this FRIDAY, JUNE 3 at 10 am
Please sign up with Brenda Brown at Paddock Office or reach out to Bruce Ranger.
…. also… SNEAK PEEK PREVIEWS for 3-year-old Maine Sire Stakes Pacing Colts and Geldings
… racing SAT., JUNE 4…draw WED., JUNE 1
Please note this week QUALIFIERS will be held on FRIDAY, JUNE 3.
Draw for Qual. is THU., JUNE 2 – box closes 9 am.
May 28, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Warm temperatures resulted in fast miles on Saturday’s (May 28) harness racing program at Cumberland, which helped leading driver Matt Athearn put a 1:54.2 seasonal mark on Ry’s Red Rocket while winning the $5,200 co-featured pace.
Leaving from post six in a seven-horse field, Matty “Ice” hustled the 5-year-old daughter of Sunshine Beach ahead of the pack, only to be met with immediate resistance on the inside from Go Sandy Go (Aaron Hall).
The two mares opened up seven-plus lengths on the field as they paced down the backside into a swift 27.1 opening panel. As the field passed the stands for the first time, the ladies continued to gain separation from the rest of the contenders as the leaders hit the half in 56.2. Out of the paddock turn Athearn sensed an opportunity to challenge the tempo-setting Go Sandy Go, and as the pair reached the three-quarters in a grueling 1:25.1, Ry’s Red Rocket was given her cue and moved up alongside the frontrunner.
Stride for stride the pair paced in tandem around the final turn and down the home stretch. Within a stone’s throw from the wire the victor managed to gain an advantage in the hard-fought battle for bragging rights.
Tripping the timer in 1:54.2, Ry’s Red Rocket got her second win in three outings for owner/trainer Donnie Richards. Go Sandy Go hung on by a length to be an ultra-game second, with Terror Hall back 7-3/4 lengths for third. Ry’s Red Rocket paid $7.20 to win.
Rocksapatriot won the 100th start of his career, grabbing his 21st lifetime victory in the $5,500 Open III Pace for veteran reinsman Dave Ingraham.
Quick Fun N (Joey Mosher) left swiftly from post six to gain a tactical advantage, but was forced to swing wide through the turn before assuming command in a 28 second opening panel. Mosher got the breather he wanted in the form of a 58.3 half, while the outer flow started to develop.
The first to move was Jet Aviation (Bruce Ranger) who was immediately followed by Rocksapatriot (Ingraham) as the field pushed into the paddock turn. Pacing into a 1:26.4 third panel, Dan Deslandes could wait no longer and moved Nagel three-wide alongside Rocksapatriot as the pacesetting Quick Fun N started to fade.
As the field rounded the final turn the three leaders matched strides, and from the rail out neither Jet Aviation, nor Rocksapatriot, or Nagle gave an inch. When the group straightened out for the stretch drive, Ingraham jiggled the lines at Rocksapatriot and the classy campaigner responded by stepping away from the troika by two lengths to win in 1:55.4.
Trained by Kelly Case for owner Stephen Farrell, the 7-year-old son of Rockincam paid $5.80 to win. Nagle finished second, Jet Aviation was third.
Kevin Switzer and Drew Campbell both enjoyed driving doubles on the 10-race program. When the dust settled, Campbell’s deuce put him into a tie with Matt Athearn for first place in the drivers’ standings with 19 seasonal Cumberland victories. Dan Deslandes is third with 18 victories, Kevin Switzer is fourth with 17 and Bruce Ranger rounds out the top five with 16.
Racing resumes Friday (June 3) at 4 p.m., and continues on Saturday (June 4) with the extended pari-mutuel meeting active each weekend through July 23.
First Tracks Cumberland is also pleased to present, in concert with the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association, a Stakes Preview for 3-year-old Maine-bred Pacers. Featuring a ‘Colt Carnival’ for colts and geldings, on Sat., June 4 and a ‘Filly Festival’ on Sat., June 11, each division carries a $5,000 purse for Maine eligibles. The overnight prep races are co-sponsored by the MHHA and Blue Seal Feeds.
In addition, in preparation for stakes season, Cumberland will offer starting car schooling on the first two Fridays in June (3 & 10), as well as non-wagering baby races on the following two Fridays (June 17 & 24), with opportunities for the youngsters to ‘learn and earn’ their way into the upcoming Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes.
More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.
May 27, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Matty “Ice” Athearn gave Warrawee Preferred another gutsy drive on Friday (May 27) to win the $6,000 Open II Trot and move to top of the tough Cumberland drivers colony.
Scoring from the outside post five, Athearn left alertly with the 11-year-old son of Federal Flex, only to be thwarted by a determined Majestic Braden and Sherry Cushing who refused to relinquish the front end.
As the two trotters and dueling teamsters slugged it out past the eighth pole, Athearn ducked into a wide-open two hole with an opening panel in 29.2. Barely a breather was realized when Athearn tipped back out at the three-eighths marker and moved up alongside the leader into a 1:00.3 half mile.
After getting an ample supply of that good Maine air into a 1:30 three-quarter stanza, and while maintaining a stranglehold on the headstrong Warrawee Preferred, Athearn poked a nose in front heading into the final turn. Although the pacesetter had called it a day, Athearn was then forced to contend with the late charges of Little Macabee (Aaron Hall) and Kyrie Deo (Mark Athearn), who finished second and third respectively.
Owned and trained by Ryan Berry, Warrawee Preferred stopped the timer at exactly 2:00 flat and paid $8.20 to win by 1-1/2 lengths. It was the 60th victory of the horse’s career, and ninth seasonal romp.
With the win, Matt Athearn moved into first place in the drivers’ standings with 18 seasonal Cumberland victories. Dan Deslandes and Drew Campbell are tied for second with 17.
Walter Case Jr. and Andy Harrington both enjoyed driving doubles on the 10-race program.
Racing resumes Saturday (May 28) at 4 p.m., with the extended pari-mutuel meeting active each weekend through July 23.
The final race on both Friday and Saturday features our 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.
Stakes Preview for 3-year-old Maine-bred Pacers
Each division carries a $5,000 purse
COLT CARNIVAL for colts and geldings, Sat., June 4
FILLY FESTIVAL for fillies, Sat., June 11
PREFERENCE CONDITIONS:
1. Trainer;
2. If more than seven (7) separate trainers enter each division, preference will be given
to the entrants with the highest 2021 Maine Sire Stakes purse earnings;
3. Trainer entries with bonafide separate ownership;
4. Trainer entries with common ownership.
Ties will be drawn by lot. • Horses must be eligible to Maine Sire Stakes to enter.
Maximum field size of seven.
May 22, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Dan Deslandes won the opener on Saturday (May 21), a $5,200 featured pace with Bo Master in 1:57. While this was enough to keep Deslandes in first place, a final tally of the day’s events resulted in a three-way tie for the top position with Matt Athearn and Drew Campbell.
Scoring from post four, Deslandes moved Bo Master right to the front, a place where he is very comfortable, and pushed through fractions of 28.4, 58.4, 1:27.2 to hold on for a half-length victory over Ry’s Red Rocket (Matt Athearn).
The 8-year-old son of Sportsmaster is also trained by Deslandes for owner Reggie Duguay. Bo Master paid $3.80 to win. Velocity Sub Z finished third.
From that point in the day it was anyone’s guess as to who may emerge at the top of the talented Cumberland drivers’ colony. The day before, four drivers had moved to within one victory of first place, which was held by Deslandes at 16, who now had 17 by winning the opener. Matt Athearn, Drew Campbell, Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr were all tied for second place with 15 wins a piece.
As luck would have it Matt Athearn won the second race with his own horse Beammeupscottie, and paid $3.80. The trainer is listed as Matt’s mother Gretchen Athearn.
The next two races were won by driver Nick Graffam steering Ira Chief ($13.20) and Sixby Hanover ($5.40), and both were trained by Mike Graffam, Nick’s father.
Then Drew Campbell got into the mix, scoring with Canbec Kingkazimir in 1:56.1. Trained by Chris Lefebvre, the 12-year-old son of Jereme’s Jet paid $4.40 to win for owner Michelle Lefebvre. Campbell came back to win the ninth race with Rock N Blue by a neck for trainer Chris Lefebvre. He paid $5.20 to win for owner Ralph Silvestri III.
Sensing an opportunity, the finale was captured by Matt Athearn and Dancin Hill. Owned and trained by Ryan Berry with Todd Whitney, the 11-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover paid $4.20 to win.
The final outcome led to Athearn, Campbell and Deslandes finishing the weekend with 17 victories each, sharing the top of the heap. Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. are tied for fourth with 15 wins a piece.
Racing resumes on Friday (May 27) at Cumberland. Post time for the Spring/Summer meet is 4 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.
May 21, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Last year’s top dogs were up to their old tricks on Friday (May 20) at Cumberland where Bruce Ranger won four and Drew Campbell won three races on the ten race card.
Having finished a tight ‘one-two’ in last year’s drivers’ standings, the Maine-standouts were back at it again, looking to reinvigorate their winning ways. The seven total victories were enough to move to two sulky stars into four-way tie for second place in the deep Southern Maine drivers’ colony.
Ranger started the day by picking up the early Daily Double with Magic Bob. The 5-year-old son of Kadabra is owned and trained by Dennis Whittemore, and scored wire-to-wire in the opener to pay $5.20 to win. It was his first win of the season in 2:02.1.
The Maine-native came right back to take the latter half of the double with heavy favorite Sugardaddycontrols, a 3-year-old son of Control The Moment. Owned by The Green Machine Stable and trained by David Crochere, it was the first pari-mutuel victory for the Ontario-bred sophomore pacing gelding, taking a seasonal mark of 2:00.4.
The man in the Red and Gold colors came back to take race five with Richsnortherndream, in another front-end folly, scoring in 1:59.3. Owned by Diane Dunn and Bradford Veilleux and trained by James Dunn, the Prince Edward Island-bred trotter paid $7.80 to win.
Ranger returned to the Blue Seal Winners Circle in race nine, the $6,000 Open II Trot feature with Broadway Giant. Utilizing another catch-me-if-you-can tour, the veteran reinsman put the 8-year-old son of Broadway Hall right on the front end and never relinquished the lead.
Scoring from post four, Ranger posted comfortable fractions of 29.2 and 1:00.2 for the opening two panels. Favorite Northern Skyway was the first to challenge, tipping first over at the half and getting to within a nose of the leader into a 1:29.3 third quarter. As that attempt never materialized, Little Macabee tipped off that cover to challenge to no avail.
Owned and trained by Ron Patoine, Broadway Giant paid $9.40 to win in 1:59.4, his second victory in a row. Little Macabee finished second, Warrawee Preferred was third.
Drew Campbell won the third race by 8-1/4 lengths with Mack’s Gold Band, the sixth with Gettin Gone by 6-3/4 lengths, and the eighth with Duck N Roll, which were all on-the-engine efforts.
Tallying up the days’ events, four drivers have now moved to within one victory of first place in the Cumberland drivers’ standings, which is currently held by Dan Deslandes at 16. Matt Athearn, Drew Campbell, Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr are all tied for second place with 15 wins a piece.
The featured $4,800 cond. pace on the Preakness Day (May 21) card shows Readyfortheladys (post 6, Aaron Hall) looking to get off the schneid with a string of three bridesmaid finishes. Moving up in class off of two consecutive victories is The Shining (post 4, Drew Campbell), who looks to keep his winning streak alive. Supreme Mach N (post 2, Bruce Ranger) is also fresh off a victory in a comparable lower class. Race six carries the 20 cent Superfecta, and is part of the Pick-6 (races 3-8).
Racing fans and bettors will be able to watch and wager on this Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, the 147th renewal of the middle jewel of the Triple Crown from Pimilco Race Course.
Full Preakness Day programs will be available and betting windows will be open for the first post at 10:30 am, which will be broadcast live from the Maryland Jockey Club in Baltimore, Maryland. There will be TV monitors covering all the Thoroughbred action, and the Trackside Pub concession stand will also be open in the Fairgrounds grandstand.
Post time for the Spring/Summer meet is now 4 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays, with the extended pari-mutuel meeting racing each weekend through July 23.
The final race on both Friday and Saturday features our 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.
May 15, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Quick Fun N made quick work of the featured pace at Cumberland on Saturday (May 14), wiring the field to score in 1:56.
Picking up his third victory in as many starts, and lowering his seasonal mark by a few ticks in the process, veteran reinsman Ron Cushing wasted no time getting Quick Fun N to the party. Scoring from post five, Cushing put the 10-year-old son of Real Desire right on the front of the conga line and never relinquished the lead. Posting well-rated fractions of 29, 59.1, 1:27.2 with a final quarter of 28.3, the Joey Mosher-trained New Zealand bred was well within himself in ‘out-dancing’ the field by five lengths.
Owned by Lillian Bellmore, Quick Fun N paid $12.60 while winning for the 24th time in his career. Wagering favorite Airspinder finished second, Obscene Blue Chip was third.
Matt Athearn provided Ry’s Red Rocket with a perfect trip to score in 1:56.1 in the fourth race co-feature. Leaving from pylon position, and content to let Some Gold (Dan Deslandes) grab the lead, Athearn waited until the three-quarter pole to tip the 5-year-old daughter of Sunshine Beach. During the stretch drive Some Gold faded to third, while favorite Readyfortheladys (Aaron Hall) found another gear and fought hard to be second.
Ry’s Red Rocket paid $7.20 to win for owner/trainer Don Richards.
Ron Cushing, Matt Athearn and Bruce Ranger all enjoyed driving doubles on the Saturday program. Dan Deslandes and Kevin Switzer Jr. remain tied for first place in the drivers’ standings with 15 wins apiece. Matt Athearn is in third place with 14 victories. The leading conditioner is Benson Merrill with 9 wins, followed by trainers Chris Lefebvre with 8 and Lisa Watson with 7.
Racing resumes on Friday (May 20) at First Tracks Cumberland. Post time for the live Spring/Summer meet is now 4 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays, with the extended pari-mutuel meeting racing each weekend through July 23.
Fans and bettors can watch and wager on the 147th Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday (May 21) from the grandstand at Cumberland.
More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.
May 14, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Matt Athearn gave Warrawee Preferred a perfect steer in Friday’s (May 13) eighth race featured $5,500 Open III Trot at Cumberland, scoring by a length in 1:59.
Eternal Faith (Drew Campell) was the first to leave and grab control of the tempo. Assigned the outside post six, Athearn hustled the 11-year-son of Federal Flex into the cat bird seat and popped out at the head of the stretch to grab the 59th victory of his career. Little Macabee (Aaron Hall) came first over at the half and made forward progress to be second. Thruway (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
Owned and trained by Ryan Berry, Warrawee Preferred rewarded his faithful with an $11.00 win ticket.
The $4,800 Open IV Trot was captured by And Up We Go, utilizing a similar two-hole trip for driver Walter Case Jr. Owned by Bill Fisher and Ralph D’Amelio II and trained by D’Amelio II, the 6-year-old And Away We Go mare paid $13.00 to win.
The top pace of the day went to Watchagonnadoboo, grabbing her second victory in a row for driver Aaron Hall and owner/trainer Eric Bickmore.
Taking the wire-to-wire route, and stopping the timer in 1:57.1, the 5-year-old Artspeak mare paid $4.20 to win by three lengths.
Drew Campbell had three driving wins on the program, and Walter Case Jr. enjoyed two trips to the Blue Seal Feeds winners circle.
Matt Athearn looks to make a scene in Saturday’s feature, shooting for three-in-a-row with Obscene Blue Chip in the $5,200 cond. pace eighth race. Drawn outside due to his recent success, the 8-year-old son of Western Ideal just eclipsed $200,000 in lifetime earnings in his last start.
The favorite is Miss U Big Mike (post 1, Bruce Ranger), installed at 5-2, with local favorite Airspinder (post 4, Drew Campbell) close behind at 3-1.
There are ten pacing races on Saturday’s (May 14) card. Post time for the Spring/Summer meet is now 4 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays, with the extended pari-mutuel meeting racing each weekend through July 23.
The final race on both Friday and Saturday features our 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.
May 8, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Mike Girouard gave Rockin Ellie a textbook steer to victory in the $3,800 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) Group C event on Saturday (May 7) at Cumberland.
Leaving from pylon position, Girouard let the fast-leaving Led Schneppelin (Jason Bertolini) take command, but not before forcing a stinging :28.1 first quarter. As Bertolini attempted to reduce the pace, Girouard was happy in the catbird seat, while the rest of the field played catch up.
Wagering favorite Road Untraveled (Benson Merrill) moved first over at the half and subsequently stalled, which allowed Girouard and Rockin Ellie to thread the needle going into the final turn and look the leader in the eye. A stretch battle ensued with Rockin Ellie prevailing by three parts of a length in 2:01.1. The 6-year-old daughter of Rockincam is also trained by Girouard, and is owned by Just Enough LLC (Ted Suleski).
Rockin Ellie paid $8.60 to win her second outing in her last three starts. Led Schneppelin finished second, Baywood Shadow was third.
In the $5,200 featured cond. pace, Matt Athearn scored from off the pace with Obscene Blue Chip. Coming from seven lengths back at the half, Athearn unleashed an explicit first-over drive to the front, passing five horses to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:58. The 8-year-old son of Western Ideal is owned by Cris Wescott and trained by Ken Secord.
Obscene Blue Chip paid $14.20 to win his third outing in four most recent starts at Cumberland this year. Miss U Big Mike finished second, Rockin’ Cougar was third in a tight finish.
“Double Digit” Dave Ingraham strikes again with Kelly Case’s Arsenal, winning his second in a row at Cumberland. The 14-year-old son of Artiscape paid $17.20 to his backers.
Dan Deslandes enjoyed a driving double and has tied Kevin Switzer Jr. at 14 for the most dash wins by a driver at Cumberland after 10 seasonal programs. Matt Athearn is third with 11 victories to his credit. Benson Merrill (9) has a one win lead over Chris Lefebvre (8) in the training ranks.
Post time is 4 p.m. (EDT) for both the Friday and Saturday programs on May 13 & 14. Cumberland’s extended pari-mutuel meeting races each weekend through July 23.
May 8, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – The 148th Kentucky Derby caused many a savvy punter to scratch his or her head in disbelief as Saturday’s (May 7) ‘fastest two minutes in sports’ was captured by the longest shot on the board.
Evidently, a lack of handicapping know-how didn’t stop 38-year-old mother of two, Linda Murray from cashing big on Rich Strike in the 12th at Churchill.
“I literally walked in and learned that win, place and show meant first, second and third on the little machine,” noted the pretty loan officer from Portland.
“I watched the Derby on television before, but the betting was new to me,” Murray admitted. She and her boyfriend, Chris Tyll, were eager to watch and wager on the big race, so they visited the track for Derby Day. It was also Murray’s first visit to a harness racing track.
The Cumberland races were going on live, and she had never watched a horse race in-person before. Just before the Derby post time a harness horse in the ninth race at popped out at her.
Having worked in real estate for the last decade, Murray got a ‘hunch’ at work. “I had been on a call earlier in the day about investing in properties and the presenting speaker was an Air Force Academy graduate,” Murray said.
“I was telling Chris about the opportunity when I saw the name in the program, Air Force Grad. I bet that horse ‘across the board’ and he finished second. So I thought ‘this is a sign’”
In reviewing the Derby contenders, Tyll told Murray that ‘this is the horse that is going to lose’ because he was 99-1, referring to Rich Strike’s odds at the time.
“I thought, he made it to the Derby, so he can’t be that much of a loser,” Murray opined.
Lots of people have made money at the windows betting names and horse color and the like. In this case it was the horse’s betting number that stood out for Murray. “21 was my age when I had my first son, Charlie, so I bet him.”
And she walked away with a lot more money than she started the day with, which always helps when raising children.
In 2012, when her second son Nolan was five, Murray recalled, “I was a young, single mom, cleaning houses and going to school part time when he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition. He was listed for transplant, so we basically lived in the hospital for an entire year, waiting for a heart.”
Nolan got his heart on New Year’s Eve that same year, and is now living a healthy, normal teenage life. Her oldest, Charlie, is now 17.
Murray concluded, “Stuff like this always happens to me. There’s always something bigger, always a meaning behind stuff.”
