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/

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – Ghetto Boy made quick work of his last assignment on Saturday (June 6) at Cumberland Raceway, taking the $5,800 featured NW3500 Trot in a seasonal best equaling 1:59.3.

When the Wes Brown starting gate wings folded reinsman Hunter Lofthus sent the 8-year-old son of Cantab Hall out to the top, and never looked back.  Guiding the steady trotter through opening fractions of :29 and 1:00.1, Dusty Lane Darby (McGwire Sowers) sat patiently in the two-hole while the rest of the field continued to consider their options.

Heading down the backstretch for the second time Nick Graffam tipped High Gear No Fear to the outside from third position with Dave Ingraham sitting fourth with Little Macabee into a 1:29.3 third panel.  Around the final turn no trotters improved their relative positions, with the exception of the pacesetting Ghetto Boy who had plenty left in the tank and gained additional separation from the rest of the pack while heading toward the finish wire.

Trained by Courtney Pitts for owner Ryan Popovich, he returned $3.60 for the two length victory.

Dusty Lane Darby finished second; High Gear No Fear was third.

Lofthus teamed up with Pitts once again two races later to win with Amalie Hanover (2:01) returning $8.00 in the $5,200 NW2500 conditioned trot.

Drivers McGwire Sowers and Kevin Switzer Jr. also enjoyed a pair of wins on the afternoon card.

With the recent passing of beloved Maryland stallion Roddy’s Bags Again, the Delmarva Deity must have been looking down on his protégé when Switzer Jr. steered Roddys Filly to a five length 1:56 romp for trainer Bob Marston, returning an eye-popping $43.60.

Looking ahead to the following race date, the $6,400 feature on Sunday (June 7) is the NW5000 in race nine, pitting two winners from last week: Vel Strait Out (5-2, McGwire Sowers, PP2) and Rock Candy (7-2, Kevin Switzer Jr., PP 1) against the always tough Married Man (3-1, Aaron Hall) from post six.  This race is shaping up to be a real shoot out with an aggressive bunch of evenly matched side-steppers.

In addition, with the opening leg of the Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing fillies slated for next Saturday (June 13), several of the season’s anticipated participants will be going postward in the $4,000 Maiden Pace carded as race eight.  Sibling relatives to former Pine Tree State champions can be found in Graceofspades and I’m Not Maverick who are seeking their first trip to the winners circle.

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – Ultra-consistent Ghetto Boy looks to continue his good fortune on Saturday (June 6) in the $5,800 featured NW3500 Trot at Cumberland Raceway with a special first post time of 2:45 pm to merge with the Saratoga Thoroughbred card featuring the Belmont Stakes. 

Trained by Courtney Pitts for owner Ryan Popovich, the 8-year-old son of Cantab Hall has been moving up the trotting ranks admirably and has three wins and four second place finishes in just nine starts this season.  Driven by Hunter Lofthus, an “amateur driver” who should have received his ‘A’ license last year, the trotter won against similar company a fortnight ago.  Installed as the early 2-1 morning line favorite, he scores from post two in the featured fourth race on the 10-race program.

Just inside of Ghetto Boy is fan favorite Little Macabee, who has been knocking bridles with the area’s best of the diagonal set for years.  Leaving from pylon position and with the driving services of Dave Ingraham the 12-year-old son of Chapter Seven may find this group to his liking.

The second choice on the morning line at 7-2 is Storm Bringer with the red hot Aaron Hall.  He steps down in company from his last outing at Plainridge to a group much more suited to his speed and class.  The 9-year-old son of Explosive Matter scores from post five.

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 7-10) and boasts a $997.17 carryover from last week.  The Pick-3 begins in race eight, and all boast a low 16% takeout.  In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four and six, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale. 

Looking ahead to the following race date, the $6,400 feature on Sunday (June 7) is the NW5000 in race nine, pitting two winners from last week: Vel Strait Out (5-2, McGwire Sowers, PP2) and Rock Candy (7-2, Kevin Switzer Jr., PP 1) against the always tough Married Man (3-1, Aaron Hall) from post six.  This race is shaping up to be a real shoot out with an aggressive bunch of evenly matched side-steppers.

In addition, with the opening leg of the Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing fillies slated for next Saturday (June 13), several of the season’s anticipated participants will be going postward in the $4,000 Maiden Pace carded as race eight.  Sibling relatives to former Pine Tree State champions can be found in Graceofspades and I’m Not Maverick who are seeking their first trip to the winners circle.

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. 

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 31, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Aaron Hall is making his ascent toward the top of the leaderboard at Maine’s Cumberland Raceway as the 32-year-old teamster won four races on Saturday (May 30), including the $7,000 feature.

Hall wasted little time getting his grand slam afternoon underway by winning the second half of the daily double with Jamie Gerard’s Polyester by a nose in 2:01.3.  The 6-year-old mare is from the one of the final New York crops of Dude’s The Man and now has $146,466 in lifetime earnings with 26 career victories.  She returned $8.20 for the score.

Despite the unseasonable chill in the air, Hall remained hot as he finished second in the next three races in which he had a mount.  Next up was the $7,000 Winners Over Pace in race eight where he came from dead last at the half to grind his way to the top and score with Vel Trust In Time in 1:57. 

Owned by Clifford Grundy for trainer Tammy Sowers, the 5-year-old son of Lost In Time picked up his second win in a row and eighth of the season, returning $12.40.

Married Man (Nick Graffam) finished second; heavy favorite Jones Hanover (Kevin Switzer Jr.) cut the mile and faded to third.

Hall grabbed the next pair of races with Urania Blue Chip (1:59.4, $20.20) for trainer Dalton Lee, and Society Jill (2:00.2, $22.20) for trainer Kimberly Vafiades.

Overall Hall had four wins, four seconds and a fifth in nine starts on the card.  After the races Hall noted that he doesn’t really concern himself with win totals.

“I just try to drive each race independently and make the most money I can for the people putting their trust in me,” humbly noted Hall.

Aaron Hall’s big day helped vault the steady-handed reinsman much closer to the top of the leaderboard with 37 scores on the season.  That brings him within just two wins of current leader Nick Graffam who has 39 wins.  Kevin Switzer Jr. is in third place with 32 wins.  McGwire Sowers had three wins on the card and now sits in fourth place with 24.  Andy Harrington and Mike Stevenson are tied for fifth at 21.

Trainer Tammy Sowers had four wins on the program.  Michelle Lefebvre leads all conditioners with 34 seasonal victories at Cumberland.

Racing resumes on Saturday (June 6) with a special 2:45 pm post time, to merge schedules with the Belmont at Saratoga card, which is the third leg of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown.  First Tracks Cumberland will provide on-site viewing and wagering with doors opening at 12 noon.

The racing schedule is now 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 30, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – In the weekly matchup of Maine’s top trotters on Friday (May 29) the up–and-coming Top Down provided a mild upset in the $7,000 featured Winners Over class.

With last week’s victor Big Al M scratched sick, and Brutalizer (1-5, Harrington) parked the last half, Mike Stevenson showed that it all comes down to patience and timing.

While the 9-2 third choice victor got away fourth and sat chilly through a peppy :28.2 opening panel set by Hunter Lofthus and Ghetto Boy (4-1), the two-hole sitting Dusty Lane Darby (9-1, McGwire Sowers) tried popping the deuce to no avail.

With Ghetto Boy leading the pack into a :58.3 half-mile station, Brutalizer didn’t stick around his three hole position very long.  Stevenson and Top Down followed that cover through a 1:28 third stanza, and then tipped three wide to continue his momentum that was being held up by a hesitant Brutalizer.

Around the final turn Top Down was trotting in high gear and set his sights on the leader while passing Brutalizer in mid-stretch.  At the wire Stevenson had timed his assault perfectly and prevailed by three parts of a length over the pacesetting Ghetto Boy in 1:59.

Trained and owned by Bob Marston, the 7-year-old son of Archangel lowered his seasonal mark by nearly three seconds, and upped his lifetime earnings to $135,857.  He paid $11.60 for the win.

Wagering favorite Brutalizer hung on for third.

With the Maine Sire Stakes making its seasonal debut at Cumberland in just two short weeks, the Tardif Taskforce was out in force with a couple of Pine Tree State-bred sophomore pacers.  Perhaps intending to just dip their toes in the water, two of the pupils jumped right into the deep end against older horses and came away with seasonal victories under their belts. 

Ghost Of Winter, a roan son of Deuce Seelster, took a new 2:00.1 lifetime mark for owner Leighton Property, winning by a neck over Graceofspades, who is a full brother to champion filly Gowestyounggrace.  Driven by Aaron Hall to his second lifetime win off a three-wide backside sprint, he is trained by Marc Tardif and returned a whopping $22.00 to win.

A few hours later Hall reunited with Tardif to give Rebel’s Revenge a maiden-breaking rout in 1:59.2.  Tardif also owns the 3-year-old son of Deuce Seelster, and he returned $5.80.

Andy Harrington led all drivers with three wins on the 11-race program. Trainers Sara Harrington and Michelle Lefebvre also enjoyed a pair of winners.

Looking ahead to the following race date, the $7,000 feature on Saturday (May 30) is the ‘Winners Over’ in race eight, pitting Jones Hanover (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) against Married Man (2-1, Nick Graffam) who won last week’s contest by a measured half-length in a seasonal best 1:55.2. 

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 8-11).  The Pick-3 begins in race nine, 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 final Friday-Saturday racing schedule this weekend.  Next month the schedule reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the meet. 

Except for special occasions, like next week’s Belmont at Saratoga, 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 28, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Nearly every weekend this spring Maine’s best trotters have bumped bridles at Cumberland Raceway, with the two top dogs–Big Al M and Brutalizer at the center of skirmishes.  Once again on Friday (May 29) the $7,000 featured Winners Over Trot will go postward with either one of the accomplished steeds being sent off as the favorite.

The Sara Harrington-trained Brutalizer (2-1, Andy Harrington) enters the fray with three wins on the season, two of which were against Big Al M (5-2, Zach Vickerson).  However the latter used a ‘catch me if you can’ strategy to take last week’s tussle, and thus assumed the current bragging rights.

Vickerson’s Big Al M also has three wins on the season with $537,430 earned lifetime, but starts from post six, whereas his nemesis Brutalizer ($147,702 lifetime) is just inside at post five.  The event is slated as race seven on an 11 race program.

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 8-11).  The Pick-3 begins in race nince, 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 $7,000 feature on Saturday (May 30) is the ‘Winners Over’ in race eight, pitting Jones Hanover (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) against Married Man (2-1, Nick Graffam) who won last week’s contest by a measured half-length in a seasonal best 1:55.2. 

First Tracks Cumberland hosts their final Friday-Saturday racing schedule this weekend.  Next month 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 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