September 29, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Ron Cushing and trainer Heidi Gibbs swept both of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings at the First Tracks Cumberland Fair on Tuesday (Sept. 28).
In the opener Cushing made a bold, three-wide move down the backstretch with Edelman to prevail by a close head in 1:58.2 over pacesetter Hollywood Skeeter and Nick Graffam. Trained by Heidi Gibbs for Kevin Sywyk and Ron Cusing, the son of Western Maverick now has four wins on the season. Wagering favorite American Maverick (Andy Harrington) finished third. Edelman paid $12.40 to win and was also bred by Ron Cushing.
Confident with his charge and his post position, Cushing came right back in race four to wire the field in 1:58 with A Sweet Bidda Luck. Trained by Heidi Gibbs for owner Scott McKenzie, the son of Western Maverick was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe and picked up his fifth victory of the year.
A Sweet Bidda Luck
Whatawinwillie (Andy Harrington) finished second; Lord Magnetic (Matt Athearn) was third. A Sweet Bidda Luck paid $3.60 to win.
The fastest race of the day was won by Airspinder in 1:55.4 and driver Drew Campbell. Fond of the First Tracks Cumberland surface, the son of No Spin Zone earned his tenth victory of the season, his third at the historic Southern Maine oval. Trained by Chris Lefebvre for Michelle Lefebvre and Brian Aaskov, Airspinder paid $3.80 to win.
For top reinsman Drew Campbell, it was his fourth victory of the day.
Wednesday’s (Sept. 29) card features a $7,500 Free for All Trot as well as two divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club Series, sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds. The current point leader going into the sixth week of competition on the Maine Fair circuit is Benson Merrill (53); in second place is Mike Girouard (38); and third is Derek Howes (18) who recently represented the club at the Delaware (OH) County Fair in the USTA’s Tim Fouts Memorial Amateur Driving Championship, finishing a close second.
Post time is 1:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, then remains at 1:30 pm for the final three days of racing at the First Tracks Cumberland Fair through Sunday (Oct. 3).
Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning November 3rd and racing through December 31, 2021. Post time 11:00 a.m.
For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com
September 28, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – Wild Oats picked up his fourth win of the season and Emmajean Jellybean posted win number seven to take their respective $15,967 divisions of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes (MSBS) for 3-year-old trotters at the Cumberland Fair on Monday (Sept. 27).
Trainer/driver Ivan Davies sat in the two-hole with Wild Oats and got up in the final strides to overtake favorite Pembroke Regal (Gary Mosher, 4-5) to win by a head in 2:00.1. With the victory, the son of Boy Band sits comfortably in second place in the MSBS point standings for male sophomore trotters. Wild Oats was bred and is owned by Mike Andrew and paid $5.40 to win.
The fillies trotted into race three for $15,967, and continue to be led by Emmajean Jellybean who captured her victory on the front end to win handily in 2:02.3. Driven by Steve Wilson for trainer Sherry Cushing and owners R. & J. DiPompo, M. Graham and P. Smith, the daughter of Mister Anson continues to lead the 3-year-old trotting fillies in points. Continually looking to take a bite out of the ‘Jellybean’ is Pembroke Secret who finished second for trainer Valerie Grondin, and also sits second in the point standings.
Emmajean Jellybean
Emmajean Jellybean paid $3.80 to win.
The swiftest event of the day was captured by Gracie G with driver Andy Harrington for trainer/owner Sara Gibbs. The 6-year-old chestnut daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven scored in 1:56.4 on the engine, giving her three wins in her last four starts. Harrington was the only driver to score more than one victory on the Monday card.
There are nine races on the Tuesday program with the first post scheduled for 1:30 pm. The Cumberland Fair continues through next Sunday (Oct. 3).
Tuesday is headlined by two $15,951 divisions of Maine Breeders Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts, absent however is point leader Call Me Maverick.
The first split in the opener sees Paxxton (Heath Campbell, post 5) facing off against American Maverick (Andy Harrington, post 3) for this week’s divisional battle royale.
Trained by Valerie Grondin, Paxxton is by Western Maverick and has 2 wins in his last three starts. American Maverick is trained by Marc Tardif and has a long string of second place finishes and looks to get off the schneid.
The second $15,952 split (race four) has the Heidi Gibbs trained A Sweet Bidda Luck drawing the inside pylon position (Ron Cushing), and will try to hold off Whatawinwillie (Harrington, post 3) for trainer Marc Tardif. This is the eleventh week of MSBS events for 3-year-old pacers, with the final leg visiting the Fryeburg Fair before the $80,000e finals at Bangor on Oct. 16.
Saturday’s (Oct. 2) card is highlighted by announcer Bill Ellis’ Maine Family Feud, which potentially pits two members of a local harness racing fraternity against one another for fun and bragging rights. But the driving is serious business, as the licensed drivers will be drawn by lot in the race office, along with the post positions, and the special events carry an increased purse of $5,000 each.
The scheduled drivers’ families include: Mark & Matt Athearn, Mike & Nick Graffam, Aaron & Ryan Hall, David Ingraham & Kelly Case, Bo & McGwire Sowers, Ron & Charlene Cushing, Drew & Heath Campbell, Gary & Joey Mosher, and John Nason & Andy Harrington.
Each participant will be introduced along with a meet-and-greet, and the winning drivers will toss special Maine Family Feud T-shirts to the crowd.
Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning November 3rd and racing through December 31, 2021. Post time 11:00 a.m.
For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com
September 27, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – Trainer Valerie Grondin won both $15,710 Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes (MSBS) on opening day of the 149th Cumberland (ME) Fair on Sunday (September 26) for 3-year-old pacing fillies.
The opener was captured by Pembroke Junebug who got up by a nose in the final strides to clip 1-5 favorite Justcallmecasey in 1:58.4. Driven by David Ingraham, the daughter of Western Maverick is also owned and was bred by Grondin. Pembroke Junebug paid $31.60 to win.
Grondin came right back to grab the second $15,711 MSBS split with series point leader Pembroke Ali in 1:59.1. Driven by Heath Campbell, the daughter of Western Maverick is owned by Bill Varney, was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, and paid $3.20 to win.
Fan-favorite Southwind Terror returned to his winning ways at his favorite track. The 11-year-old son of Camluck won the fastest race of the day, stopping the timer in 1:57.2 for driver Aaron Hall on behalf of owner/trainer Stanley Bubier Jr. Southwind Terror went on a tear during the Spring/Summer meet at Cumberland, winning five-in-a-row during the month of June. He paid $3.40 to win.
Aaron Hall picks up win # 300.
Aaron Hall jumped up again and won the finale, earning the 300th victory of his career. The 28-year-old reinsman was born in Augusta, Maine and has been driving since 2010, but has picked up the pace to over 400 drives per year since 2018. Hall, the son of trainer/driver Ryan Hall, also eclipsed $1 million earlier this season.
Hall noted that it took some time to get where he is today, and was especially grateful to reach that milestone, “I’ve been very fortunate over the last couple of years that some great trainers have given me opportunities to drive. I appreciate it more than I can express, especially in Maine where the driving colony is so deep. I’m hoping to keep building on this year’s success and establish myself in a group of so many great drivers we have here.”
Winter Asher-Stalbaum, the 18-year-old son of Larry “The Bomber” Stalbaum, picked up his tenth victory of his rookie driving year. Competing on the Maine fair circuit, many of the horses Winter has been driving are trained by Winter’s older sister Riley, which has given the “Baby Bomber” a very respectable 0.370 UDRS.
It’s no surprise that the next generation of the Asher-Stalbaum clan is successful, given the strong work ethic and early harness racing upbringing that the family employs in their everyday activities.
Monday’s (Sept. 27) card features two divisions of the MSBS for 3-year-old trotters. The $15,972 first race has another Valerie Grondin-trained favorite, Pembroke Regal who leads all sophomore male trotters in the point standings. The son of Pembroke Slugger is owned and was bred by Bill Varney and scores from post five for Gary Mosher (5-2) who picks up the catch drive.
Wild Oats is second in the points and gets trainer/driver Ivan Davies (3-1) from post two. A son of Boy Band, he was bred and is owned by Mike Andrew.
The fillies trot into race three for $15,967, and they are led by Emmajean Jellybean (post 5, 5-2) who is the point leaders for the 3-year-old distaffs. Driven by Steve Wilson for trainer Sherry Cushing, the daughter of Mister Anson has never been off the board in her last 10 starts.
Valerie Grondin sends out Pembroke Secret (Gary Mosher, 2-1, post 4) who is coming off a win in her last start, defeating the aforementioned ‘Jelly Bean.’
There are eight races on the Monday card with the first post slated for 1:30 pm. The Cumberland Fair continues through next Sunday (Oct. 3). Trainers are reminded to continue to check the condition sheets and utilize the USTA’s online entry system for racing at the Cumberland Fair.
Saturday’s (Oct. 2) card is highlighted by announcer Bill Ellis’ Maine Family Feud, which potentially pits two members of a local harness racing fraternity against one another for fun and bragging rights. But the driving is serious business, as the licensed drivers will be drawn by lot in the race office, along with the post positions, and the special events carry an increased purse of $5,000 each.
The scheduled drivers’ families include: Mark & Matt Athearn, Mike & Nick Graffam, Aaron & Ryan Hall, David Ingraham & Kelly Case, Bo & McGwire Sowers, Ron & Charlene Cushing, Drew & Heath Campbell, Gary & Joey Mosher, and John Nason & Andy Harrington.
Each participant will be introduced along with a meet-and-greet, and the winning drivers will toss special Maine Family Feud T-shirts to the crowd.
Cumberland is the next to last Maine-bred legs before the rich MSBS finals at Bangor on Saturday (Oct. 16), listed as $80,000e for the sophomores and $60,000e for the freshmen. In addition, if entries permit there will be several $25,000e MSBS consolation races on Wednesday (Oct. 20).
First Tracks Cumberland has been tapped to manage and facilitate the Fair meet on behalf of the Cumberland Farmers Club. Drivers and Trainers will automatically be paid their occupational percentages through the First Tracks paymaster system, just as they had been during the Spring/Summer extended pari-mutuel meeting.
Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning November 3rd and racing through December 31, 2021. Post time 11:00 a.m.
For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com
September 25, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – The 149th Cumberland (ME) Fair kicks off Sunday (September 26) with a full card of Standardbred harness racing featuring two divisions of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes (MSBS) for 3-year-old pacing fillies, as well as a host of late closers for both gaits.
Many of Maine’s rural fairs are known for their big Pumpkins and delicious Whoopie Pies, however the Cumberland fair was first held in 1868 with harness racing as the “Maine” attraction. It remains one of the biggest annual agricultural events in the southern part of the Pine Tree state.
First Tracks Cumberland Race secretary Marc Reynolds was pleased with the strong support that the local horsemen and women provided during the busy fair season.
“It’s been a long Spring/Summer racing season in the state of Maine, beginning in May at First Tracks Cumberland, and now through eight weeks for state-wide fair racing. The local horse people were eager to come back home to race for Fair week,” Reynolds said.
“Due to the robust interest, we are pleased to add two $7,500 Free For All events to the Fair schedule, as well as a number of Maine Amateur Driving Club races for the Sunday (Oct. 3) finale.”
Trainers are reminded to continue to check the condition sheets and utilize the USTA’s online entry system for racing at the Cumberland Fair.
The opener assembles some of the top 3-year-old pacing fillies in the Maine-sired program, pitting Justcallmecasey (post 3, Aaron Hall) against Tally Two (post 4, Mark Athearn) in the first $15,710 division of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes.
The former is pegged at 2-1 and is coming off of a two-race win streak for trainer Michael Graffam, with Aaron Hall picking up the catch drive behind the Ben Bill & Will-owned daughter of Deuce Seelster who has earned $34,246 this season. The latter is also by sire Deuce Seelster, and has been installed as the 5-2 second choice for trainer Gretchen Athearn, and has earned $29,045 for owner Bill Phipps with three victories this year.
The second $15,711 MSBS split is headed by point leader Pembroke Ali who has finished a consistent 1-2 in all of her last 9 starts with $37,580 in seasonal earnings. Listed at 8-5 from post 5, the daughter of Western Maverick will be driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin and owner Bill Varney.
Schoodic Lady will look to play the role of spoiler from post 4 with regular driver Aaron Hall. As the 3-1 second choice, the daughter of Deuce Seelster has never been worse than third in her last three starts, including a win at Union, with seasonal earnings of $28,012. Trained by Mike Graffam, she is owned by Ben Bill & Will Stable.
Several late closing events hold their first leg during the opener, including the $6,000 Casco Bay Ford Trot (race 8) with a $12,000 final slated for next Sunday (Oct. 3). In addition, there are two divisions (races 3 & 5) of the $5,000 Portland Regency pacing series, sporting a $10,000 final, as well as the $4,000 Pine Ridge Acres pacing series (race 7) that boasts an $8,000 final, again on final day of the fair meet, Sunday (Oct. 3).
With Plainridge also racing on Sunday (Sept. 26), some of the Cumberland regulars are absent, giving the following reinsmen five or more drives on the card: Heath Campbell, Walter Case Jr., Dan Deslandes, Aaron Hall and Andy Harrington.
Local horse women Donna Fenderson and Stephanie Larkin have worked tirelessly to ensure that every race during the entire eight day fair meet has a sponsor, with the winning connections receiving either a blanket, embroidered jacket, or a halter/lead shank combo during the winners circle presentations. Stephanie Gray continues to provide exciting race photos and fun-filled winners circle images as a service to the horse owners and trainers, and on behalf of First Tracks Cumberland.
Cumberland is the next to last Maine-bred legs before the rich MSBS finals at Bangor on Saturday (Oct. 16), listed as $80,000e for the sophomores and $60,000e for the freshmen. In addition, if entries permit there will be several $25,000e MSBS consolation races on Wednesday (Oct. 20).
First Tracks Cumberland has been tapped to manage and facilitate the Fair meet on behalf of the Cumberland Farmers Club. Drivers and Trainers will automatically be paid their occupational percentages through the First Tracks paymaster system, just as they had been during the Spring/Summer extended pari-mutuel meeting.
Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning November 3rd and racing through December 31, 2021. Post time 11:00 a.m.
For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com
September 9, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland is pleased to announce a series of Late Closing events for the upcoming eight day Cumberland (Maine) Fair on Sunday, September 26 and Sunday, October 3, 2021.
“We are excited to bring increased opportunities to the Maine horsepeople for the Cumberland Fair. Most of the local trainers and owners supported us during our inaugural Spring/Summer meet, and we look forward to taking their entries again for the Fair,” noted Race Secretary Marc Reynolds.
“First Tracks Cumberland is proud to be managing the Fair meet on behalf of the Cumberland Farmers Club, and we hope to deliver some great racing for the loyal fans of Southern Maine harness.”
Three events have been written, with two individual Pacing events for non-winners of $300 per start and $500 per start, with final purses guaranteed at $8,000 and $10,000 respectively. There are no entry fees and horses may drop in during the regular draw.
On the Trot, the final purse is $12,000 for 4-year-olds and older that are non-winners of $800 per start. In all three events, horses must have made at least six starts in the State of Maine at time of entry, and mares are given a 20% allowance on per start earnings.
Live harness racing from the 149th annual Cumberland Fair is presented LIVE each day starting Sunday, September 26, and continuing daily through Sunday, October 3. First race post time is 1:30 pm on each of the eight consecutive race dates. For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.
The Cumberland Agricultural County Fair also begins Sunday, September 26 and runs through Saturday, October 2. For more information about the fair and an event schedule, go to: cumberlandfair.com
