Racing Info

May 9, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – When Maine’s top trotters tussled in Friday’s (May 8) $7,000 feature at First Tracks Cumberland the co-favorites used two completely different tactics while chasing pay dirt.

As the wings on the Wes Brown starting gate folded the 3-1 co-favorite Big Al M (Zach Vickerson) was met with an inside challenge by To My Credit (16-1, Alex MacDonald) who blasted out to a blistering :28.3 opening panel.  Vickerson relented and ducked into the two-hole, which was about five lengths in front of the other co-favorite Brutalizer (3-1, Andy Harrington) who was sitting chilly in fourth.

Harrington wasted little time vaulting his charge into the outer flow as the pair were rolling first up, which was well before the 1:01.3 half-mile marker.  As the pacesetter was busy reducing the tempo, the rest of the field was packed tightly and in hot pursuit with Big Al M locked in the box around the paddock turn and Top Down (9-1, Mike Stevenson) second over.

While the pacesetting To My Credit was grinding it out on the front end gamely, Brutalizer was inching closer and closer to the top as the field brushed down the backstretch into a swifter 1:31.3 third panel.  Even though Brutalizer may have lost a little momentum in the final turn, he quickly regained his speed as the field turned for home and was able to track down the leader and prevail by half of a length in 2:01.3.

Trained by Sara Harrington for owner Kyle Gibbs, the 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector picked up his third win of the season and 13^th lifetime victory, increasing his career spoils to $145,862.

Brutalizer returned $8.00 to win with To My Credit finishing second.  The exacta returned $25.70.

Top Down was third and Big Al M finished fourth-placed-fifth for a violation of the pylon rules while in deep stretch.

Leading reinsman Nick Graffam had three wins on the 12-race program.

Racing continues on Saturday (May 9) with a 10-race program and is the second half of the third of six weekends of Friday-Saturday racing, which runs through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the month of June. 

First post is always 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/

May 7, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – While the horse racing world is still buzzing about the Standardbred connection to Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Cherie DeVaux, Cumberland Raceway gets back to business on Friday (May 8) with a trotting rivalry that has also shown no signs of slowing down.

Around the time DeVaux and Jose Ortiz (the winning KY Derby jockey) were busy throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium, the connections of Brutalizer and Big Al M were finishing their stable duties and caring for the favorites in advance of Friday’s $7,000 Winners Over Trot.

With both horses owning a two-win record this season, and having faced each other on multiple occasions since mid-March, they also exchanged blows in several bouts during November and December at the iconic Southern Maine oval. 

The early morning line favorite from post seven is Big Al M (2-1, Zach Vickerson) who got stung three-wide into a :28.3 opening panel last week, cut the rest of the fractions and got overtaken by his nemesis in the closing round, just before the bell.  The more seasoned of the two trotting titans, Big Al M has 34 lifetime wins and $533,580.  The 8-year-old son of Anders Bluestone needs just three more victories to tie Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira’s UFC record.

Brutalizer who will score from post six for Andy Harrington is listed at 5-2 and carries the swagger of his last victory into the fight, with 12 career decisions and $142,362 in the pot.  A model of consistency, the 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector has never been worse than third in his last 16 starts.  One could argue that he has youth and form in his corner.

Nonetheless, the former Maine Sire Stakes champion trotting mare Pembroke Breeze will take her 5-year-old bow for the driver/trainer team of Heath Campbell and Valerie Grondin.  A winner of $211,299 lifetime with 19 wins, she loves the Cumberland oval and won by 7-1/2 in 1:58 her last time Downeast.  She is listed at 7-2 from post four and should not be overlooked.

The exotic wagering action starts with a Pick-5 in the opener, then the Pick-4 is set for the last four races on the program (races 9-12).  The Pick-3 begins in race 10, and all boast a low 16% takeout.  In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four, six, and eight, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale.

Racing continues on Saturday (May 9) with a 10-race program and is the second half of the third of six weekends of Friday-Saturday racing, which runs through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the month of June. 

First post is always 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:

Racing Info

May 3, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Wally Watson cut the fractions and prevailed with Yamaka in the 1-1/4 mile ‘distance race’ $7,000 Cumberland Derby on Saturday (May 2) at First Tracks Cumberland, while racing enthusiasts filled the apron and the grandstand wearing their Kentucky Derby best attire.

The field of six conditioned pacers lined up in front of the Derby Day fans while starter Wes Brown led the group around the paddock turn to a unique start on the backstretch.  Watson sent the 9-5 favorite Yamaka out from post five and was parked going into the the turn by the pylon sitting Ahoy Hanover (7-2, James Doucette).

After the first bend, Yamaka was on top and well in control of the tempo, leading the pack into a :32.3 opening panel.  Ahoy Hanover continued to track in second with Urika Blue Chip (11-1, Jason Bertonlini) sitting in third.  Past the 1:04.3 half Bertolini tipped Urika Blue Chip to engage the leader into a 1:35.2 third panel.  That brought Airspinder (3-1, Dave Ingraham) into position second over to roll in the outer flow.

Down the backside the final time the tempo increased and Airspinder was sent three wide to advance his stalled cover, with the pacesetting Yamaka keeping all the aggressors at bay through the 2:05 mile time.

As the field made haste down the stretch Yamaka could not be caught and Watson raised his whip triumphantly as they crossed the finish wire in 2:35.1.

Trained by Christopher Dubois for owner Steve Moskowitz Racing, the 12-year-old son of American Ideal picked up his 36^th lifetime victory and second of the season.  His career earnings now exceed $256,000.  He returned $5.60.

Ahoy Hanover fought back gamely to retain second; Lenwoods Real Deal (Mike Stevenson) was third.

Aaron Hall and Mike Stevenson both had grand slams on the 12-race card, with Wally Watson grabbing a double.

Racing resumes on Friday (May 8), with Friday-Saturday racing at First Tracks Cumberland running throughout the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the month of June. 

The extended pari-mutuel meeting runs through August 2. 

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:

Racing Info