June 12, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Airspinder, one of the winningest horses in the state of Maine in 2021, returned to his previous form to fly home in 1:55.1 and land in the First Tracks Cumberland winners circle on Saturday (June 10).
The duo of leading trainer Chris Lefebvre and leading driver Drew Campbell were singing a familiar tune in the featured $5,200 cond. pace, as Airspinder turned on the afterburners and cruised to victory.
Scoring from post three, Campbell settled Airspinder into the four hole as Dan Deslandes rocketed from behind the car with Some Gold, setting fractions of 28 and 57.2 with the field spread out. At the half, the outer flow started to materialize with Cool Jack (Matt Athearn) flushing Campbell and Airspinder from the pylons to move up first over and continuing to gain momentum.
At a wicked 1:25.4 three quarter clocking Airspinder was well on his way and had poked a head in front of a tiring pacesetter Some Gold. Through the turn the rest of the field could do nothing but chase the 6-year-old son of No Spin Zone as the pacer opened up 5 ¾ lengths to cruise down the stretch in a new seasonal mark.
Airspinder paid $5.40 win and is owned by Michelle Lefebvre and Brian Aaskov. Terror Hall (Wally Watson) finished second, Obscene Blue Chip was third.
Bruce Ranger won two races on the card, including the $5,000 Maine Sneak Peek for 3yo pacing fillies with Sweet Baby G, upsetting the heavy favorite Pembroke Legacy, to pay $12.60. Ranger is now in second place in the drivers’ standings with 23 wins, just behind Drew Campbell who now has 24 trips to the Blue Seal Winners Circle at Cumberland. Aaron Hall also enjoyed two victories on the program.
Racing resumes on Friday (June 17) and Saturday (June 18). 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.
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.
