June 23, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland enjoyed a great turnout for their first of many ‘Tuesday at the Track’ events, where corporate sponsors, colleagues and employees were eager to attend live harness racing, enjoy food and refreshments, and make winners circle presentations to the winning connections. In addition, the USTA’s Wendy Ross, recently named the Social Media and Publicity Manager, was on hand to conduct interviews on the simulcast programs, as well as meet and greet the attendees.
Nearly one hundred representatives and friends and family from Gorham Savings Bank, HM Payson Financial, Optimum Construction, and Porta & Company Commercial Real Estate took part in the festivities.
Tuesday’s (June 22) full card of ten pari-mutuel harness races featured a $10,422 Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters, which was won by Wild Oats and trainer/driver Ivan Davies. The son of Boy Band maintained his pylon sitting post position and never relinquished control, wiring the field in a swift 2:00.1, a new track record for 3-year-old gelding trotters. He is owned, and was bred by Michael Andrew.
Wild Oats paid $6.40 to win. Billy B (Wallace Watson) finished second; Pembroke Regal (Heath Campbell) was third.
An early $9,967 non-betting race featuring 3YO Maine-bred trotting fillies was captured by Emmajean Jellybean, a sophomore daughter of Mister Anson. Driver Steve Wilson left boldly from post three to control the tempo, and maintained that advantage through two circuits and held off any would-be challengers to win in 2:02.3. A new lifetime mark for the Charlene Cushing-trained distaff, she is owned by R. DiPompo Jr & Michael Graham (also the breeders) along with Pamela Smith and Jane DePompo.
In the featured overnight race of the day, Southwind Terror has continued to wreak havoc among his class of upper echelon pacers. Taking his fourth win in a row, the 11-year-old son of Camluck was pressed hard, coming first over into a :56 half, then parked three-wide in a 1:25.1 three-quarter’s to win the $5,200 conditioned pace in 1:55.3. Driven by Nick Graffam and trained by Christopher Hitchcock, the 47-time winner is owned by Michael Pease. Southwind Terror paid $3.00 to win. Skyful of Lighters (Dave Ingraham) finished second; Gold Star Spider (Heath Campbell) was third.
Driver Bruce Ranger had three victories on the card, and Nick Graffam had a driving double and conditioner Michael Girouard had a training double.
