June 23, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters will be contested early on Friday (June 23) at Cumberland Raceway, along with the annual baby races for 2-year-old freshmen Standardbreds.

Three divisions of ‘Learn and Earn’ baby races will be held before Friday’s card starting at 1:15 pm.  The races go for $200 each and give the youngsters a chance to experience the sights and the sounds of racing, before their freshmen Maine Sire Stakes divisions begin in early July.  For several of the 18 listed starters, it is their second educational outing.

An early non-wagering race scheduled for 2:30 pm features the first purse start for three Maine-bred sophomore filly trotters, vying for a purse of $14,277.  Scoring from pylon position is She’salilbitmouthy, a daughter of Victor Blue Chip that earned $90,647 last season, which included a victory in the freshmen final at Cumberland.  Now driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Mike Cushing, she is owned by Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps.

The boys follow shortly thereafter at 3:15 pm in the pari-mutuel card opener.  Four fellas compete for $14,491 in the Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old colt and gelding trot.  The Trackman has given a slight edge to Outlawofthevalley (6-5, Kevin Switzer Jr., post 3) over Pembroke Traveler (3-2, Heath Campbell, post 4).

Outlawofthevalley is much faster than his record would indicate, having been race timed in 2:03.2 when he finished third in his freshman final.  Owned by Leighton Property and trained by Marc Tardif, the son of Pembroke Slugger earned $39,873 last season.  Outside of him is the horse, Pembroke Traveler, that finished before the former in that 2yo final, race timed in 2:03.  He is trained by Valerie Gronden for owner Bill Varney, and earned $42,617 last season.

The first weekend card on Friday (June 23) boasts an 11-race program.  The co-featured overnights are a pair of $5,000 conditioned pacing races slated as races 5 & 6. 

Saturday’s (June 24) program also carries 11 races, and features the triumphant return of the Maine Amateur Driving Club in the opener.  As always, this series is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine.  In addition, the $5,500 race 10 top trot carries the match up of Plainridge invader Vesuvio Bi (Walter Case Jr.) against home-town stalwart Broadway Giant (Bruce Ranger).

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.

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