July 12, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. won nearly half the races on the 13-race card at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (July 11), including the co-features.

With the Maine Amateur Driving Club Race in the opener (Todd Whitney), Switzer got things going as early as he could—in the second race.

In the late half of the early double Switzer put Rau Ru on the front end in the $4,600 Claiming Pace (6,000 tag) and never looked back.  Winning by 5-3/4 lengths in 1:56.2, it was the swiftest race of the day for owner-trainer Zach Vickerson.  They returned $2.20.

Switzer Jr. came right back in the third with Coach Cutsinger (1:57.2, $3.20) for trainer Randy Bickmore which paid $3.20.  Then the black and blue-clad teamster won the co-featured $5,200 NW2550 with Rock Candy in 1:56.4.  Also owned and trained by Vickerson, he returned $2.40.

In the eighth race Switzer Jr. finished second and was placed first with Quatrain Blue Chip, returning $2.80.

Familiar face Sheriff N took charge in the eleventh and enjoyed a pillar to post rout in 1:56.4.  Also owned and trained by Zach Vickerson, he paid $3.80 with Switzer Jr aboard.

Finally, Switzer Jr. closed out his six win afternoon with an off the pace score behind Mallard.  Getting up under the shadow of the wire in 1:59, the Bob Marston-trained steed paid a whopping $24.40.

Driver Nick Graffam enjoyed a hat trick on the program, and veteran driver-trainer John Nason won a pair with his own Ridgecrest Dan (1:57.4, $5.00) and Cheri’s Choice (1:58.1, $3.80).

Kevin Switzer Jr. continues his reign atop the leader board with 74 seasonal victories at First Tracks Cumberland.  Nick Graffam (58) and Aaron Hall (49) round out the top three.

Michelle Lefebvre has 49 training wins for current conditioner honors, followed by Bob Marston who has 36.

Racing resumes on Friday (July 17) in concert with the track’s Friday – Saturday schedule for the remainder of the month.  The only exception being 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/

July 11, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – With their seasonal hopes on the line, the Maine faithful sent this year’s group of freshmen sidesteppers out onto the Cumberland Raceway on Friday (July 10) for three $14,000 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

With nothing but a qualifying race or two under their belts the fresh-faced youngsters provided some thrills, and some anxious moments, for the Downeast crowd at the iconic Southern oval.

Despite being rough gaited as the wings folded Agent James Bond (9-5, Kevin Switzer Jr.) rolled on aggressively and then inherited the point when the favorite Dudeisadelight (4-5, Ron Cushing) made a speed break down the backstretch as the first division headed toward their very first pari-mutuel :30 opening panel.

Agent James Bond led the single file pack to a 1:00.4 half-mile marker with Dudeisadelight back on-stride tracking along in the pocket and Survive The Ride (6-1, Aaron Hall) poised in third.  At the paddock draw gate Painter’s Treasure (13-1, Andy Harrington) tipped from fifth and nine lengths in arrears to start the outer flow.  They reached the third stanza in 1:30.4 with Survive The Ride providing Painter’s Treasure with second over cover as they rounded the turn for home.

Harrington tipped Painter’s Treasure three-wide for the stretch drive and reeled in his combatants to prevail by a neck in 2:02.1 for trainer Sara Harrington.

Owned and bred by Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps, the son State Treasurer is a half-brother to Glorilla p,3,1:56f ($101,421).  He paid a whopping $28.60 to win the first race of his career.

Agent James Bond finished second; Dudeisadelight was third.

The second $14,000 division was a gate-to-wire romp by The Gucci Man and Kevin Switzer Jr.

Setting strategic early fractions of :29.1 and 1:01.1, the son of Dude’s The Man was able to gain separation after a 1:30.4 third panel and win by 6-3/4 lengths in 2:00.2, the swiftest division of the 81 degree afternoon.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, the 2-1 second choice returned $6.00 while posting a :29.3 final quarter.  Harriman (9-1, Nick Graffam), a half-brother to Cousin Margie p,3,1:54h ($126,532) finished second; favorite Rustysonlytreasure (8-5, Aaron Hall) was third.

In the third and final $14,000 division of the Maine Sire Stakes it was another wire-to-wire triumph for Top Notch Treasure who completed the circuit in 2:02.2.

Driver Mike Stevenson set comfortable fractions of :30.4, 1:03, and 1:32.4 before drawing off to win by six lengths as the 3-5 favorite.

Trained by Christopher Dubois for owner Steven Moskowitz Racing, Top Notch Treasure is a State Treasurer half-brother to This Dudes Perfect p,4,1:56.3h ($87,699).  He was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe and returned $3.20.

Justcallmebuddy (8-5, Aaron Hall) a Deuce Seelster full brother to Justcallmebuck p,4,1:51f ($212,960) finished second; Two Bolts (16-1, Mike Cushing) was third.

Driver Nick Graffam led all drivers with four wins on the 13-race program, including a victory in the overnight featured $6,400 NW5000 Trot with Party At Seven (1:58.4, $12.80).

Racing continues on Saturday (July 11) in keeping with the track’s Friday – Saturday schedule for the remainder of the month.  The only exception being 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

July 9, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Chris Tully photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Three $14,000 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings bolster Friday’s (July 10) 13-race card at Cumberland Raceway, with the freshmen sidesteppers all making their first pari-mutuel starts.

The first division is slated as race three and features several full- or half-brothers to previous Maine Sire Stakes stars.  Many had taken advantage of the baby races held at Cumberland over the last several weeks, with several who had taken qualifying marks in those preliminary events.

The co-favorite from post two is part of a tandem from the Tardif Taskforce is Survive The Ride (3-1, Aaron Hall) who is a Deuce Seelster full brother to Mrs Foxy Roxy p,4,1:57h ($111,990).  Scoring from pylon position is Dudeisadelight (7-2, Ron Cushing) who is a Dude’s The Man half-brother to Hesjustadelight p,4,1:52.4f ($221,169).  In addition, Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps sends Painter’s Treasure (5-1, Andy Harrington) into the mix, who is a State Treasurer half-brother to Glorilla p,3,1:56f ($101,421).

The second $14,000 division is led by Rustysonlytreasure (5-1, Aaron Hall) who is the first foal from the successful racemare Rusty’s Treasure p,4,1:55.3f ($192,258).  Tardif also sends One Last Deal (9-2, Andy Harrington) who is a Dude’s The Man half-brother to Deal With It Roman p,1:55.1h ($214,082), who he also owns and bred.  M&L Of Delaware, who had an ownership interest in Dude’s The Man while he raced, bred Duderrific (7-2, Heath Campbell), a half-brother to Manador p,2,1:54.4.f ($102,155).

The third and final division of the Maine Sire Stakes features Justcallmebuddy (5-1, Aaron Hall) a Deuce Seelster full brother to 4 in 1:55 or faster and the winners of nearly a million dollars, including Justcallmebuck p,4,1:51f ($212,960).  Tardif sends out They Call Me Jaws (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.), a Thirty Two Red half-brother to Whisper Of Luck p,4,1:57.2h ($100,662).  Rounding out the top three is Top Notch Treasure (7-1, Mike Stevenson) who is a State Treasurer half-brother to  This Dudes Perfect p,4,1:56.3h ($87,699).

Racing continues on Saturday (July 11) in keeping with the track’s Friday – Saturday schedule for the remainder of the month.  The only exception being 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

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – Sophomore trotting filly Hayden put her name in the record books on the country’s 250^th birthday, equaling the track record in her division on Saturday (July 4) at Cumberland Raceway.

In the $14,000 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old distaff trotters the daughter of Cantab Fashion wasted little time taking command with trainer-driver Gary Hall sending the 2/5 favorite out for an early lead.   With 9-5 second choice Pembroke Lady (Heath Campbell) tipping out and challenging the leader going to the :30 second first panel, the bold move lasted a only few strides before ducking back in the two hole. 

Hall let out a notch on Hayden after heading into the softer 1:01.2 midway point, prompting Mike Cushing to pull Our Last Quote and begin the outer flow.  That challenge was relatively short-lived as that 6-1 third choice ducked back into the gap left open by a stalling Pembroke Lady as the field passed the third station in 1:31.1.

Around the turn and down the stretch Hayden and Hall continued to put distance between themselves and their pursuers, drawing off by 4-1/2 lengths to score in a track record equaling 2:01.1.

Owned and bred by Stephen Hall, it was the second seasonal victory for Hayden, along with a new time badge.  She returned $2.80 for the fourth win of her career.

Our Last Quote finished second; Race Me Boomer was third.

In the other $14,783 Maine Sire Stakes division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings, last week’s victor Wilder N Idy continued to show his racing prowess.  Cutting early fractions of :30 and 1:01.4 the son of To The Hilt showed no signs of slowing down.

As is par for the course, Athearn gave his colt a second-quarter breather and then tapped the accelerator and brushed through a 1:31 third panel.  Down the stretch, the duo continued to gain separation and sprinted home a 4-3/4 length winner in 2:00.2, a new lifetime mark.

Wilder and Ivy is trained by Gretchen Athearn and owned by Patricia Leavitt.  Bred by the late Mike Andrew, he now has $122,322 in lifetime earnings.

The early, non-wagering race was the second seasonal outing, and victory, for Wilder N Idy.  Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) finished second; Trottinfortreasure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

Racing resumes on Friday (July 10) and will continue with a Friday – Saturday schedule for the remainder of the month.  The only exception being 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 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. 

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Racing Info