June 29, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Leading driver Kevin Switzer Jr. padded his lead in the drivers standings with a seven dash-win day at Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (June 28), scoring in all but four races on the program.

Switzer Jr. started his reign of supremacy in the second race where he went wire-to-wire with Rau Rau (1:56.1, $3.80) for trainer Zach Vickerson.  In the third he went three-wide down the backside to swoop the leaders in the stretch and prevail with Beyond The Past (1:56.4) and return a whopping $29.20 on a two-dollar win ticket.  The 7-year-old son of JK Endofanera is trained by Bob Marston.

He came right back in the fourth with Marston’s Circling The Prey (1:55.4, $4.20) who is owned by Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) president Joe Burke.  All three horses took new seasonal marks in the process.

Switzer Jr. got a break in the fifth while Todd Whitney won his umpteenth MADC event with a horse trained by Michelle Lefebvre.  This week it was Gotafoolishdesire who prevailed in 1:56, returning $2.80.

In the sixth race $5,800 feature it was another wire-to-wire score for blue and black adorned teamster, who scored with Ali in 1:55.2.  Owned and trained by Chris DuBois, the 11-year-old son of Dali paid $5.20.

In the seventh and eighth races Switzer Jr. finished third on both occasions.

After which Switzer Jr. won the final three races on the program.  Former Maine Sire Stakes star Dawn To Dark went from pillar to post in 1:56.3, obtaining a new time badge for owner-trainer Marc Tardif in race nine.  The heavy 1-9 favorite and 4-year-old son of Deuce Seelster returned just $2.10.

In the tenth Switzer Jr. sat a pocket trip with Jet Wills and tipped down the backstretch to grab the win in 1:58.2 for another Bob Marston pupil.  They paid $3.00.

In the 11^th race finale Switzer Jr. found himself right where he likes to be–on the front end with the favorite.  Leaving swiftly from post five the Sheriff N made every call a winning one, tripping the timer in 1:57 for trainer Zach Vickerson, returning $2.60.

When the dust settled from the hot afternoon harness racing Kevin Switzer Jr. had increased his place atop the leaderboard with 61 seasonal victories at First Tracks Cumberland.  Tied for second with 48 apiece are both Nick Graffam and Aaron Hall.

With a little over a month to go in the Spring-Summer meet Michelle Lefebvre leads all conditioners with 42 wins.  Bob Marson sits second with 35 wins and Chris DuBois (20), Sara Harrington and Autym Sowers (19) round out the top five trainers.

Racing resumes on Saturday (July 4), as there will be no racing on Friday, July 3, a federal holiday.  After this weekend First Tracks Cumberland reverts back to a Friday-Saturday schedule, with the exception of the three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend 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

June 28, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Real Horrorshow was able to get back into the win column with a victory at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (June 27) after surviving a thrilling, stretch-long battle with Rebel’s Revenge in the second leg of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Last season’s Pine Tree State-bred freshmen champion Real Horrorshow had never tasted defeat until last week when Rebel’s Revenge sat a pocket trip and stormed down the lane to catch the colt with the previously unblemished record in his first start of the year.

Fast forward a week and the script was the same in the $15,434 Maine Sire Stakes event where Real Horrorshow was, once again, bet down to the heavy favorite at 1-5.  Regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. sent him right out from the start, blazing to an early lead.  Second choice and last week’s victor Rebel’s Revenge (9-5, Aaron Hall) ducked into the pocket and proceeded to give chase through a :29.1 opening panel and a softer 1:00 half.

Rebel’s Revenge was headstrong in the garden spot while heading down the backside the final time, with the pacesetter hitting the third panel in 1:29.2 and looking to gain some separation.  Off the turn Hall tipped Rebel’s Revenge and began to apply steady pressure on the leader.  Gaining ground with every stride the pair were locked in another furious clash down the stretch, with Rebel’s Revenge advancing within a neck of Real Horrorshow.

For the respective connections, the race was a real nail biter–right down to the wire, but ultimately the day belonged to Real Horrowshow who showed the necessary grit and fought back to retain the lead and split the beam in 1:58.2, a new lifetime best.

Trained by the senior Kevin Switzer, who also co-owns with Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., the son of Dude’s The Man returned $2.40 for his first win of the season.  He was bred by Luke and Patricia Varnum, and now has $110,664 in lifetime earnings.

Dude’s The Jet (Dave Ingraham) finished third.

In the other $15,659 division the early morning line favorite Daytoremember (9-5, Heath Campbell) rolled out aggressively to take command from post six.  From that point the son of Dude’s The Man set comfortable fractions of :29.2 and 1:00 to the mid-station. 

Down the backside and heading to the third stanza Itsjustmoney (5-1, Switzer Jr.) maintained a tight pocket as the favorite hit that marker in 1:29.3.  Around the turn the aggressor tipped and began to gain ground on the leader.  As they turned for home the pair were neck and neck with the momentum favoring the outside swinging Itsjustmoney who had a full head of steam.

With nothing but racetrack in front of him Itsjustmoney overpowered Daytoremember to break his maiden and score by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:58.4.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif the son of Thirty Two Red got his first win in 12 lifetime starts.  Bred by Bobbi Jean Carney, he returned $13.20.

Deuces Red (Mike Stevenson) got up for third.

Driver Aaron Hall started his day with a score aboard Maggie At Bat (1:57.3, $11.40), which was his 1,000^th career victory.  Hall won two more on the afternoon program with Zoes Precious RN (2:00, $19.00) and Head Of The Table (1:59.1, $12.60).  Kevin Switzer Jr. also enjoyed three wins on the program.

Racing resumes on Sunday (June 28) with another 11-race card featuring a $5,800 NW3500 Pace pitting early mild favorite Ali (3-1, Switzer Jr.) against last week’s victor Instant Replay (4-1, Hall).

This is First Tracks Cumberland’s final June weekend of Saturday-Sunday cards. During July the schedule reverts back to Friday-Saturday, with the exception of the three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet.  In addition, there will be no racing Friday, July 3, a federal holiday.

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

June 26, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two $15,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings highlight the Saturday (June 27) card at Cumberland Raceway with the formerly unbeaten Real Horrorshow looking to avenge his only lifetime loss.

Last week’s 1-9 favorite and freshmen champion, Real Horrorshow, got caught at the wire by Rebel’s Revenge in 1:58.4 at Bangor.  Matched up again in the $15,434 first division of sophomore colts, also known as the ‘glamour boys’ group, the pair square off in race seven with the Marc Tardif’s Rebel’s Revenge listed as the 9-5 co-favorite from post two with Aaron Hall.  The senior Kevin Switzer co-owns and trains Real Horrorshow (9-5, post six) who gets the services of Kevin Switzer Jr. in the bike.

What happens when the gate closes is anyone’s guess, but the wagering public may be willing to give Real Horrorshow a mulligan for last week’s loss and bet him down to the heavy favorite, once again.  Despite being saddled with an outside post, the son of Dude’s The Man has shown that he can get off the car in a hurry and position himself where he likes to be—on the front end.

In addition, Rebel’s Revenge may have been a little tighter, having had two additional starts under his belt prior to the opening round of the Maine Sire Stakes.  Alas, it will be a long season and it will be interesting to see how these two match up in the weeks and months to follow.

Dude’s The Jet (3-1, Dave Ingraham) also hails from the Tardif Taskforce, was third against this group last time out, and rounds out the top three in the first split.

In the other $15,659 division the early morning line favorite is Daytoremember (9-5, Heath Campbell, post six).  The Valerie Grondin-trained, owned and bred son of Dude’s The Man won last week’s second division and looks to repeat against a similar cast of characters. 

Marc Tardif sends three into this mix, including second choice Itsjustmoney (3-1, Switzer Jr.) whose ‘off the pace’ style may suit him well from post five.  Ghost Of Winter (7-2, Hall) and Nuh Uh (12-1, Andy Harrington) round out the Tardif troika.

Looking ahead to the following race date, the Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore trotters sees two $14,000-plus divisions going postward on Sunday (June 21). 

This is First Tracks Cumberland’s final June weekend of Saturday-Sunday cards. During July the schedule reverts back to Friday-Saturday, with the exception of the three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet.  In addition, there will be no racing Friday, July 3, a federal holiday.

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

June 22, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Heath Campbell came from way off the pace and thundered down the lane with longshot Instant Replay to catch heavy favorite Massive Speed in Sunday’s (June 21) $5,200 co-featured overnight pace at Cumberland Raceway.

When the Wes Brown starting car sped away from the frisky field of sidesteppers driver Aaron Hall sent the 1-5 public choice Massive Speed out for an early lead.  On top before the apex of the first turn, Hall cruised to a modest :29.2 opening panel, with Yamaka (10-1, Wally Watson) sitting second.  At that stage Instant Replay (27-1, Heath Campbell) had settled into sixth position, some seven lengths back from the front.

Past the half the field was in perfect alignment through that :59.1 station, with no outer flow.  Around the paddock turn Nick Graffam pulled Luckisontheway with PBR Street Gang (Andy Harrington) picking up that cover.  Just past the 1:28.4 third stanza Heath Campbell tipped Instant Replay third over, and then edged out three-wide around the final turn to start picking off horses as they rolled down toward the wire.

Fifth at the head of the stretch and barreling down the center of the racetrack, while the pacesetting Massive Speed and the pocket-sitting Yamaka were engaging in their own battle, Instant Replay would swoop them all to prevail by a nose in 1:58.

Trained by Kimberly Vafiades for owner Lawrence Huckins, the 6-year-old son of Lazarus N picked up his second win of the year and 22^nd lifetime.  His career earnings now sit at $130,932.  For the horse’s efforts, his backers were rewarded with a $57.40 payout to win on a 2-dollar ticket.

Immediately thereafter Touch Of Character strolled to a wire-to-wire score in a seasonal best 1:56.2, taking the $5,800 NW3500 Pace.  Driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Mike Cushing, it was the fifth win in a row for the 10-year-old son of Shady Character.  Owned by Darrell Tibbetts, he returned $19.80.

Also on the Sunday (June 21) card was a pair of Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore trotters.

The $15,486 division for 3-year-old trotting fillies was captured by Hayden for trainer-driver Gary Hall in 2:04.3.  Making every call a winning one, the daughter of Cantab Fashion paid $12.40.  Favorite Pembroke Lady (Heath Campbell) finished second.  In an early $14,783 division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings last year’s freshman champion Wilder N Ivy made quick work of his assignment, winning by 2-1/2 lengths in 2:01.4.  Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn, the son of To The Hilt is owned by Patricia Leavitt.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr., who just surpassed the 4,000 lifetime win threshold, enjoyed three wins on the program, including two wins with horses trained by Zach Vickerson.   Trainer Lisa Watson won a pair of races, with both winners piloted by her husband Wally Waston. 

Next week is First Tracks Cumberland’s final June weekend of Saturday-Sunday cards. During July the schedule reverts back to Friday-Saturday, with the exception of the three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet.  In addition, there will be no racing Friday, July 3, a federal holiday.

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

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – Brutalizer returned to his winning ways on Saturday (June 20) at Cumberland Raceway while taking the featured trot in wire-to-wire fashion.

After winning two-in-a-row back in May, the 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector was knocking on the door during his last three starts while being saddled with outside post positions.

This day would be different.  Driven by Andy Harrington for trainer/partner Sara Harrington, Brutalizer was bet down to 1-5 and was given his head and encouraged to roll on from the start and proceeded to set a moderate :29.2 opening panel.  Second choice Ghetto Boy (7-2, Hunter Lofthus) tracked loosely in the pocket while third choice and last week’s winner Little Macabee (8-1, Dave Ingraham) had some ground to make up in fourth.

Heading into the 1:00.2 half-mile marker Ingraham pulled Little Macabee and started his trek first over around the paddock turn and found himself engaged and at the wheel of Ghetto Boy as the field approached the 1:30.1 third station.

But this day belonged to the favorite.  Around the final turn Brutalizer had gained some separation from his pursuers and rolled down the lane an easy 2-1/2 length winner in 2:00.2 of the featured $6,400 NW5000 Trot.

Owned by Kyle Gibbs, it was his fourth win of the season and 14^th lifetime, increasing his career earnings to $153,192.  Brutalizer returned $2.60.

Ghetto Boy hung on for second; Dusty Lane Darby (McGwire Sowers) was third.

Driver Aaron Hall enjoyed three wins on the program, including two wins with horses he also trains.  Trainer Bob Marston picked up a hat trick of wins as well.

Looking ahead to the following race date, the Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore trotters sees two $14,000-plus divisions going postward on Sunday (June 21).  The first is a 12:00 noon early non-wagering race for a troika of 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings.  The second $15,486 division carded as race seven lines up six distaff trotters for their divisional debut.  Last year’s freshmen trotting filly champion, Pembroke Lady (2-1, Heath Campbell) has rightfully been given the chalky nod.  With $99,140 earned and eight wins for trainer Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger was bred by the late Bill Varney and is now owned by Brenda Varney.

On Sunday, 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), and the Pick-3 begins in race ten, 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 will continue with Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the month of June.  During July the schedule reverts back to Friday-Saturday, with the exception of the three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend 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

June 19, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Pine Tree State’s top trotters meet once again for another big Saturday card at Cumberland Raceway on June 20, which shall witness local trotter Little Macabee moving up in class and positioned outside another local star Brutalizer.

The featured $6,400 NW5000 Trot appears to be a match in the making as the 9-5 morning line favorite Brutalizer seeks his fourth win of the year, having never been worse than third in all nine of his seasonal outings.  Trained by Sara Harrington and driven by Andy Harrington, the 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector finally gets some post position relief, which may give him the trip he likes.

Little Macabee won last week’s contest by a neck over the aforementioned Brutalizer in a thrilling stretch drive.  Trained by Eric Bickmore, the 12-year-old son of Chapter Seven has also been a good earner for owner Maryann Tompkins and just went over $300,000 lifetime and now has 47 wins.  He is listed at 3-1 from post five with Dave Ingraham at the controls.

Inside both of those guys is Ghetto Boy (2-1), a horse who has been quietly moving up the ranks with two wins and three seconds in his last five outings.  Trained by Courtney Pitts and driven by Hunter Lofthus, the 8-year-old son of Cantab Hall has four scores on the season and possesses the fastest seasonal mark of all the trotters in race seven.

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), and the Pick-3 begins in race ten, 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 Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore trotters sees two $14,000-plus divisions going postward on Sunday (June 21).  The first is a 12:00 noon early non-wagering race for a troika of 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings.  The second $15,486 division carded as race seven lines up six distaff trotters for their divisional debut.  Last year’s freshmen trotting filly champion, Pembroke Lady (2-1, Heath Campbell) has rightfully been given the chalky nod.  With $99,140 earned and eight wins for trainer Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger was bred by the late Bill Varney and is now owned by Brenda Varney.

First Tracks Cumberland will continue with Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the month of June.  During July the schedule reverts back to Friday-Saturday, with the exception of the three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend 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

June 15, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Harrington’s Arts Flight set his flight path directly to the Cumberland winners circle on Sunday (June 14) as the Maine-bred steed navigated a perfect gate-to-wire triumph in the $5,800 NW3500 feature. 

Driven by Andy Harrington for trainer Sara Harrington the 5-year-old son of Artistic Fella left swiftly from post three to take command in a :28 second opening panel with Gigitygigitygigty (7-1, Todd Whitney) tracking in the garden spot.  Heading to the :58.3 half Nick Graffam tipped Luckisontheway (8-1) to the outside who was quickly followed by Aaron Hall and Massive Speed (5-2) as they passed the stands.

With the pacesetter hustling into a swift 1:26.2 third panel, and Gigitygigitygigty stalling in the pocket, Luckisontheway ducked in the two-hole before the field hit the final turn.  This left Hall and Massive Speed first over alongside Luckisontheway, as the pacers battled for second around the last bend.

As they straightened out for the stretch drive Arts Flight continued his momentum and gained separation with every stride.  With no threat in sight the duo scooted home to win by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:55.2, a new lifetime best. 

Owned by Mac Stables, it was his 14^th lifetime victory and fourth of the season, enriching his career spoils to $119,309.  Arts Flight returned $4.60 to win as the 6-5 favorite.

Luckisontheway finished second, Massive Speed was third.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. had two wins on the program, and has regained control of the leaderboard at Cumberland with 46 victories this season.  Switzer Jr. is also just four wins shy of his 4,000 win benchmark. 

Driver Steve Wilson also had a pair of victories on the afternoon card, which was cut short after the eighth race due to technical difficulties.  Trainers Bob Marston and Marc Tardif also enjoyed two wins on the abbreviated program. 

Racing resumes Saturday (June 20) at First Tracks Cumberland with the Saturday-Sunday cards slated for the next two weeks of June.  During July, the schedule reverts back to Friday-Saturday, with the following caveat: No racing on Friday, July 3, which allows for a three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend 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

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – Little Macabee added another notch to his welter weight belt while taking the co-featured $5,800 NW3500 Trot in a gutsy effort on Saturday (June 13) at Cumberland Raceway.  A diminutive giant out on the racetrack, the little horse continues to impress the fans, and his owner alike.

At age 2, Little Macabee required emergency Colic surgery and almost didn’t make it, according to his faithful owner Maryann Tompkins.  “He has the heart of a lion.  I just love him.  He has taught me a lot!”

Starting from post three regular driver Dave Ingraham let a flurry of anxious leavers scurry to the front and waited patiently for the dust to clear into a snappy :28 opening panel, led by the determined To My Credit (6-1, Alex MacDonald) with High Gear No Fear (9-5, Nick Graffam) settling into the pocket.

Heading past the three-eighths pole and around the far turn Ingraham flushed Amalie Hanover (13-1, Hunter Lofthus) from the three hole and tracked that cover through a softer :59.4 half-mile station.  Down the backstretch a first over Amalie Hanover showed trot through the 1:29.3 third panel, while the four-in, four-out field was in hot pursuit of the pacesetter To My Credit.

As the pack rounded the final turn Ingraham tipped Little Macabee three-wide to continue his momentum, with Brutalizer (7-1, Andy Harrington) at his wheel four-deep and reeling in the pacesetters.  Down the lane Little Macabee and Brutalizer had the speed and momentum to pass the inside horses as the pair matched strides right down to the wire.

Little Macabee prevailed by a neck in 2:00.4, returning $21.00 in true ‘Double Digit Dave’ fashion. It was the 47^th win of his career, and pushed his lifetime earnings to $300,988.

Trained by Eric Bickmore, the 12-year-old son of Chapter Seven has been an ultra-consistent trotter and has endeared himself to Tompkins.

“He always gives 110% effort each and every time he races,” noted his happy owner.  “He doesn’t complain at all and is a perfect gentleman.  He has a big heart and his very confident,” exclaimed Tompkins.  “I have been very blessed to have him be a part of my life.”

The exacta with Brutalizer paid $103.60.  High Gear No Fear skimmed the cones to get up for third.

In other news, the Maine Sire Stakes made its seasonal debut with two $15,209 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies.  Trainer Marc Tardif swept both divisions with the unbeaten freshman filly champion Snowonthepines (1:59, $2.10) and stable mate Dudelookslikeafily (1:59.3, $5.20).

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. had five wins on the program, including four in a row.  Graffam, Hall and Ingraham each won a pair on the 12-race card.

First Tracks Cumberland will continue with Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the month of June.  During July the schedule reverts back to Friday-Saturday, with the exception of the three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend 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

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – Another big Saturday card at Cumberland Raceway on June 13 sees local trotter Little Macabee looking for another big win in the co-featured $5,800 NW3500 Trot.

Trained by Eric Bickmore, the 12-year-old son of Chapter Seven has been an ultra-consistent trotter and is just a few bucks shy of $300,000 lifetime.  With 46 wins and hitting the board in over half of his 285 career outings, the ‘little horse that can’ has endeared himself to his owner Maryann Tompkins.

With two wins in his last six starts, Little Macabee has been installed as the 3-1 early morning line favorite with regular veteran driver Dave Ingraham at the controls.

His primary threat may come from To My Credit (9-2, Alex MacDonald) who has been knocking on the door in the upper class and finds himself a little softer landing spot in here.  Of course, we cannot exclude the one-two punch of Storm Bringer (5-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Jax Spratt (5-1) from the Aaron Hall stable.  Last, but not least, Brutalizer (5-1, Andy Harrington) has handled the likes of these before, and although he is saddled with post eight, he cannot be overlooked.

In addition, the Maine Sire Stakes kicks off its 2026 season in races three and seven with a pair of $15,209 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies.  In the latter event, the unbeaten star and freshmen champion Snowonthepines makes her seasonal debut and looks to keep her winning streak intact.  Trained by Marc Tardif and driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., the daughter of Dude’s The Man earned $99,000 last season with a perfect 9-for-9 unblemished record.

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), and the Pick-3 begins in race ten, 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 $5,800 feature on Sunday (June 14) is the NW3500 in race eight, fans are waiting for former Maine Sire Stakes champion Massive Speed to regain his sophomore form.  The 4-year-old son of Dude’s The Man earned $130,788 last season, and is adjusting to the tougher older ranks in his fourth seasonal outing.  He has both Luckisontheway (5-2, Nick Graffam) and Arts Flight (7-2, Harrington) to contend with on the inside.

First Tracks Cumberland will continue with Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the month of June.  During July the schedule reverts back to Friday-Saturday, with the exception of the three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend 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

June 8, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Rock Candy utilized his pylon position to secure his supremacy in the $6,400 featured NW5000 Pace on Sunday (June 7) at Cumberland Raceway, showing once again that the shortest distance between two points is straight.

At the start three horses made a mad dash for the lead with Kevin Switzer Jr. holding Rock Candy steady along the pegs while offsetting the rush of Vel Straight Out (2-1, McGwire Sowers) and Vel Larry (14-1, Mike Stevenson) as the three hard-chargers stormed to the opening panel in a testy :27.2.

Heading into the second turn Sowers took Vel Straight Out back to third with Stevenson moving forward with Vel Larry in a short-lived pacesetting position.  By the time the pacers rounded the bend Switzer Jr. had re-taken the point with heavy 4-5 favorite Rock Candy and proceeded to dictate the terms of the engagement, backing down the half to :57.4.

As they passed the stands for the first time Aaron Hall had swung Married Man (5-1) first over with Liam’s Ace (7-1) enjoying that second up cover.  Down the backside the final time Married Man was parked and stalling, forcing Liam’s Ace three-wide into a 1:27 third station.

Around the final turn Liam’s Ace took aim on the leader, but Rock Candy was as solid as a rock and drew off like a 4 to 5 shot should, scoring in 1:56.4 which was a new seasonal best.

Owned and trained by Zach Vickerson, it was the 40^th career victory for the 10-year-old son of Pet Rock.  His lifetime earnings now exceed $720,000, and he returned $3.60 for the score.

Liam’s Ace was second by 1-3/4 lengths, Vel Larry hung on for the show dough.

Switzer Jr. started the day with victories in both halves of the daily double, scoring with Ali (1:56, $2.20) and Beyond The Past (1:57.1, $2.80).  Then he won the fourth with Touch Of Character (1:56.3, $3.20), the aforementioned ninth race feature, and concluded his pentathlon in the finale with Jet Wills (2:00.3, $4.00).

In a prep for the upcoming opening leg of the Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing fillies next Saturday (June 13), several Pine Tree State-bred sophomores battled in the $4,000 Maiden Pace.  When the dust settled it was I’m Not Maverick, a 4-year-old full brother for former Maine champion Call Me Maverick, who got his first lifetime victory with Mike Stevenson in the sulky.

Trained by Alison Hynes, and a proud graduate of the Gordon Corey School of Equine Erudition, the diminutive horse with big shoes to fill was eighth, back 12 lengths at the half and swooped them all to narrowly score in 2:02. The homebred property of Upland Farm, I’m Not Maverick returned $5.60. 

With his five wins on Sunday Switzer Jr. vaulted up the driving ranks to second place with 39 wins, just three behind Nick Graffam who had a pair of wins Sunday and sits on top with 42 on the season.  Aaron Hall is in third place with 37.

Racing resumes Saturday (June 13) when First Tracks Cumberland will continue with Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the month of June.  During July the schedule reverts back to Friday-Saturday, with the exception of a three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend 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:https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/