April 30, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Fresh off his grand slam at Plainridge on Tuesday, Matty “Ice” Athearn grabbed three victories on the Friday (April 29) program at Cumberland, including his second Open Trot in a row with Warrawee Preferred.

In the featured $6,000 Open II Trot with post positions assigned, Broadway Giant (post 4, Bruce Ranger) was the first to leave, with Athearn happy to grab the two-hole with Warrawee Preferred who scored from post 5.  With a sharp opening quarter of 28.3, Ranger reduced the tempo going to the half in 1:00.2.  Sensing an opportunity, Heath Campbell moved Pembroke Regal (2) to the outside going into the second turn, with Aaron Hall grabbing the second-over cover with Little Macabee (3) as the field passed the stands at the midway point.

While the six-pack of trotters moved down the backstretch into a 1:30.2 three-quarters, Hall tipped Little Macabee three-wide around stalling cover to challenge for the lead.  With the rest of the field drifting backwards, Athearn drafted behind the dueling front runners until mid-stretch where he found racing room with Warrawee Preferred and got up in the final strides to win by a neck in 2:01.3.

For the 11-year-old son of Federal Flex, it was his second win in as many starts, and 58^th lifetime victory.  Owned and trained by Ryan Berry, Warrawee Preferred paid $7.00 to win.  Broadway Giant finished second; Little Macabee was third.

The $5,200 Open III-IV Trot was captured by Eternal Faith in a wire-to-wire 2:00.3 romp.  Driven by Drew Campbell for owner/trainer Brian Lamb, the 5-year-old son of Triumphant Caviar paid $7.80 to win by 6-1/2 lengths. 

Thruway finished second; Nicalo Hanover was third.

In addition to Matt Athearn’s three-bagger, Kevin Switzer Jr. had two driving wins on the card, giving him a one victory lead (12 total) in the Cumberland drivers’ standings over Dan Deslandes (11), with Bruce Ranger and Matt Athearn tied for third with eight victories apiece. 

Saturday’s (April 30) card features two divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club, as well as a host of competitive conditioned pacing events for the astute punter.

The tenth and final race on both Friday and Saturday features our 20 cent Hi-Five (Pentafecta), with a low takeout of 16%.

First Tracks Cumberland is also pleased to announce that racing fans and bettors will be able to watch and wager on next weekend’s iconic programs from Churchill Downs.  Each card starts at 10:30 am and features the Kentucky Oaks on Friday (May 6) and the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday (May 7).  Programs, betting windows, monitors and concessions will be available in the Fairgrounds grandstand.

Beginning Friday (May 6), post time for the Spring/Summer meet has been moved to 4 p.m. (EDT) for both the Friday and Saturday programs.  Cumberland’s extended pari-mutuel meeting races each weekend through July 23.

April 24, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The father and son duo of trainer Mike Graffam and driver Nick Graffam combined forces to grab the lion’s share of Cumberland’s Kick-Off Late Closer series #3 final on Saturday (April 23) with Cyclone Pass winning the $12,000 top purse.

When the wings folded for race nine, four horses were eager to take command.  With help from the draw Rose Run Slider (post 1, Dan Deslandes) held sway through the turn, but ultimately yielded to Count To Three (post 5, Drew Campbell) who bolted to the top in a :29 opening panel. 

As the field went by the stands for the first time, Eleanor Jean (post 3, Gary Mosher) flushed the cover of Baywood Shadow (post 2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) who was no longer content with the third pylon position.  With a half in :59.3 Graffam saw the skies opening and moved Cyclone Pass (post 4) into the outer flow and followed along third over.

While Graffam’s cover started to stall in sixth position, the reinsman tipped three wide past a 1:28.2 third quarter and continued to pass tiring horses through the final turn.  Storming down the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.2, the 12-year-old son of Western Cyclone grabbed the 30^th win of his career.

Cyclone Pass paid $8.00 to win for owner Diane Frazier.  Colorful Speech (post 7, Bruce Ranger) went from seventh to second in the last eighth of a mile to overtake Count To Three who hung on for third.

In the seventh race $10,000 Kick-Off LC series #2 final driver Walter Case Jr. left the field in his wake, steering favorite Oceanview Echo (post 3) to a decisive 13 length victory.  Trained and owned by Dana Whittemore, Case has guided the 5-year-old Rollwithitharry mare to three wins in as many starts.

Oceanview Echo paid $4.40 to win in 1:57.4.  Sandinista finished second; Meetmeatthedance was third.

Drew Campbell, Walter Case Jr. and Kevin Switzer Jr. all enjoyed two driving wins on the card.  Following six programs and 72 races, Dan Deslandes holds a one dash lead over Kevin Switzer Jr. in the drivers’ standings, 11-10.  Bruce Ranger is third with 7 wins, with Walter Case Jr. and Aaron Hall tied for fourth with 6 all. 

The early leader in the training ranks is Chris Lefebvre with 7 wins in 25 starts.  Jamie Gerard holds the highest UTRS of .513 with 4 wins in 13 starts.

Horsemen should note the new draw schedule for Cumberland Raceway:

Race Date: Friday, April 29 (Box closes 9 am, Tuesday, April 26);

Race Date: Saturday, April 30 (Box closes 9 am, Wednesday, April 27);

Post time for the Spring/Summer meet is set for 3 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays, with the extended pari-mutuel meeting racing each weekend through July 23.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

April 23, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Fresh off his 2,000^th career victory, Mike Stevenson notched another win with his own That’s Some Plan to take the $8,000 Kick-Off Late Closer series #1 final on Friday (April 22) at Cumberland.

Scoring from pylon position, Stevenson got away in the cat bird seat after a flurry of activity at the start.   Favorite Librado Hanover (post 4, Aaron Hall) cut the mile, posting a swift :28.1 opening panel, after Seafood King (post 3, Drew Campbell) made a costly break in the first turn.

Getting a perfect trip into a :58.3 half, as the field went down the backside for the final time, Stevenson tipped the 11-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere out of the two hole and blasted to the front.  Following a 1:28.2 third quarter, and gaining three lengths on the field by the top of the turn, Stevenson cruised to victory in 1:59.4.

Mike Stevenson trains That’s Some Plan for owner Robert MacNeil, who paid $9.60 to win by six lengths, picking up his 28^th career victory.

Northview Punter N (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Librado Hanover hung on to be third.

Two Open Trots also highlighted the perfect afternoon of Southern Maine harness racing, as sunny skies and mid-fifty degree temperatures attracted punters and fans to the Cumberland oval.

The $6,000 Open II-III Trot was captured by Caulfield (Kevin Switzer Jr) who outlasted a late closing Broadway Giant (Bruce Ranger) to prevail by a neck margin in 2:02.1.  The 10-year-old son of Kadabra is trained by Bob Marston for owner George Tzikas.

Caulfield paid $4.40 to win his second of three seasonal starts, and 31^st victory of his career.  Little Macabee (Aaron Hall) finished third.

Warrawee Preferred (Matt Athearn) went wire-to-wire in the $5,500 Open III-IV Trot for his new owner/trainer Ryan Berry.  The 11-year-old son of Federal Flex scored his 6^th seasonal victory in 2:00.2, having emigrated from Monticello Raceway two weeks ago.

Warrawee Preferred paid $5.80 for his 57^th career win.  Thruway (Nick Graffam) finished second; And Up We Go (Walter Case Jr) was third.

Saturday’s card features two more Kick-Off LC series finals, with #2 going for $10,000 as race 7, and the top purse of $12,000 offered in #3 in race 9, along with a host of competitive Open Pace events.

Post time for the Spring/Summer meet is set for 3 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays, with the extended pari-mutuel meeting racing each weekend through July 23.

The eleventh race finale features our new 20 cent Hi-Five (Pentafecta), with a low takeout of 16%.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

April 16, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Veteran driver Mike Stevenson picked up career win number 2,000 at Cumberland on Good Friday (April 15), at the track the New Brunswick-native now calls home.

Now in his fifth decade of driving and training, Stevenson has earned $8,071,432 in career purse earnings in 14,308 lifetime starts.  The new milestone marks a long journey of overcoming obstacles and perseverance in the face of adversity for the 57-year-old horseman.

“This accomplishment feels really good,” noted Stevenson.  “I have always tried to stick to the basics and prepare my horses as I was taught by the great horsemen before me.”

Stevenson summed it up with three words, “Thankful, grateful and humble.”

The regular pilot of last year’s Maine champion 3-year-old pacing colt, Call Me Maverick, Stevenson looks forward to the Gordon Corey-trained standout to return to the fairgrounds for his 4yo campaign.

“The owners have turned down several offers and have said that they ‘just want to have some fun with him,’” added Stevenson.  “We all love that little horse and look forward to Gordon and Alison’s annual return from Pinehurst.”

As the wings of the starting car folded for Friday’s eighth race, Stevenson sent Rojas Blue Chip right to the front from post four, with Kim’s Day (Drew Campbell) getting a two-hole trip.  Setting comfortable opening fractions of 29.2 and 1:01 with the 5-year-old American Ideal mare, the pressure started to mount down as Whatchagonnadoboo (Aaron Hall) popped the earplugs past the half and continued to chase down the 10-1 pacesetter. 

Pacing up alongside the leader, Whatchagonnadoboo looked Rojas Blue Chip right in the eye down the backstretch into a 1:30.1 third stanza with Kim’s Day locked in and nowhere to go.  As the field turned for home the aggressor faded which let Drew Campbell sneak out with Kim’s Day to chase down the frontrunner.  Fortunately, Stevenson and Rojas Blue Chip had enough in the tank to hold off the late charge and prevail by a measured head in 2:00.4.

Rojas Blue Chip is also trained by Mike Stevenson and paid $22.00 to win for owner David Del Pozzo.  Kim’s Day finished second, Whatchagonnadoboo hung on for third.

Several other ‘firsts’ were realized on the beautiful, sunny day of Southern Maine harness racing. 

Ron Cushing set a new track record with his own Swan Fine Lady, destroying the field in the featured $6,000 Open II Trot, winning in 1:58.2 by over 12 lengths.  Also trained and co-owned by Ron Cushing along with partners Kevin Sywyk and Lance Downs, the daughter of Swan For All set a new benchmark for 4-year-old trotting mares at Cumberland.

Swan Fine Lady paid $2.60 to win.  Little Macabee (Aaron Hall) finished second, Make It A Double (Mark Athearn) was third.

21-year-old Zachary Gray picked up the first training win of his fledgling career.  Off to a good start in his inaugural season, the Maine-native has a win and a second in five starts this year, earning him a .311 UTRS.

Two $4,000 divisions of the opening legs of our Kick-Off Late Closer Pacing Series went postward on the program. 

In the fourth race, favorite Northview Punter N swooped the field down the backstretch to win decisively for driver Bruce Ranger and owner/trainer Michelle Hardin in 2:00.2.  Following fractions cut by Librado Hanover (Aaron Hall), the 13-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight emerged victorious and rewarded his backers with a $4.20 win ticket.

Librado Hanover finished second, That’s Some Plan (Mike Stevenson) was third, and also advance to the $8,000 final next Friday (April 22).

The second split, sixth race event was a romp by She’sallfinn and driver Matty “Ice” Athearn, who won by five lengths in 2:00.1.  Parked out the last half, the 9-year-old daughter of Duneside Perch is owned and trained by Rex Ellis and paid $7.20 to win. 

Shadytouch (Andy Harrington) finished second, Eternal Ring (Dan Deslandes) was third and earn spots in next Friday’s $8,000 final, along with the fastest fourth place finisher Seafood King (Drew Campbell).

On his first day back, last year’s leading Cumberland driver, Drew Campbell won two races on the program, as did Kevin Switzer Jr. and Matt Athearn.  Chris Lefebvre also had two training wins on the card.

Saturday’s (April 16) card is highlighted by five divisions of the Kick-Off series, with three $5,000 divisions of event #2 and a pair of $6,000 splits for the top event # 3.  The finals for these events both race on April 23 and boast a purse of $10,000 and $12,000 respectively.

Two Open level pacing events share the marquee on Saturday (April 16), slated for race one (Pick-5) and the race six $6,500 Open I-II.  An ownership entry leads the morning line favorites in that event with Captain Nash (post 3, Bruce Ranger) and Nagle (post 4, Dan Deslandes).

Qualifiers for Saturday at Cumberland have been moved up to 1 pm to allow for the overflow of horses in the paddock during the regular card.

Post time for the Spring/Summer meet is set for 3 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays, with the extended pari-mutuel meeting racing each weekend through July 23.

The twelfth race finale features our new 20 cent Hi-Five (Pentafecta), with a low takeout of 16%.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

April 9, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – The first harness races in the state of Maine for 2022 started off with a bang as open trotter Northern Skyway won the opener on Friday (April 8) as the First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet got underway.

Driver Nick Graffam settled Northern Skyway into third position from post four as Swan Fine Lady (Ron Cushing) and Sortie Hanover (Kevin Switzer Jr.) tussled for control of the tempo in the first race, a $6,500 Open Trot I at the iconic Cumberland Fairgrounds.

Mild favorite Swan Fine Lady continued to show the way through fractions of 28.4 and 1:00.2.  When the field moved down the backside for the final time, Graffam tipped Northern Skyway and continued wearing down the leaders into a 1:30 third-quarter and prevailed by three-quarters of a length at the wire in 2:00.2, for a 29.4 last quarter.

Trained by Jim Dunn for owners Tony Loika and Brad Veileux, the 7-year-old son of Guccio earned his 33^rd career victory in the triumph, a third of which he picked up last season.  Northern Skyway paid $8.60 to win.

Conditioner Jim Dunn picked up a total of two wins on the program.

Swan Fine Lady finished second, with Vesuvio Bi (Bruce Ranger) getting up for the show dough.

A mild upset marked the $6,000 Open Trot II on the card, as Kevin Switzer Jr. boldly steered Little Macabee to victory in race 5, paying $21.60 to win.

Nick Graffam and Thruway left hard against the contention of Andy Harrington and Tough Mac and ultimately gained control after a stinging 28.4 first quarter.  The race positions were relatively unchanged through 1:00.4 and 1:30.4 second and third stanzas when Swizter Jr. was forced to take Little Macabee three wide around the final turn.  With more trot left in the tank than the tiring leaders, the 8-year-old son of Chapter Seven showed his back class and prevailed by 1 ¼ lengths.

Trained by Eric Bickmore for owner Maryann Tompkins, it was Little Macabee’s 27^th career victory, and third win in his last four outings at Cumberland.  Eric Bickmore enjoyed two trips to the Blue Seal Feeds Winners Circle on Friday’s card.

Wagering favorite Storm Bridger (Aaron Hall) finished a valiant second after he was also forced to come from off the pace to catch the fatiguing frontrunners.  Thruway hung on to be third.

Bruce Ranger, Wally Watson and Dan Deslandes all enjoyed driving doubles on the inaugural program.  Trainer Chris Lefebvre hit the board with all four of his entries, winning three.

In an amazing display of horsemanship, veteran driver John Beckwith was unseated when French Moni went off-stride in the first turn and made contact with a light pole.  Beckwith was unseated, however, miraculously maintained control of the lines and was able to gather up the 8-year-old son of Love You and move him to the outside before the field made it to the 3/8’s pole.  Unhurt and unfazed, neither the horse nor the driver were any worse for the wear, and will return to race another day.

First Tracks Cumberland’s opening weekend marks the first Standardbred racing dates of the year in the state of Maine, which continues on Saturday (April 9) with another 12-race card.

Post time for the Spring/Summer meet is set for 3 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays, with the extended pari-mutuel meeting racing each weekend through July 23.

Next week features the first legs of our ‘Kick-Off’ Late Closing Series for pacers, with the top class going for a $12,000 final the following week.  See the condition sheet on the USTA online entry system, or our website, for more details.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

April 7, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

First Tracks Cumberland’s upcoming opening weekend marks the first harness racing dates of the year in the state of Maine, and leads off with two cards sporting a dozen races on both Friday (April 8) and Saturday (April 9).

Post time for the Spring/Summer meet is set for 3 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays, with the extended pari-mutuel meeting racing each weekend through July 23.

Friday’s card wastes no time getting into the top classes, featuring a $6,500 Open I Trot to kick off the daily double.  Two standouts that had been squaring off at Saratoga recently are Northern Skyway (post 4, Nick Graffam) and Vesuvio Bi (6, Bruce Ranger).  Combined, they sport over half a million in lifetime earnings, and should benefit from the change in scenery.

Not to be taken lightly is TrackMaster third choice Kyrie Deo (5, Mark Athearn) who ran off and hid in his recent Cumberland qualifier.  The 5-year-old son of Donato Hanover won his last two at Plainridge before the previous season’s end.

The first race kicks off the Cumberland 50 cent Pick-5, along with the usual Daily Double, Exacta and Trifecta wagering.

The second ‘top trot’ of the day is the $6,000 Open II which features some of the usual local suspects from 2021, along with some out-of-town invaders looking to steal some thunder.

Aaron Hall’s recent acquisition brings Storm Bringer (post 5) in from the Burke stable and Yonkers where he earned $11,000 in just 3 starts this season.

Elisha Lafreniere sets up 14-year-old Ubanji (1, Bruce Ranger) for his swan song season, looking to improve on his second place finish last week at Monticello.

James Dunn brought Thruway (3, Nick Graffam) across the Ohio Turnpike from Miami Valley where the 7-year-old son of Cantab Hall picked up $14,000 seasonal buckeyes before heading east.

Race 3 marks the start of our new 20 cent Pick-6 with a low takeout of 16 percent.

Saturday’s card is equally exciting, with several open events for pacers, as well as the triumphant return of the greatest side show in harness racing, the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC).

Race nine features the top pacers on the grounds, and the $6,500 Open I pits five over-achievers against one another over the recently refurbished racing surface. 

Ron Cushing returns from the tough Ohio circuit with Starznheaven (post 4) where the 10-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven already earned $17,000 this season.  Nipping at his heals will surely be Soho Leviathan A (5, Kevin Switzer), who posted the fastest qualifier of the year at Cumberland (1:58.4) for trainer Bob Marston.

Looking to resume his position amongst the top ranks is Captain Nash (3, Bruce Ranger), who was on the board in 6 of 7 attempts at the tail end of the 2021 Southern Maine season.

Races 8 and 10 denote the start of the Maine Amateur Driving Club 2022 season, sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds. The always popular and lively events attract a well-rounded group of young and old, novice and seasoned, big and small harness drivers competing for swag bucket trophies and bragging rights.

The 8^th race MADC $3,800 Group C features many of the top contenders of last year, including series point leader Benson Merrill (5, War Daddy), along with MADC president Joe Burke (6, Meetmeatthedance), as well as up-and-comer Jason Bertolini (age 25) and veteran Bob Nadeau (84).

The 10^th race MADC $4,200 Group B sees many of the active teamsters return to the sulky, including local Amateur advocate Todd Whitney who has amassed 162 victories over several decades of competition.  Whitney, the 2010 National Amateur Driving Champion, drives early morning-line favorite Inforce from post 6.

As always, the Maine Amateur Driving Club is sponsored by the nice folks at the North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feed Store and the Windham Blue Seal Feed Store, with leadership and support from Aimee Nichols, their dedicated territory sales manager.

The twelfth race finale on both Friday and Saturday features our new 20 cent Hi-Five (Pentafecta), with a low takeout of 16%.

Local horseman Mike Stevenson is just one win away from his 2,000^th driving victory and is programed to steer six horses on Friday’s opener.

Next week features the first legs of our ‘Kick-Off’ Late Closing Series for pacers, with the top class going for a $12,000 final the following week.  See the condition sheet on the USTA online entry system, or our website, for more details.

Qualifiers will be held once a week on Saturdays at 2 p.m., before the start of the pari-mutuel card.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

April 3, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

This season’s initial qualifiers at First Tracks Cumberland indicated deep support for New England harness racing on Saturday (April 2) as 13 races went postward starting at 12 noon.

Racing Secretary Marc Reynolds had 72 entries in his virtual entry box, with a vast array of pacers and trotters prepping for the upcoming Spring/Summer meet at the iconic Southern Maine oval.

Reynolds noted, “We were very pleased with the strong turnout.  With a double draw on Tuesday (April 5) to fill our opening weekend cards slated for Friday and Saturday (April 8 & 9), everyone at First Tracks looks forward to getting the Maine horsemen back into action.”

Under sunny skies “special guest” announcer Mike Cushing called the entire program, which was also broadcast live on the Race Track Network.  Of the 10 pacing races on the card, four were clocked in 2:00 or faster, despite chilly and gusty conditions.

The fastest race of the day was captured by Soho Leviathan in 1:58.4 for driver Andy Harrington, who cut the mile from post 6.  Owned by Lawrence Angello, Jr., the 9-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven is trained by Bob Marston. 

Conditioner Marston’s entries won half of the races entered, enjoying five preparatory victories on the day’s program, with ten horses starting.  One of which, Meetmeatthedance, was guided by owner/driver Joe Burke in advance of the upcoming Maine Amateur Driving Club events.  First time QF driver Alan Rand (59) also made his debut with a Marston trainee, getting the thrill of rounding the final turn right next to Walter Case, Jr.

Trainer/drivers Mike Stevenson and Dan Deslandes (two) enjoyed victories, and last year’s leading trainer Benson Merrill picked-up three wins on the program with Bruce Ranger piloting two and Aaron Hall guiding a third.

The swiftest trotting race of the day went to Kyrie Deo and driver Mark Athearn.  Trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Bill “Yarmouth Lumber” Phipps, the 5-year-old son of Donato Hanover posted the largest margin of victory of the day, drawing off by 12 lengths to score in 2:02.4.

Over a dozen punters filled the mezzanine of the iconic fairgrounds grandstand, with prognosticating and pontification the theme of the day.  As usual, the outside fence was lined with the cars and trucks of racing fans, trying to get a sneak peak of the performances of the local equine athletes who will advance to the first Maine purse races of 2022.

Reynolds, who was on hand for the day’s events also stated, “Our new track crew has done a fantastic job with the racing surface itself.  There was extensive clean up after a tough winter, as well as significant preparation of the track over the last month.”

“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,” Reynolds concluded.

Post time for the Spring/Summer meet is set for 3 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays, with the extended pari-mutuel meeting racing each weekend through July 23.

Qualifiers will be held once a week on Saturdays at 2 p.m., before the start of the pari-mutuel card.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.