July 23, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Rocksapatriot used a well-played pocket trip to win the $6,000 Camp Kippewa Pace on Saturday (July 22) at Cumberland, his second win in three starts.

Scoring from post two for driver Dave Ingraham, the former track record holder ducked in behind pacesetter Fern Hill Flight (Andy Harrington, 10-1) to draft through the 28.2 opening panel.  While moving past the three-eighths pole Bad And Boujee (Drew Campbell, 5-2) tipped from sixth to advance first over through a 58.1 half.  That move effectively flushed the cover of Rocksapatroit by the time the field hit the five-eighths pole.

The tight pack of upper echelon pacers hit the third panel in 1:27 and the battle was on.  As the field turned for home, Ingraham hit the gas pedal on Rocksapatriot and the horse responded with a final kick to the wire to garner the victory by a measured length in 1:55.4.

Owned and bred by Stephen Farrell, the 8-year-old son of Rockincam paid $3.00 to win.  Rocksapatriot is trained by Kelly Case and picked up the 27th win of his career, and fourth of the season.

Fern Hill Flight finished second; Red Breast Hanover (Wally Watson) was third.

The race was named for the Camp Kippewa Equestrian Academy, where dozens of campers swarmed the winners circle to join the winning connections in celebration of their victory.

Current Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) point champion Jason Bertolini added to his coffers, winning the $4,400 MADC event with his trusty Led Schneppelin in 2:00.1.  His fellow competitors made him work for it today, as he was forced into a first over trip, parked the entire second half to score by three parts of a length.  Bertolini is the owner, trainer and driver of Led Schneppelin, who now has 45 lifetime wins and $364,526 career earnings.

Luke Varnum and Pembroke Ranger finished second; fan-favorite Putnams Storm and Bob Nadeau were third from post seven.

Hesjustadelight won the lone $14,948 Maine Sire Stake for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings before the regular card.  It was a wire-to-wire, five-length rout for the son of Western Maverick.  Driven by Ron Cushing for trainer Heidi Gibbs, the freshman star took a new 2:01.4 record for owners Cushing, Lynn-Marie Plouffe (also the breeder), Anthony Romanelli and Joseph Romanelli.  Last week’s winner Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) finished second; Oakleypopsthedeuce (Dave Ingraham-Kelly Case) was third.

Closing day of the Spring-Summer meet is just two weeks away on August 5, which runs concurrently with Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands.  First Tracks Cumberland will host the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, an additional pop-up series with an increased purse structure, as well as a substantial prize for the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) Spring-Summer Final. 

Import wagering from both the Saratoga Race Course (flats) and the entire Hambo Day card will also be available on Aug. 5. 

For fans there will be a Hambletonian hat giveaway, as well as the return of our popular Cumberland Derby.  Patrons who enter the contest select a horse in a designated race and will have a chance to win a total of $500 in cash.

The action resumes for a three-day weekend of racing Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 28, 29 & 30.  Regular post time is 3:15 pm (EDT).  The final Summer weekend of racing is scheduled for Friday (Aug. 4, 3:15 pm) and Saturday (August 5) with a special early post time of 2:15 pm.

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

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