Maine Amateurs have deep history at the Jug

July 8, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Often referred to as the ‘Greatest Side Show’ in harness racing, amateur harness driving clubs compete everywhere from the Meadowlands and Yonkers, to Oak Grove and the Meadows; and, of course, Cumberland, Maine.  Participants in this Saturday’s (July 8) Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) race have done particularly well in the annual Tim Fouts Memorial Driving Championship in Delaware, Ohio.

Amateur driving clubs from all over the United States each send a representative to compete in the Fouts Memorial, which serves as the U.S. Trotting Association’s Amateur Club Championship.  Know the world over as the home of the home of the Little Brown Jug, Delaware is the perfect piece of real estate to showcase the passion and excitement of these part-time teamsters.

In fact, over the last few decades, two Maine representatives have won the race.  In 2008 Todd Whitney won the event and went on to be named the USHWA Amateur Driver of the Year.

Luke Varnum, grabbed the event in 2015 while wearing his rain colors in the blazing Ohio sunshine.  His wife, Patricia ‘Tuffy’ Varnum recalls, “I had forgotten Luke’s colors in the dryer at home, but had already packed his rain colors.”  And so goes the life of a traveling harness driver.

Most recently, Derek Howes represented the Mainers and finished a solid second in the event two years ago.  The current series leader Jason Bertolini, who is absent in Saturday’s event, set blistering opening fractions last year at Delaware, but unfortunately couldn’t maintain his torrid pace.

While series newbie Scott Farley has been listed as the morning line favorite with his own Dylans Future (HN 2, 2-1), Whitney is the second choice at 7-2 with Quick Fun N and scores from post 5.  Luke Varnum has the rail with his own Pembroke Ranger (4-1) and Howes drives Alero Blue Chip (HN 3, 12-1) in the full field of eight.

Last week’s MADC victor, David Zuckerman and his own Rest Assured (HN 7, 6-1) didn’t draw so well this week.  Fan favorite Putnam’s Storm (8-1) and tribal elder Bob Nadeau score from post four.  The Maine Amateur Driving Club is slated as race 7, and as always, this series is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine. 

The featured $6,000 conditioned pace is carded as the 3:15 pm post time opener and pits El Jacko N (Kevin Switzer Jr., 2-1) against Nineteenth Man A (Ron Cushing, 3-1).  Both top sidesteppers are coming off of wins, and have not met until now.  The faithful Rocksapatriot with ‘Double Digit’ Dave Ingraham scores from pylon position and is the third choice at 7-2.

Saturday’s (July 8) program carries 12 races, plus two early $13,500 non-wagering Maine Sire Stakes events for 2-year-old trotters, which start at 2:00 pm. 

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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