April 19, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two familiar faces around the close knit Maine harness racing circuit got back into the winners circle on Saturday (April 18) at Cumberland Raceway, giving fans and the horse’s individual connections something the cheer about. 

Little Macabee found this week’s assignment much to his liking, as veteran teamster Dave Ingraham fed the horse racetrack and he responded by looping the group to victory.

In the third race, a $4,800 conditioned trot Ingraham wasted little time getting rolling and put the 12-year-old son of Chapter Seven out on a bee line for the front, with the pylon-sitting Pax Hanover (Andy Harrington) parking him to the front into a :30 second opening panel.

From that point the duo had things their own way, backing down the half to 1:01.2, which flushed Top Down and Mike Stevenson from the caboose.  At the 1:32 third panel the aggressor had reached the pacesetter and was breathing down his neck.  Around the final turn Stevenson had Top Down at Little Macabee’s saddle pad, but the favorite never faltered as the handy trotter cruised home a length winner in 2:02.1.

Trained by Eric Bickmore for owner Maryann Tompkins, it was his 46^th lifetime victory and second of the season. He returned $4.60 and increased his bankroll to $297,064.  Pax Hanover finished third.

Nikasa N took the featured race of the day, which was the $5,400 race nine $7,500-$12,500 claiming handicap.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for owner/trainer Russell Lanpher III, the 10-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight picked up a 1:59.2 seasonal mark, returning $8.20.

Commander Cathy N (Aaron Hall) finished second; Mulligan Philly (Nick Graffam) was third.

In other news, while demonstrating a triumphant return to his freshmen form, former 2-year-old Maine Sire Stakes champion trotting colt Whatawonder wired the field in the $4,200 race twelve conditioned trot, harking back to a season where the youngster won ten races on the season and appeared virtually unstoppable.

Driven by Ken Watson for owner/breeder Barbara Lawson, the 4-year-old son of Whataworkout now has 12 lifetime victories and $168,411 in career earnings.  He is now trained by Shannon Watson and picked up a 2:04 seasonal mark, returning $14.40.

Driver Nick Graffam had another big day, winning five races on the program.

Racing continues on Sunday (April 19) with a jam-packed 14-race program of full fields which features two individual Pick 5 wagers, the first in races 1-5, and the second in races 6-10.

First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring season with this weekend being the final Saturday and Sunday programs being offered in the near term.  Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June. 

First post is always 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.  The lone exception will be Saturday (May 2) when the track will offer wagering on the 152nd Kentucky Derby and the full card live from Churchill Downs, with the first post for live harness racing set for 2:45 pm.

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

Racing Info

April 17, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – With some of the top trotters at Cumberland Raceway taking a week off, veteran high-stepper Little Macabee found a class on Saturday (April 18) that fits his résumé perfectly.

The 12-year-old son of Chapter Seven has been knocking heads against the tougher group following a victory in the NW2500L4 three starts ago.  Now that he lands back in similar company, the Maryann Tompkins-owned Little Macabee has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite.  Trained by Eric Bickmore, the horse was 1-2-3 in nearly half his starts last year, earning $22,835.  With Dave Ingraham at the controls, the lifetime earner of $294,664 should be the horse to beat from post five.

His primary threat will come from recent victor Pax Hanover (pp 1, Andy Harrington) who man-handled a weaker bunch last time out, and drops back into this group of war-hardened troupers vying for the $4,800 race three kitty.

The featured race of the day pits five pacing mares against post position and each other in the $5,400 race nine $7,500-$12,500 claiming handicap. 

The early morning line favorite is Commander Cathy N (pp 3, Aaron Hall) who has a win and two seconds in her last three starts.  With $342,083 in her pocketbook, she is nearly as well-heeled as the top-tagged Nikasa N (pp 5, Kevin Switzer Jr.) who boasts $351,158 and 41 lifetime victories.

Also worth a look is Mulligan Philly (pp 2, Nick Graffam) who has form and post position in her favor, as she is reaching for her third victory in a row.

The 13-race program kicks into gear at 12:15 pm, with full fields and plenty of opportunity.

The exotic 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), with the Pick-3 beginning in race 11.  All boast a low 16% takeout.  In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four, six, eight and ten, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale.

Racing continues on Sunday (April 19) with a jam-packed 14-race program of full fields which features two individual Pick 5 wagers, the first in races 1-5, and the second in races 6-10.

First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring season with this weekend marking the final Saturday and Sunday programs being offered in the near term.  Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June. 

First post is always 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.  The lone exception will be Saturday (May 2) when the track will offer wagering on the 152nd Kentucky Derby and the full card live from Churchill Downs, with the first post for live harness racing set for 2:45 pm.

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

Racing Info

April 13, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – It doesn’t seem to matter who pilots Vel Larry, because the horse keeps winning.  Aaron Hall got the call this week in the $7,000 ‘winners over’ pace at Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (April 12), and the result was the same.

Grabbing his fourth win in nine seasonal outings, the 7-year-old son of He’s Gorgeous took the pocket trip route to the winner’s circle this time out.  Leaving swiftly from his mid-car position, Hall opted to release the hard charging Lifes A Puzzle (8-5, Nick Graffam) who scampered to the top from post seven into a snappy 27.3 opening panel.

As Graffam and Lifes A Puzzle got a 57.3 breather heading to the half, the outer flow started to materialize from the back of the pack.  However, with the tail gunners failing to improve their positions down the backstretch for the final time it was Tobins Burke (Dave Ingraham) who asserted himself first over, with Vel Larry eager to tip while headed into the 1:26.3 third station.

Around the final turn Hall found some daylight and gave the 3-2 favorite his marching orders, and within a few steps had collared the pacesetter.  Down the lane Vel Larry hit his best stride and put 2-3/4 lengths between himself and the rest of the field, scoring in 1:56.1, a seasonal best.

Trained by Christopher DuBois for owner Ettore Annunziata Revocable Trust, this year Vel Larry has won twice with Greg Merton at Monticello and last week at Cumberland with McGwire Sowers at the controls.  He returned $5.00 and increased his lifetime earnings to $98,375.

Hypnoticdream (Sowers) finished a fast closing second; Lifes A Puzzle was third.

In other news, Maine-native, Delmarva-based driver Eric Davis has taken Cumberland by storm this weekend.  In 18 starts he copped six wins (four on Sunday), with seven place and show finishes for an impressive 0.500 UDRS.  Active at Rosecroft in Maryland the last few months, Davis has earned nearly $2 million in purses the last couple of years, and has 210 wins since the start of 2024.

At the completion of seven racing cards, Nick Graffam sits atop the drivers standings at First Tracks with 19 victories, followed by Aaron Hall (14), Kevin Switzer Jr. (10), Mike Stevenson (8) and Andrew Harrington (7).

Speaking of drivers, ‘Too Tough’ Todd Whitney took the overland route in this week’s Maine Amateur Driving Club race, scoring with Duncans Ranger in 2:02, parked three deep the last half.

Racing resumes on Saturday (April 18) for another weekend of live harness racing action.

First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday through April 19.  Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June. 

First post is slated for 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. The lone exception will be Saturday (May 2) when the track will offer wagering on the 152nd Kentucky Derby and the full card live from Churchill Downs, with the first post for live harness racing set for 2:45 pm.

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

Racing Info

April 12, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Alex MacDonald got his first wins of the season on Saturday (April 11) at Cumberland Raceway when he piloted 11-1 longshot to a wire-to-wire victory in the $7,000 featured ‘winners over’ trot.

Leaving from pylon position the 6-year-old son of Credit Winner was sent right out to the top by the 41-year-old old reinsman, ensuring that he was in total command of the fractions.  And command them he did as the 28.3 opening panel was followed by a much softer 1:01.1 half.

With the field of top trotters stacked up while heading to that midway marker 2-1 second choice Brutalizer (Andy Harrington) flushed the cover of 8-5 favorite Big Al M (Zach Vickerson), who in turn caused the emergence of Jax Spratt (6-1, Aaron Hall) who was first over heading around the five-eighths bend.

Through the turn Big Al M was sitting second over and started losing ground and ultimately went off stride due to a flat tire and was no longer a factor.  Brutalizer encountered some traffic trouble with the aforementioned blowout, and had significant ground to recover from the back of the pack at the 1:31 third panel with To My Credit continuing to set the pace.

Around the final turn Jax Spratt tipped three wide to take his shot at the leader, as Brutalizer followed him closely with plenty of trot and momentum.   Down the stretch Jax Spratt was neck and neck with the leader, matching strides as the pair approached the wire.  Brutalizer was a fast closing third.  But the day belonged to To My Credit and Alex MacDonald as the pair tripped the timer in 2:02.4 to capture the seventh race feature.

To My Credit is trained by Mr. Allison MacDonald for owner T C B Racing.  It was the gelding’s 12^th lifetime victory who increased his lifetime earnings to $84,126.  For teamster Alex MacDonald, it was his second win of the afternoon, and the season, having won the fifth race with Stub N Bugs (2:03.3; $12.40).  Overall MacDonald had five starts on the day’s program and got checks in four of those events.

Driver Andy Harrington and his wife/partner/trainer Sara Harrington teamed up to bring home three winners on the afternoon program:  Pax Hanover (2:05; $9.60), Dreamfair Fantasy (2:01.2; $8.60), Whisper Of Luck (2:00.3, $8.20).  Nick Graffam also had three wins on the card, with Eric Davis grabbing a pair of wins.

Racing continues on Sunday (April 12) with another 13-race program of full fields, led by a $7,000 ‘winners over’ pace in race five. 

First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday through April 19.  Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June. 

First post is slated for 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. The lone exception will be Saturday (May 2) when the track will offer wagering on the 152nd Kentucky Derby and the full card live from Churchill Downs, with the first post for live harness racing set for 2:45 pm.

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

Racing Info

April 10, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Cumberland Raceway resumes its weekend action Saturday (April 11) with a $7,000 ‘winners over’ trot headlining the program, which pits Brutalizer and Big Al M against one another in race seven.

Last time out Brutalizer won the top trot on March 28 with regular pilot Andy Harrington in the bike.  The previous week the duo finished second to Big Al M who had Kevin Switzer Jr. aboard.

With the absence of the top reinsman on Saturday, trainer Zach Vickerson has opted to handle the driving duties on Big Al M personally.  From post seven he has been installed as the 2-1 favorite over Brutalizer from post six at 5-2.

Brian Lamb sends High Gear No Fear (7-2, Nick Graffam) into the fray and should be worth a look from the inside as he was just a pair of lengths behind Brutalizer at the finish in his last start.

The 13-race program kicks into gear at 12:15 pm, with full fields and plenty of opportunity.

The exotic 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), with the Pick-3 beginning in race 11.  All boast a low 16% takeout.  In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four, six, eight and ten, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale.

Racing continues on Sunday (April 12) with another 13-race program of full fields, led by a $7,000 ‘winners over’ pace in race five. 

First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday for the next two weeks in April.  Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June. 

First post is always 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.  The lone exception will be Saturday (May 2) when the track will offer wagering on the 152nd Kentucky Derby and the full card live from Churchill Downs, with the first post for live harness racing set for 2:45 pm.

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

Racing Info

April 5, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Saturday’s (April 4) solo day of racing at Cumberland included enough excitement to last the entire weekend as No Bettor Joy upset in the feature, and an equipment malfunction caused a wild chain of events that could only be described as ‘unusual.’

While bettors were still double checking their Pick 5 tickets with the $7,500 guarantee, the first race of the day set off a series of actions that would have even the most seasoned players and horse people shaking their heads in disbelief.

In the opener the 2-1 favorite Threetimessix and Wally Watson had been in command since the start and were rolling comfortably down the backstretch toward the third station.  It appears as that the inside head pole base became dis-attached from its terret strap on the harness and fell to the track. 

Somehow, someway, that apparatus bounced all the way back to interfere with Scarlet Moon, a horse driven by Walter Case Jr. that was sitting third over in sixth, and became lodged within the spokes of the left wheel of the sulky.  This caused the wheel to ‘brake’ heavily and skid along the surface, thus forcing the driver to pull up and not finish the race.

Charging down the lane with the front end of the head pole dangling, Threetimessix and Wally Watson were nipped at the wire by a nose in 2:02.1 by Delightful Virgin and Dave Ingraham, returning $56.60. 

Following a long inquiry, the judges determined that Threetimessix did indirectly interfere with Scarlet Moon, and was therefore disqualified from second and placed seventh.

Subsequently, the talk of the town was not racing gear but driver Nick Graffam who when on to win the third, fourth, fifth and sixth races for a natural grand slam.

Graffam had the favorite JL’s Rock Star in the feature, however Mike Stevenson was able to capture that race with No Better Joy in 1:58.4.  Trained by Johnathan Bresnahan for owner Robert MacNeil, the 8-year-old son of Betterthancheddar returned $12.40 to win.

JL’s Rock Star was second; Bare Bone (Andy Harrington) was third.

Graffam went on to win another two races on the 13-race card giving the teamster six wins on the program.  That domination of the program vaulted Graffam into first place in the drivers standings with 14 victories, followed by Aaron Hall (12) and Kevin Switzer Jr. (10).

Because of the Easter holiday, there is no racing on Sunday (April 5).  Racing resumes on Saturday (April 11). 

First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday for the next two weeks in April.  Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June. 

First post is slated for 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

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – The lone weekend card at Cumberland Raceway gets off with a bang this Saturday (April 4) with a $7,500 Pick 5 guarantee in the opener, but fans will have to wait until race seven to see if JL’s Rock Star adds his name to the list of winners on the day before Easter, known as Holy Saturday.

While the big guarantee has bettors trying to solve the puzzle in races one through five, subsequently the $5,400 featured conditioned pace is led by JL’s Rock Star who earned over $80,000 last season, despite having only won three races.  A model of consistency, the 6-year-old son Pet Rock has been second or third in his last five starts, going back to last December.

Nonetheless, the hot lights may once again shine on the Brian Lamb-trainee as he has been installed as the 2-1 favorite on the early morning line with Nick Graffam at the lines.  Scoring from post four, and owned by Lamb in partnership with Ed Fornier Jr., the sub-1:52 pacer will have contend with Lou Ed Zeppelin (7-2, McGwire Sowers) from post five.

The entire 13-race card is overflowing with full, eight-horse fields, which should make for some very lucrative betting options. Last week, First Tracks Cumberland had several double-digit longshots come in, to the delight of bettors looking for value and a big score.  This card could also produce more of the same.

Looking for a hunch bet for Easter?  Look no further than Holymotherofmoses in the third.

In addition to the $7,500 guaranteed 50-cent Pick-5 in the opener, the Pick-4 starts with the last four races on the program (races 10-13) and Pick-3 begins in the 12th race.  All boast a low 16% takeout.  In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four, six, eight and ten, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale.

The guarantee is part of the USTA Strategic Wagering platform and offers free past performances at this link:

https://handicapping.ustrotting.com/index.cfm

Because of the Easter holiday, there is no racing on Sunday (April 5).  Racing resumes on Saturday (April 11). 

First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday for the next two weeks in April.  Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June. 

First post is slated for 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

March 30, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Nick Graffam orchestrated a mild upset on Sunday (March 29) at First Tracks Cumberland when he sat a patient, pocket trip with Varney to strike in the final strides and prevail by a nose over 1/5 favorite Alex Having Fun in the $7,000 winners over pace.

When the wings folded the heavy favorite was gunned out to the lead by driver Aaron Hall from post eight, shunning a three-hole spot on the cones.  Varney (5/2) continued to press onward, forcing the favorite to work for the top into a taxing 27.3 opening panel.  By the three-eighths marker, the public choice had made the front.  But, at what cost?

As the field settled down to a more reasonable 57.0 half-mile time, Varney continued to stick to the pacesetting Alex Having Fun like glue, with Cigars And Port (Wally Watson) sitting in third with another eight lengths back to the rest of the field.

Down the backside the final time the race for third was stacked up three deep when the leader hit the third stanza in 1:26.2, prompting track announcer Scott Erhlich to exclaim, “It’s a two-horse race.”

The pair battled down the length of the home stretch, stride for stride, wheel to wheel, elbow to elbow.  With one final surge Varney got up under the shadow of the wire to win by a whisker in 1:55.1, the fastest mile of the 2026 meet, so far.

Trained and owned by Brian Lamb with partner Eddie Fournier Jr., the 7-year-old son of Huntsville obtained his 14^th career victory and collected a seasonal mark.  The win put the victor just over $250,000 in lifetime earnings.  He paid $7.80 to win.

Cigars And Port was nearly ten lengths back to grab the show dough.

In other news, Todd Whitney won the Maine Amateur Driving Club race with Legal Bettor in 1:57.4, returning $2.80.  In addition, young teamster Jason Bertolini nabbed his first score of the year with his own On Line in 2:02.2, paying $15.40.

Driver Aaron Hall enjoyed four wins on the program, with Nick Graffam and Mike Stevenson each picking up doubles.  After four racing cards, Aaron Hall and Kevin Switzer Jr. are tied at ten wins apiece in the driver standings.  Nick Graffam is third with eight wins.

Racing resumes on Saturday (April 4) with just a single live card this week, as the track will be dark on Easter Sunday (April 5).  There will be a Pick-5 carryover of $1,764 for Saturday.

First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday each weekend through most of the month of April. 

Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June. 

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

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

Racing Info

March 29, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Looking for redemption, trusty trotter Brutalizer got his pay dirt on Saturday (March 28) as the even-money favorite cruised to a wire-to-wire victory in the $6,200 feature at First Tracks Cumberland.

While the 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector has been a model of consistency since finding his way into the Harrington Stable last November, he finished second during last week’s opener and has been primed for a bigger pay day. 

The public’s choice was sent right to the top by driver by Andy Harrington from post five.  After settling in on top for a 30.1 opening panel, the teamster continued set snappy fractions to keep any would-be spoilers at bay.  Reaching the half in 1:00.4 the first to flush was Nice Guy Eddie (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.), who never was able to engage the punctual pacesetter. 

By the 1:30.3 third stanza, Brutalizer’s only threat was the pocket sitting High Gear No Fear (7-1, Nick Graffam).  Around the final turn and down the stretch the leader had kept all the pursuers in check and never drifted off the rail.  His final knockout blow was a 30.1 final quarter, winning by a measured two lengths in 2:00.4.

Trained by Sara Harrington for owner Kyle Gibbs, it was the eleventh lifetime victory for Brutalizer.  He paid $4.20 for his first win of the season.

High Gear No Fear finished second; it was a tight photo for show with Nice Guy Eddie prevailing by a whisker over Little Macabee (7-1, Dave Ingraham).

The sunny afternoon card started with Andrew Harrington lighting up the tote board with 42-1 longshot Royalty Again.  Coming from off the pace to swoop the three leaders down at the wire, Harrington got his charge up in the final strides to win by a half-length in 1:59.3, returning $87.80.  Royalty Again is trained by Randy Bickmore for owner Kevin Gee and picked up his eighth career win.

Wally Watson pulled off a bulb buster with 17-1 Skyway Ballet who danced three-wide down the backside to win in 2:00.1 for owner-trainer Ryan Berry.  The 9-year-old mare paid $37.40 in race six.  Two races later the same connections (Watson-Berry) scored with Juneparker, returning $27.60.

Fans and horse people alike were pleased to welcome Walter Case Jr. back to the winners circle following a nine month absence.  The 65-year-old, former leading national dash winner, sent J S Peyton on a gate-to-wire frolic, prevailing in 2:02.4 in race nine.  Trained by Benson Merrill for owners John and Thelma Kiernan, he paid $6.60.

 ‘Casey’ sits ninth atop North America’s dash win list among all-time active drivers with 11,526 victories, but until last week, his most recent starts were during June 2025.

Racing continues on Sunday (March 29) with a 13-race card of full fields.  The featured $7,000 winners over pace once again includes the area’s swiftest sidesteppers in race eight.  All of the action can be viewed in its entirety directly through the Racetrack Television Network with replays available on our website.

For Sunday, the exotic wagering menu starts with our 50-cent Pick-5 in the opener.  The Pick-4 begins with the last four races on the program (races 10-13) and Pick-3 gets going in the eleventh race.  All boast a low 16% takeout.  In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four, six, eight and ten, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale.

First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday each weekend through the month of April.  The only exception is no racing on Easter Sunday (April 5). 

Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June. 

First post is slated for 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

March 27, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Dependable trotter Brutalizer will look to take his redemption by force on Saturday (March 28) as the early morning line favorite in the $6,200 featured trot at Cumberland Raceway.

Finishing second in last week’s winners over class, the 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector has been a model of consistency since finding his way into the Harrington Stable last November.  From the time of his Downeast arrival, the horse has two wins, three second place finishes, and a third on his resume.  This week, in the absence of last week’s victor Big Al M, all tickets must include the 9-5 trackman’s choice.

Driven by Andy Harrington for trainer/partner Sara Harrington, Brutalizer earned a handsome $73,319 in 35 starts last season, with eight wins.  He scores from post five in the seventh race of an 11-race card.  His primary threat, Nice Guy Eddie, scores inside with Kevin Switzer Jr. at the lines and is listed at 5-2.

The Harringtons also have pacing mare Whisper Of Luck poised and ready to pounce in the tenth, she is listed as the 9-5 favorite from post four.  They have six in-to-go on Saturday, as does trainer Jamie Gerard.

For fans of the diagonally gaited set, there are three additional trotting races on the card, which are slated for races two, four and nine.

The exotic wagering menu has been enhanced to get things going early with the 50-cent Pick-5 added to the opener.  The Pick-4 starts with the last four races on the program (races 8-11) and Pick-3 begins in the ninth race.  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 Sunday (March 29) with a 13-race card of full fields.  The featured $7,000 winners over pace once again includes the area’s swiftest sidesteppers in race eight.  All of the action during both days of live harness racing can be viewed in its entirety directly through the Racetrack Television Network, with replays available on our website.

First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday each weekend through the month of April.  The only exception is no racing on Easter Sunday (April 5). 

Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June. 

First post is slated for 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