May 28, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – When First Tracks Cumberland Race Secretary Marc Reynolds opened Saturday’s ‘virtual’ entry box on Wednesday morning he could not believe his eyes.

Reynolds exclaimed, “We always thought that the Maine horsemen and women would support the Cumberland meet.  But this Saturday was a very pleasant surprise with 115 horses in the box!”

When the cyber-dust settled, eleven races were carded, continuing with the new post time of 2:30 pm, and with the addition of the Maine Amateur Driving Club.

Club president, Joe Burke stated, “People are excited and ready to start driving again.  Historically, this has been a very competitive series.  We had fifteen drivers join the club this year, which includes four from the New England club that races at Plainridge.”

“Once people see it in action, the interest will continue to grow.  The management of Cumberland is on board, and we have a new trophy sponsor with Blue Seal Feeds…so it’s all coming together,” Burke added.

Carded as race eight for a purse of $4,000, several of the Maine amateur reinsmen own and/or train their mounts, which should lead to an exciting contest.  Second choice Hoboken Hanover has been knocking on the door and hopes to make this start a winning one.  Owned, trained and now driven by 65-year-old Charles Eaton III in a pari-mutuel race, he won the first-ever qualifier at the new First Tracks Cumberland meet on Saturday, May 1.

Hoboken Hanover is a 14-year-old son of Cam’s Card Shark and sports 69 lifetime wins and $423,000 in earnings.

Aimee Nichols, territory sales manager for Maine and the Canadian Maritimes, will present the trophy on behalf of the Kent Nutrition Group, makers of Blue Seal Feeds.

Nichols noted, “Perhaps I am somewhat biased, but I will be cheering for Led Schneppelin, the horse with the cool name and 34 lifetime wins.”  Co-owned and driven by Mike McGee, he is trained by Blue Seal Feeds brand ambassador Aaron Hall.

“My colleagues at Blue Seal are excited to be a part of the new era of Harness Racing in Southern Maine here in Cumberland.” Nichols added.  “I love the sport and enjoy watching the horses charge down the stretch…many of which happen to be strengthened by Blue Seal Feeds!”

Also on the card is the $6,000 Winners Over Trot, headed by Caulfield who is looking for his fourth win in a row.  The 9-year-old son of Kadabra leaves from the assigned post seven.  The top pace of the day is race ten, a $4,200 NW3000 that appears to be a wide open and speedy affair, pitting several classy campaigners against some upstart, younger foes.

May 27, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland, in collaboration with Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor has announced a new pacing series to be held at both racetracks throughout the month of July.

“The upcoming Maine Legends Pacing Series is very exciting for harness racing in the state of Maine,” stated Cumberland Race Secretary Marc Reynolds.  “This is the first ‘late closer-style’ event offered in 2021, and we anticipate creating additional series as demand grows.”

While this is a great opportunity for Maine horsemen with a $12,500 guaranteed final purse, the benefits don’t stop there.

Reynolds added, “It has been a pleasure working alongside Paul Verette to get this series off the ground.  His knowledge of the industry in general, coupled with his close connection to New England Standardbreds specifically, has made the prospect of developing and aligning a complimentary racing schedule with Bangor such a success.  And the winners are the Owners, Trainers and Drivers that compete in the region.”

Named for a two of the most revered Maine Harness Horsemen of the current era, Freeman Parker and Donnie Richards, the series is unique in that there is no entry fee.  In addition, it provides racing opportunities for both horses/geldings and for mares, 4-years-old and older that may be ‘stuck’ between classes.  The legs and the finals alternate between Bangor and Cumberland, beginning the week of July 6.

The series is open to pacers that have started for a base claiming price of $6,000 or less since November 1, 2020, and have not won for a base claiming price exceeding $8,000, or have not won a race for a purse of $10,000 or more from November 1, 2020 through date of first leg entry.

Living legends in their own right, Freeman Parker and Donnie Richards each amassed over 4,000 driving wins in their respective careers, spanning numerous decades.  Both are well-known and much-admired for their horsemanship and on-track success throughout New England, as well as their humility and kindness off the track. 

Although they hung up their driving colors a few years back, Richards still trains a few horses and just won a race at Cumberland last week.

Parker Freeman’s passion for harness racing is still as strong as ever.  On an almost daily basis he stops by to visit Eddie Fournier, his longtime friend and horse trainer who keeps his horses in Auburn, ME.

Racing from Cumberland is presented LIVE each Tuesday and Saturday, through July 31, with a NEW post time of 2:30 pm.  For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.