May 7, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The impatience of youth is not lost on Jason Bertolini, as the 26-year-old reinsman took the overland route to capture the season’s first Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) Race at Cumberland on Saturday (May 6) with Bailey’s Legacy.

As the seven horse field entered the first turn, Bertolini got away third, while veteran pacer Putnam’s Storm (age 14) set the pace from pylon position, who was driven by Bob Nadeau (85).  Getting away second and gapping that cover was Rest Assured (David Zuckerman).  The opening panel was in 29.4, and Bertolini noticed the loose lead carried by the leader.  The pair wasted little time getting into action, as Bertolini pulled Bailey’s Legacy first over at the three-eighths marker. 

While the half was in a dramatically reduced 1:01.4, the pace hastened as Nadeau felt the pressure from his younger opponent and let out a notch to reach the three-quarters in 1:30.1 (28.2) and the pair were neck-and-neck heading into the final turn.

As the stretch opened up Bertolini was able to grind past the pacesetter and win by a tight half-length in 2:01.3.  Putnam’s Storm hung on gamely to be second; Rest Assured was along for the ride to be third.

Following the MADC’s seasonal opener, Bertolini was his usual humble self, stating: “The trainer did a great job making sure he was ready to go.  I just did my job and it all worked out.  Putnams Storm raced great too, especially going 28.2 down the back side.”

Owned and bred by Bruce Inch, the 6-year-old Maine-sired son of Western Maverick is trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing.  Bailey’s Legacy paid $8.00 to win.

In other news, Walter Case Jr. picked up a natural hat trick, winning the fourth, fifth and sixth races on the Derby Day program.  The first was with Virtual Success (1:58.3, $6.00), then the co-featured $6,500 winners over pace with Adriano Hanover (1:54.4, $9.60) who is the current all-age track record holder.  Finally, Moonshinecharleigh (1:59, $7.60) gave the winner of 11,235 races lifetime his three-sweep.

Bruce Ranger took the $6,500 winners over trot with Inukchuck Chuck (1:59.4, $11.60) and is now at 9,994 lifetime victories.  The veteran pilot is just six wins away from the 10,000 win benchmark, as the ‘Ranger-10k-Watch’ continues. 

Drew Campbell won two races on the afternoon program, and Nick Graffam picked up another to put his current tally at 994.  Graffam is also six scores shy from reaching his personal plateau, the 1,000^th victory of his career.

With Drew Campbell’s deuce the reinsman ascended into first place with 14 seasonal victories at Cumberland, Ranger is second with 13, and Graffam is third with 12.  Chris Lefebvre also had a pair of victories, and continues to lead all trainers with ten wins.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

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May 6, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Bruce Ranger added another score to his lofty win total, taking the $6,000 Fillies and Mares Winners Over Pace at Cumberland on Friday (May 5) with Go Sandy Go.

The Maine-native got every call as the pair skipped through opening fractions of 28.3 and 58.2 with little, to no pressure.  As the field passed the five-eighths marker, driver Mark Athearn was the first to apply pressure with Ry’s Red Rocket, while Pembroke Ali (Heath Campbell) sat chilly in the pocket.  Lydia’s Liberty (Kevin Switzer Jr.) found cover second over, and with the third stanza timed in 1:26.3, it was evident that the leader had stepped on the accelerator.

With Switzer Jr.’s cover stalling he was forced to send Lydia’s Liberty three deep around the final turn and took aim at Ranger and the even-money favorite, Go Sandy Go.  The wire arrived just in time as the pacesetters prevailed by a diminishing half-length in 1:56.3.

Trained by Benson Merrill for owners John Kiernan Jr., Thelma Kiernan and Lauren Merrill, the 8-year-old daughter of Roddy’s Bags Again picked up her second win of the four-week meet.  Go Sandy Go paid $4.20 to win.  Pembroke Ali hung on for third.

Ranger is now just seven wins away from the 10,000 win benchmark, as the ‘Ranger-10k-Watch’ continues. 

Not to be outdone, Nick Graffam scored a hat trick on the afternoon card winning the daily double with Woody’s Cash Crop (1:57.3, $9.20) and Sixby Hanover (1:57.3, $10.00), both of which came from the family’s Norton Farm, trained by his dad Mike Graffam.  Nick came back to win the sixth race with Bay Brute (1:57, $4.80), and ironically, is just seven scores shy from notching his 1,000^th career victory.

Drew Campbell picked up a driving double, which put him in a 12-win tie with Bruce Ranger for bragging rights at the iconic Southern Maine oval.  Nick Graffam is now in third place with eleven victories.  Trainers Mike Graffam and Benson Merrill each got a pair of wins.  Chris Lefebvre leads all conditioners with eight wins.

Both of the popular red, gold and black-clad reinsmen (Ranger and Graffam) will be busy on Saturday’s (May 6) Derby Day program, which carries ten races and includes both the co-featured $6,500 winners over pace and $6,500 winners over trot.  Post time is 3:15 pm.  In the 50 cent Pick 5 beginning with the opener, there is a $794.05 carryover, which carries a low 16% takeout.

Kentucky Derby action and the entire card from Churchill Downs is on tap with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 4, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – With horse racing taking center stage in the national spotlight this weekend, Cumberland Raceway will offer both live harness racing on Friday (May 5) and Saturday (May 6), along with coverage of two of the biggest days on the Thoroughbred Triple Crown calendar.

Fans and bettors can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Friday’s Kentucky Oaks.  Our full card of live harness racing starts at 3:15 pm with the ‘Bruce Ranger-10k-watch’ in full swing.

Ranger is just eight wins away from his historic 10,000^th dash win.  The veteran reinsman has six drives on Thursday (May 4) at Plainridge, and will come into the Cumberland weekend with an additional dozen on his dance card.  Graffam is just 10 scores shy from reaching his 1,000 career victory plateau, and also has a host of drives in the next three days. 

Friday’s (May 5) 10 race program includes the $6,000 fillies and mares winners over pace, along with several trotting events.  The wagering menu includes a 50 cent trifecta in every race and kicks off with a 50 cent pick 5.   In addition, there is a pair of 20 cent superfectas (races 4 and 6), a 50 cent pick 4 (starts race 7) and the final race delivers our 20 cent pentafecta (super high five) with a low 16% takeout. 

Saturday’s (May 6) Derby Day program also carries ten races, and includes both the co-featured $6,500 winners over pace and $6,500 winners over trot, with post time for both days slated for 3:15 pm.   

With the 149^th renewal of the Run for the Roses from Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY, almost upon us, we are reminded of our local ‘hunch bettor’ that hit big on last year’s 80-1 longshot, Rich Strike.  Once again, the highly anticipated Kentucky Derby is this Saturday (May 6), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/