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.
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