May 12, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Ron Cushing steered Rock Diamonds N to a nose victory over Twomacsoneshadow (Kevin Switzer Jr) to capture the $6,000 Winners Over feature in 1:55.2h at Cumberland on a special Wednesday afternoon card.  The winning time was the fastest of the season at the new First Tracks Cumberland meet, and gave driver / co-owner Ron Cushing his first win over the Southern Maine surface this season.

Trained by Heidi Gibbs and co-owned with Kevin Sywyk, the 8-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover has now hit the board 6 times in his last 12 starts.  Rock Diamonds N paid $2.60 to win. 

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the first training win for 19-year-old Christopher DuBois, who visited the winner’s circle with his own Panhellenic p,1:52.3f ($204,500), a 14-year-old son of No Pan Intended.  The Mechanic Falls, Maine resident had his father, sister, nieces and nephews join him for the celebration of getting his first victory in 17 tries, with a 20-1 longshot!

Driven to victory by Kevin Switzer, Jr, Panhellenic paid a whopping $42.00 to win.

The second fastest race of the day was captured by Safety Second in 1:57.1h, a pacing event for $5,000 claimers.  Driven by Dan Deslandes for trainer Karl Butterfield, the 6-year-old gelded son of Custard The Dragon is owned by Barry Franklin, Westbury, NY.

Safety Second paid $3.00 to win.

Bruce Ranger enjoyed a back-to-back driving triple on the nine-race card, duplicating his efforts yesterday, including victories both trot races.  Heath Campbell had two wins on the card.

Racing from Cumberland continues Saturday, Preakness Day, May 15, first post 4:15 pm.  For more information go to our website firsttrackscumberland.com and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 11, 2021, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

Cumberland, ME — Maine icon Bruce Ranger scored in 1:56h with Sarah’s Lilly to cap off a driving triple under sunny skies on Cumberland’s first Tuesday card.

Sarah’s Lilly and Bruce Ranger scored in 1:56 at Cumberland Tuesday. Chris Tully photo.

The $6,000 Fillies and Mares Winners Over Pace saw the 5-year-old mare by He’s Gorgeous pace to a wire-to-wire romp. The victory also gave the mare’s trainer Ben Merrill three trips to the winner’s circle, where Ben and his wife Lauren also celebrated their wedding anniversary.

Sarah’s Lilly was bred by Irwin Kaplan and is owned by Moo Coo Inc. (Ellen and Irwin Kaplan). She paid $5.20 to win.

It was opening day all over again for Webmaster Hanover who won the first race on Saturday and came back just three days later and won again, taking a new seasonal mark of 1:57.1h. The 6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere was driven by Drew Campbell for trainer Brian Lamb and owner Mona Dodd.

Bred by the sport’s leading nursery, Hanover Shoe Farms, Webmaster Hanover paid $8.60 to win.

Several teamsters enjoyed driving doubles on the nine-race card, including Heath Campbell and McGwire Sowers, the 21-year-old up-and-comer who has set up shop in Maine following a successful run at Monticello.

Racing from Cumberland continues Wednesday (May 12), first post 4:15 p.m. For more information go to our website firsttrackscumberland.com and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 8, 2021 – by Chris Tully

CUMBERLAND, Maine – Saturday’s opening day at Cumberland enjoyed a large crowd and widespread support from on-track punters, as well as simulcast outlets, for the nine-race card.

The first extended pari-mutuel meeting to open in over twenty years that was not owned by a casino enjoyed mild temperatures that brought several hundred people to the Cumberland Fairground’s apron to enjoy a full day of harness racing.

Over nine races, the swiftest of the day went to iconic driver and Maine-native Bruce Ranger who steered 12-year-old Ira Chief to victory for trainer Dennis Whittemore and owner Diane Whittemore in 1:57.2h.  Six races went faster than 2:00 and only two races were won by the betting favorites.

First Tracks Investments CEO Mike Cianchette was pleased that the Maine owners, trainers and drivers supported the inaugural event.

“I am also very grateful to the team at Black Bear Racing and the fans that turned out to enjoy the races.  None of this happens with any one person.  It’s only a success if we all work together.”

Race Secretary Marc Reynolds was equally excited about the energy in the air and enthusiasm of the horsemen.

“The turnout for the crowd was more than anyone expected.  You can feel the electricity in the air with the momentum of Maine harness racing.

Racing from Cumberland continues Tuesday and Wednesday, May 11 & 12, first post 4:15 pm.  Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 4, 2021  —  by Chris Tully

CUMBERLAND, ME – The box is open for the Saturday, May 8, opening day at First Tracks Cumberland.  Declarations close on Wed., May 5 at 9 a.m.

In addition, Cumberland Race Secretary Marc Reynolds has posted the condition sheets for a second round of qualifiers (Sat., May 8), to be held at 3 p.m.

Throughout the Spring/Summer race meet, first post for pari-mutuel harness racing will be 4:15 pm.

There will also be a double draw on Sunday, May 9 for the next two Southern Maine race dates, Tuesday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 12. 

As always, the condition sheets are available on the USTA’s website:

http://horsemen.ustrotting.com/conditions/index.cfm

Horsemen are reminded that they must complete and submit a racing application before entering or racing at Cumberland.  The form is available at the following link:

https://firsttrackscumberland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Racing-Application-FirstTracksCumberland-web.pdf

May 1, 2021, by Chris Tully

The first qualifiers at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday morning (May 1) advanced nearly twenty additional horses for the new era of Southern Maine harness racing.

Under sunny skies “catch-drive” announcer Mike Cushing called the action for a total of five races, to the delight of dozens of fans and spectators that lined the outside fence of the iconic Cumberland oval.

The first race of the day went to classy campaigner HOBOKEN HANOVER p,4,1:50.4f ($421,746).  Owned, trained and driven by Charles Eaton III, the 14-year-old son of Cam’s Card Shark has 69 lifetime victories to his credit.

Racing Secretary Marc Reynolds was extremely happy with today’s events.  “I could feel a genuine sense of excitement amongst the horsemen and staff.”

“Our track crew has done a fantastic job with the racing surface itself.  Anyone that was able to tune in to watch would have been impressed with the quality and clarity of the signal.  To me, this is a clear indicator of the level of commitment brought by First Tracks in providing a quality racing product.”

Fastest mile of the day went to PLUS ONE p,1:50.4f ($113,378), a 6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere.  He was driven to a 2:01.1h solo victory by his owner Joseph Burke for trainer Robert Marston.

On the trotting side, the quickest of the day was a 3-year-old Muscle Hill filly named ME TOO BABY 2,1:58.f ($41,720).  Owned and bred by long-time Maine racing icon Thomas Dillion, she tripped the teletimer in 2:05h with driver Matthew Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn.

Clearly a promising day for the future of Maine harness racing, First Tracks Investments LLC eagerly anticipates their opening day card, Saturday, May 8^th with a 4:15 pm post time at the Cumberland Fairgrounds.

Qualifiers will also be held on opening day, Saturday, May 8th at 3 p.m., before the start of the pari-mutuel card.

More information about attendance for opening day will be posted on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com when it becomes available.