June 17, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – On a track listed as ‘good,’ the Maine faithful waited patiently in inclement weather for one of their favorite sons, Kevin Switzer Jr., to snag his 3,000^th lifetime victory.  It finally arrived in race seven, where his sister, Candace Brandstatter harnessed the horse El Jacko N and provided the well-known New England driver with his career benchmark. 

Friends and a large, enthusiastic extended family swarmed the winners circle to help the 35-year-old third generation horseman celebrate the momentous occasion. 

Following the festivities, Switzer Jr. shared his excitement with track photographer Stephanie Gray.  “I am very happy to reach this milestone at my home track, with my sister’s horse,” he exclaimed.

“Having my family, friends and colleagues here in the rain makes it much more special for me,” the talented teamster added.  “Thank you to First Tracks [Cumberland] for the recognition today and leading up to today.  I am very grateful to do what I love, in the place that I grew up.”

El Jacko N, the 11-year-old New Zealand-bred son of Elsu, was the 9-5 favorite and paid $2.60 to win.  Owned by P T Stable and trained by Brandstatter, it was 34^th win of his career, and second in a row at Cumberland.

Two $14,684 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies went postward as races one and nine.  The first split saw sophomore filly South St Dottie (Nick Graffam, 5-2) come from off the pace to score over the pacesetting favorite La Mambacity (Heath Campbell, 2-5) to score 2:02.  Trained by Mike Graffam for owner Jan Donaway, the 3-year-old daughter of Western Maverick paid $7.60 to win for just the second time in her career.  Janie finished third.

The second Maine-bred division was captured by the favorite Pickmepickme in wire-to-wire fashion.  Driven by Andy Harrington for owner-trainer-breeder Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick was the top freshman filly in the state of Maine last season.  She paid $2.60 to win the ninth race of her career.  Katelyn’s Angel (Switzer Jr.) finished second and was also trained by Tardif.  Justcallmemimi (Bruce Ranger) was third.

Leading reinsman Bruce Ranger enjoyed three wins on the 12-race program, with Nick Graffam and Andy Harrington each collecting a pair of victories.

Racing resumes Friday (June 23) at 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/

For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

June 16, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Call Me Maverick returned home to Cumberland and returned back to his winning ways, as driver Mike Stevenson gave the Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old male pacing champion of 2021 a coast-to-coast victory for his trainer Alison Hynes and her partner Gordon Corey.

The 5-year-old son of Western Maverick picked up the 24^th victory of his career, and pushed his lifetime earnings to $247,162 for his Upland Farm owners.  Just the third start of the year for the former local hero, the wagering favorite tripped the timer in 1:56.1 to win the opener and pay $2.80 to his many backers.  The Bush Man N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; Drinka Beer (Andy Harrington) was third in the $6,000 featured conditioned pace.

The $5,500 featured trot was another wire-to-wire romp for Mouthpiece and driver Mark Athearn.  Repeating his ‘go to the front and don’t look back’ routine from last week, the 8-year-old son of Noble Venture never had an anxious moment as the pair strolled home a winner in 2:01.  Owned and trained by Gretchen Athearn, he paid $7.60 to win.  Muscle Gene (Aaron Hall) finished second; L Dees Yoyo Ma (Mike Stevenson) was third.

Four drivers enjoyed doubles on the 13-race program, including Walter Case Jr., Dan Deslandes, Aaron Hall and Kevin Switzer Jr.  The first three listed all won back to back races, but Switzer Jr. won the 4^th and the 13^th which put him at just one victory away from reaching the 3,000 career dash win threshold.   Switzer Jr. is loaded for bear tomorrow (Saturday) with 8 programmed drives.

Saturday’s (June 17) program carries 12 races, and features two $14,684 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies, carded as races one and nine.

The wagering menu always includes a 50 cent trifecta in every race, as well as the standard collection of lucrative wagers with low 16% takeouts scattered throughout the card. 

Cumberland will offer Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all the pertinent wagering options every Saturday.

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/

For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/