August 6, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Plainridge invader Skyway Victor was a confident 1:54.2 winner in Cumberland’s featured closing day event, the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace.  One of the swiftest miles of the 33-day meet, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. was parked out most of the mile to score by 1-3/4 lengths over anxious pacesetter The Bird Dance N.

When the wings folded the restless, front-running The Bird Dance N (Nick Graffam) assumed his usual spot on point, setting a sharp 27.1 opening panel.  Not content to sit in the three-hole, Switzer Jr. pulled his charge Skyway Victor out going to the quarter mile marker and was thwarted for the front around the three-eighths pole and through the second turn.

As the field straightened out to go by the stands the second time, Switzer Jr. ducked his horse to the pylons as the top pacers hit the half in 56.1.  Skyway Victor was half-in, half-out going around the five-eighths paddock turn and then committed to the outside before the 1:25.1 third panel, where he was again toe-to-toe with the The Bird Dance N, eventually poking a nose in front.

By the head of the stretch Swizter Jr. had established a short lead but then started to gain some additional separation as the field rushed down the stretch to the wire.  Skyway Victor, as the even money favorite, prevailed while equaling the track record for aged pacing geldings. 

Trained and co-owned by Mark Eaton with Robert Griffin, the 5-year-old son of Tellitlikeitis picked up his 20^th career victory.  He paid $4.20 to win. 

The Wild Card (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Cigars And Port (Wally Watson) was third.

The $10,000 Charles Malia Distinguished Service Invitational Trot was captured by heavy favorite Nows The Moment by driver Mike Stevenson for trainer Mr. Allison MacDonald.

Scoring in 1:57.1, the time was just a tick off the track record for older trotting geldings.  Owned by Sonya MacDonald, it was the 39^th victory of his illustrious career, putting the 8-year-old Credit Winner gelding’s lifetime earnings at $643,222.  He paid $2.20 to win.  Luvcrunchess (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; Pembroke Regal (Heath Campbell) was third.

The race recognized the dedication to Maine harness racing that presiding judge Charles Malia faithfully provided during his decades of officiating at area racetracks.  With Mr. Malia on hand to receive the recognition, the winners circle was packed with the owners’ connections and well-wishers of the retired PJ.

The $10,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club final was won by Todd Whitney driving Airspinder to a 1:56.3 score, winning by a quarter-length over Benson Merrill and Art Of Endurance.  Airspinder paid $7.80 to win.  Chumlee A (Ryan Hall) was third.  The race was sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of Windham and North Yarmouth.

The undercard also had several $10,000 Pop-Up series finals and make-up races, as well as four divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes, making the day one of the richest overnight cards in the track’s history, boasting over $175,000 in purses.

Bruce Ranger maintained his position atop the drivers’ standings through the Spring-Summer meet, finishing with 54 wins.  Kevin Switzer Jr. was second with 48; Nick Graffam (37), Drew Campbell (36) and Aaron Hall (35) rounded out the top five.  The leading trainers were Jeff Deslandes (22) and Chris Lefebvre (21); with Eric Bickmore, Sara Harrington and Benson Merrill each with 15.

Racing resumes for the Cumberland Fair on September 24 for a seven-day meet.  First Tracks Cumberland’s extended winter pari-mutuel meeting starts November 5 and runs through Dec. 24.

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

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

–30—

August 4, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Drew Campbell had the hot hands at Cumberland on Friday (Aug. 4), winning four races on the penultimate day of the Summer meet at the iconic Southern Maine racetrack.

Driving Valyrian Steel in the opener, Campbell started the day out strong finishing a close second to Caulfield and Walter Case Jr. who won the $8,000 Portland Breakwater Series Consolation Trot in 2:01.2.  Caulfield, a dead-heat track record holder, is now trained by Bob Marston and owned by George Tzikas.  He paid $7.60 to win; Power Mitt (Mike Stevenson) finished third.

Campbell started his grand slam afternoon by winning the $5,000 third race conditioned trot with Little Macabee.  Trained by Eric Bickmore and owned by Maryann Tompkins, the 9-year-old son of Chapter Seven paid $3.00 to win by a neck over Storm Bringer (Aaron Hall) in 2:00.4.  Parked the last half in 59.1, it was the 35^th win of his career and helped push his lifetime earnings to $213,333.

His next trip to the Blue Seal Winners Circle arrived in race nine, the $8,000 Portland Head Light Series Consolation Pace where the maritime native got up in the final strides with Riproy to score by half a length in 1:58.3.  It was just the third seasonal victory for the 9-year-old son of Mach Three, who is trained by Benson Merrill and owned by his wife Lauren Merrill.  He paid $6.20 to win.  Another Merrill-trained pupil, Ultimate Flyer N (Garrett Mosher) finished second; Jaxson R Browne (Aaron Hall) was third.

The flyin’ orange colors came right back to take the next race with Captain Nash, a $5,000 conditioned pace in 1:57.3.  Campbell drove the $8.60 winner for trainer Richard Bartlett and owner Reginald Duguay.  Favorite Twin B Impressive (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Thinking Of Slim (Aaron Hall) was third.

Drew Campbell’s fourth and final score came in the twelfth race in the form of a dead heat with Fomor for trainer Bob Martson, who shared the $6,000 winner’s share with co-winner Broadway Giant (Bruce Ranger).   Fomor paid $12.40 to win with Broadway Giant paying $9.00.  The final time was 2:02.2.

Racing resumes Saturday (August 5) for the final day of the Summer meet, with a special 2:15 early post time.  The action-packed program is headlined by the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational, which when coupled with nine $10,000 Pop-Ups series finals or other events, makes it the richest overnight race card in the history of First Tracks Cumberland.  The total non-stakes purses equal $115,000, which is the most ever for an overnight card.  Add in four Maine Sire Stakes events and the total purses for the day exceed $175,000.

Closing day of the Spring-Summer meet on Saturday (Aug. 5) also carries seven additional $10,000 ‘overnight’ races (pop-up series events) as well as the $10,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) Spring-Summer Final, sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds. 

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

Fans that purchase a race program will receive a Hambo hat, compliments of First Tracks Cumberland.  In addition, our popular Cumberland Derby returns and gives patrons who enter the contest a chance to win a total of $500 in cash.

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

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

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – Saturday’s (August 5) $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational headlines the richest overnight race program in the history of First Tracks Cumberland.  Coupled with nine additional $10,000 Pop-Ups, the total non-stakes race purses equal $115,000, the most ever for an overnight card.  Add in four Maine Sire Stakes events and the total purses for the day exceed $175,000.

The Pine Tree Invitational compliments the recent Fred Nichols Memorial at Bangor, with both pari-mutuel tracks brining top invites to Maine several times each season.  The early morning line favorite for the event is Plainridge invader Skyway Victory listed at 5-2.  Driven for the first time locally by Kevin Switzer Jr. and trained by Mark Eaton, the 5-year-old Indiana-bred son of Tellitlikeitis is making his first start back since capturing the $50,000 John Hogan Junior Invite in the Bay State on July 23.  His seasonal total is $90,471, and growing.

The second choice is local star The Bird Dance N (3-1, Nick Graffam).  With seven wins in 14 starts this season, the restless 8-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance hasn’t had a purse start since winning the Nichols on July 2.  He’s earned $46,000 this year.

The $10,000 Charlies Malia Distinguished Service Invitational Trot brings some of the best of the diagonally-gaited set to Cumberland, while paying homage to the recently retired presiding judge who helped get the First Tracks meet started back in 2021.  Mike Stevenson will drive the 2-1 fan favorite Nows The Moment for trainer Allison MacDonald.

Closing day of the Spring-Summer meet on Saturday (Aug. 5) also carries seven additional $10,000 ‘overnight’ races (pop-up series events) as well as the $10,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) Spring-Summer Final, sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds. 

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

Fans that purchase a race program will receive a Hambo hat, compliments of First Tracks Cumberland.  In addition, our popular Cumberland Derby returns and gives patrons who enter the contest a chance to win a total of $500 in cash.

The final Summer weekend of racing resumes Friday (Aug. 4, 3:15 pm) with several $8,000 Pop Up series consolations.  Saturday (Aug. 5) is closing day with a special early post time of 2:15 pm, with thirteen races on each program.

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

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

August 3, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – When assistant race secretary Andrew Topham was sweeping up old tote tickets on the apron following the opening day of First Tracks Cumberland’s inaugural meet in May 2021, he had no idea that he would be an integral part of the facility’s daily operations just 24 months later.

Looking up, it would seem that the ground level of the track was a mile away from the announcers, judges and charters booths, along with the TV cameras and technical control room.  Both figuratively and literally, the inner workings of these two positions would seem light years apart.

But that distance was no barrier to entry for the young racing official. 

“My grandfather, Mike Timmons, has been around Cumberland fair grounds for decades.  The Black Bear guys needed someone to clean up after the races, so I was quick to take the job,” noted the 22-year-old native of Maine.

At the time of the track’s opening Topham was 19 years old and earning a degree in International Business and Logistics from the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine.  “I had the summer off, and would come by after classes to empty the trash, sweep up the apron, clean the bathrooms…whatever [manager] Ben Kenney needed,” Topham added.

Not long thereafter Kenney noticed that the bright kid from Gray (Maine) was capable of much more than just sweeping the floors, so he gave Topham increased responsibility.  He added working in the paddock cleaning stalls, setting up for the next day’s program, and assisting the mutuels department whenever necessary.

“He’s a great young man and we can always count on Andrew to follow through with whatever we throw at him.  We are fortunate to have a young person like him be interested in the harness racing industry,” noted Kenney, the long-time management partner of Chris Schick, who also operate Cal Expo Harness in Sacramento.

Together with Gunner Lacour, the trio of talented track managers continue to keep things running smooth at both facilities.

Over last winter, when it was learned that the race charter from the previous two seasons, Jean Thayer, had accepted a position as race secretary at Bangor, the team jumped into action to get Andrew involved in filling that role.

“They sent me down to Monticello to work with Eric Warner and John Flynn to learn about the daily routine of the race office, as well as how to chart the races,” recalls Topham.

Warner, perhaps the longest tenured race secretary in the sport noted, “Andrew was very eager to learn.  We enjoyed having him around for the week.  He is very polite and personable, which certainly helps in this business!”

John Flynn, who has been the charter at Monticello Raceway for over 40 years, and has never missed a single day of work, stated, “The kid picked it up real quick.  “He’s a natural.”

Back at Cumberland, they also hired a new race secretary, Rob Pennington.

Having been working in the race office at busy tracks like Freehold and Harrah’s Philadelphia for the last decade, Rob hit the ground running and has been a great fit for the organization.

He quickly deputized Topham, making him the assistant race secretary, a role which fits in perfectly with his duties as the charter.  Together, with Pennington working remotely, and Topham on-site at Cumberland, they ensure that the double-draws go smoothly.

Pennington, who started working as a groom at age 16, was awarded the honor of Harness Tracks of America Caretaker of 2013.  Having a long slate of accomplished conditioners under which Pennington worked, most notably Delvin Criswell, Danny Collins, Doug Miller, Noel Daley, Virgil Morgan Jr & John Duer, the Marion, Ohio-native truly learned the business from the ground up.

“I credit my racing official career to Karen Fagliarone for taking a chance on me as a groom with no prior experience,” Pennington stated.  “Karen has continued to be a positive influence and mentor.”

Some may have wondered why all the recent Pop-Up series were named after Maine maritime attractions.  The avid Ohio State fan was quick to explain, “From the moment I got off the plane in Portland I was in love with Maine.  I did a lighthouse tour while visiting and was amazed by the beauty and history.”  Pennington continued, “Maine racing has been unbelievable to me; from management at First Tracks, horsemen and women, my coworkers and officials.  I cannot say enough about my assistant Andrew.  What an amazing asset to the company.”

Pennington, 43, is also the race secretary at Tioga Downs in NY, and in his spare time he helps support the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey.  Topham (not to be confused with the upcoming fair Topsham) enjoys all things sports and also referees hockey.  Together, their youth and exuberance for harness racing are what helps the sport grow in Maine.

Closing day of the Spring-Summer meet is this Saturday (August 5) with a full slate of big events.  The $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, more $10,000 ‘overnight’ races (pop-up series finals) than Cumberland has ever offered before on a single program, and the $10,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) Spring-Summer Final pack the final program.  In fact, every race on the program carries a purse of $10,000 or more.

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

Fans that purchase a race program will receive a Hambo hat, compliments of First Tracks Cumberland.  In addition, our popular Cumberland Derby returns and gives patrons who enter the contest a chance to win a total of $500 in cash.

The final Summer weekend of racing resumes Friday (Aug. 4, 3:15 pm) and Saturday (August 5) with a special early post time of 2:15 pm, with thirteen races on each program.

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

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