September 30, 2023, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two $15,000-plus divisions of Pine Tree State-sired sophomore pacers highlighted the Friday (Sept. 29) program at Cumberland Fair, with the speedy side-steppers performing in their penultimate legs of the rich Maine Sire Stakes.

Once again, the Tardif Taskforce showed that they are indeed a force to be reckoned with.

In the $15,209 opener for the glamour boys division, aka 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, the Kevin Switzer Jr.-driven Twice The Ice took matters into his own hands and discarded his previous ‘off the pace’ style for the reinsman’s preferred method of ‘catch me if you can.’

Leaving from post two, ‘Switz’ had the son of Deuce Seelster right on the engine from the start and set opening fractions of :29.4 and 1:00.4.

Allowing for that brief respite going to the half, Switzer Jr. stepped on the gas as stable mate Anithingforyoudear (Dan Deslandes-Marc Tardif) had moved first over and was looking the pacesetter right in the eye at the 1:30.1 third panel.

Stride for stride, toe to toe, head to head, the pair battled down the Cumberland stretchm, with neither foe giving or taking an inch.  When the finish wire finally arrived it was the cool character Twice The Ice that prevailed by a nose in 2:00.

Grabbing his second win of the season for owner-trainer Marc Tardif, it was the colt’s first victory since July 1.  Perhaps peaking at the right time, the Gary and Kristina Hall-bred colt was also being driven by Switzer for the first time in recent memory.  He paid $6.20 to win.

Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall-Valerie Grondin) finished third.

The fairer set competed for the $15,193 3-year-old filly pace, with heavy favorite Pickmepickme taking this one in dominant fashion.

Leaving from post five, regular pilot Andy Harrington had the daughter of Western Maverick settle into fourth position after the start and a :29 opening panel which was set by Ally Mac and Bruce Ranger.

Heading to the 1:00 second stanza, Harrington moved his filly to the top and never looked back, scoring in 2:00 by a measured length.  She paid $2.20 to win as the odds-on choice.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, it was the top filly’s sixth seasonal victory and third in a row.  She now sports lifetime earnings of $147,316.

La Mambacita (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished second; Justcallmemimi (Walter Case Jr.-Mike Graffam) was third.

Harness racing at Cumberland Fair continues at 1:30 pm on Saturday (Sept. 20) with all four $50,000-plus divisional Maine Sire Stakes freshmen finals. The popular Cumberland Derby is also back, and will be offered on race seven, where fans that participate have a chance to win $500 in cash prizes.

Racing continues with a special 11 am post time for Sunday (Oct. 1), where the first 100 patrons that purchase a program will receive a $5 betting voucher. 

First Tracks Cumberland’s winter festival reconvenes on Sunday, November 5, abiding by a weekend racing schedule through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).  Winter post times will be 11 a.m.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

September 28, 2023, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine-sired sophomore trotters got their day in the spotlight on Wednesday (Sept. 27) at Cumberland Fair, with the diagonally gaited set giving fans and bettors some thrilling finishes to cheer about.

The Tardif Taskforce sent Outlawofthevalley into the $14,941 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings, with the underdog finally getting some bragging rights over his nemesis and wagering favorite Wabanaki (Ivan Davies).

Although it is a friendly rivalry, it has been a season-long battle between two of the best male sophomore trotters in the Pine Tree State, with Wabanaki holding a three win lead over Outlawofthevalley.  However the latter reduced that margin to two as his regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. sent the son of Pembroke Slugger right out to the lead from post four, dashing to a :29.2 opening panel.

Following a 1:00.4 half-mile breather Outlawofthevalley was prompted to a 1:29.4 third stanza and put five lengths between himself and his pursuers, with Wabanaki leading the rest of the pack.   At the head of the stretch Davies had Wabanaki with two spans of the pacesetter and continued to gain ground.

The wire came just in time for Outlawofthevalley who prevailed by a nose in 2:00, a new lifetime best.

Owned and bred by Leighton Property, it was his fourth seasonal victory and paid his backers $9.60 for the win.

Pembroke Traveler (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished third.

In the $14,952 3-year-old filly trot, Ivan Davies had his star distaff Wild Ending in gear and on point and sent her out to a wire-to-wire romp in 2:02.3, winning by five open lengths.

Owned by Anita ‘Bunny’ Anastosopoulos-Andrew, and bred by the late Mike Andrew, it was Wild Ending’s seventh win of the season, where she paid $2.20 to win as the heavy favorite.

She’salilbitmouthy (Mike Cushing) finished second; Melania’s Best (John Nason) was third.

‘Double Digit’ Dave Ingraham scored three times on the afternoon program, however none of those victories entered the double digit category.

Harness racing at Cumberland Fair continues at 1:30 pm on Friday (Sept. 29) with a special 11 am finale slated for Sunday (Oct. 1). 

Maine Sire Stakes returns with the 3-year-old pacers on Friday (Sept. 29).  The highlight of the week will be all four $50,000-plus divisional Maine Sire Stakes freshmen finals on Saturday (Sept. 30), with three of the divisions on the talent-packed 13-race card, and one early non-bettor at 1:10 pm.

First Tracks Cumberland’s winter festival reconvenes on Sunday, November 5, abiding by a weekend racing schedule through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).  Winter post times will be 11 a.m.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

September 27, 2023, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Up-and-coming reinsman Winter Asher-Stalbaum won the swiftest race of the day with Zack Vickerson’s Beach Fire K in 1:55.1 on Tuesday (Sept. 26) at Cumberland Fair.

The 6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere, driven by the 19-year-old Asher Stalbaum, made every call a winning one.  While setting fractions of :27, 56.2 and 1:24.4, the pair gained eight lengths on the rest of the field through the third panel.  Down the stretch Make Some Waves (Walter Case Jr.) had shortened that margin down to a length before the wire arrived and the pacesetter prevailed.

Trained and co-owned by Zach Vickerson with Haley Karken, he paid $10.80 to win the $5,200 conditioned pace.  Make Some Waves finished second; Lexus With a View A (Chris Long) was third.

Airspinder won the $6,000 feature 1:57.4 for driver Dan Deslandes and owner-trainer David Sawyer.  He paid $4.80 to win.

Driver Chris Long won three races on the afternoon card, which was the third day of racing at the Fair.  Walter Case Jr. and Aaron Hall won a pair each.

Harness racing at Cumberland Fair continues at 1:30 pm on Wednesday (Sept. 27) with full cards scheduled through Sunday (Oct. 1).  A special post time of 11 am is slated for that final date.  There is no racing on Thursday (Sept. 28).

There will be a live draw for the Freshmen Finals on Wednesday (Sept. 27) at 12:30 pm.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes returns with 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Sept. 27), and then roll into the 3-year-old pacers on Friday (Sept. 29).  The highlight of the week will be all four $40,000-plus divisional Maine Sire Stakes freshmen finals on Saturday (Sept. 30).

First Tracks Cumberland’s winter festival reconvenes on Sunday, November 5, abiding by a weekend racing schedule through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).  Winter post times will be 11 a.m.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

September 26, 2023, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Walter Case Jr. and Drew Campbell each won three races on Monday (Sept. 25) during the second day of racing at the Cumberland Fair, giving the veteran reinsmen victories in two-thirds of the racing card.

‘Casey’ started things off in the opener with Showme Some Muscle in a wire-to-wire romp for trainer Candace Brandstatter.  He paid $4.60 to get his 17^th lifetime score.

Two races later Case Jr. and Winter Asher-Stalbaum had a dead heat for win with Ranaldi and Lord Willoughby A, respectively, in 1:57.1.  They both paid $2.40 to win as the betting co-favorites.  Ranaldi is trained by Cain Mackenzie for owner Common Kings Stable, where Lord Willoughby A is owned by Winter and trained by his older sister Riley.

The next race was captured by Drew Campbell with American Fighter in 1:59.1.  Trained by Mark Harris for owner Gayle Harris, the longshot paid a whopping $51.80 to grab the 32^nd win of his life.

Case Jr. secured the next event with Your Momma in another coast-to-coast victory lap, cruising to a 1:59.4 score.  Owned and trained by Eddie Fournier Jr., she paid $3.40 to win for the 14^th time in her career.

Drew Campbell popped again with S R Willpower in 1:59.  Blasting three-deep on the backside, the teamster rolled home to grab the win for trainer Wayne Smith and owners Courtney Pitts and Adalberto Silva.  It was the 19^th victory of his career, paying $9.40.

Campbell came right back to win by a neck with See You Friday for owner-trainer Michelle Lefebvre in 1:58, paying $4.00 for his 25^th lifetime triumph.

John Nason enjoyed a driving-training double.

Harness racing at Cumberland Fair continues at 1:30 pm on Tuesday (Sept. 26) with full cards scheduled through Sunday (Oct. 1).  A special post time of 11 am is slated for that final date.  There is no racing on Thursday (Sept. 28).

There will be a live draw for the Freshmen Finals on Wednesday (Sept. 27) at 12:30 pm.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes returns with 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Sept. 27), and then roll into the 3-year-old pacers on Friday (Sept. 29).  The highlight of the week will be all four $40,000-plus divisional Maine Sire Stakes freshmen finals on Saturday (Sept. 30).

First Tracks Cumberland’s winter festival reconvenes on Sunday, November 5, abiding by a weekend racing schedule through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).  Winter post times will be 11 a.m.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

September 25, 2023, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The 151^st annual Cumberland Fair opened Sunday (Sept. 24) with teamster Ron Cushing taking a pair of the Coastline pop-up splits with horses trained by Dakota Jackson.

Jackson began last week with a decisive victory in the prestigious Tim Fouts Memorial Amateur Driving Championship at the Delaware County Fair on Sunday (Sept. 17), and followed that up with a training double on the opening day of the Fair at the iconic Southern Maine oval.

In the fastest mile of the day, a $5,200 Coastline Pop Up, Cushing driving Trente Deo was content to let former Maine Sire Stakes sophomore champion Deal With It Roman (Bruce Ranger-Marc Tardif) show the way from his pylon starting position. 

While setting a speedy :27.3 opening panel, the veteran reinsman backed down the half to :57.1.  However, when the outer flow started to gain momentum through the paddock turn, Ranger let the son of Western Maverick out a notch and hit the third station in 1:25.1.

Throughout the mile Cushing had Trente Deo sitting tight on Ranger’s helmet and waited until the head of the stretch to pull the slingshot.  Gaining ground with every stride, the pair prevailed by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2.

Deal With It Roman finished second; Mocha On The Rocks (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) was third.

Owned by Zachary Jackson, twin brother of trainer Dakota Jackson, the 7-year-old son of Captaintreacherous picked up the 31^st win of his career, paying $2.80 to win.

Cushing and Jackson came right back to win the next race, another $5,200 Coastline Pop Up, with Gotta Minute N on the front end in 1:57.4.  Owned by the Ettore Annunziata Rev. Trust, the 10-year-old son of Badlands Hanover paid $3.40 to win for the 28^th time of his career.

Other series winners include: $5,500 Lobster Pop Up, Rambling Ruby (Aaron Hall-Eric Bickmore) & Real Sancho (Joey Mosher-Kim Vafiades); $5,200 Coastline Pop Up, Paxton (Cambell-Grondin); $5,200 Autumn Pop Up, Humor Me (Hall-Vafiades); $5,000 Blueberry Pop Up, Rest Assured (Mike Stevenson).

All of the ‘trackmaster rating’ conditioned pacing series carry total final purses of $35,000, and are being held in conjunction with the $240,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on September 30.  In addition, the track’s popular Cumberland Derby returns and gives patrons who enter the contest a chance to win a total of $500 in cash.

There will be a live draw for the Freshmen Finals on Wednesday (Sept. 27) at 12:30 pm.

Harness racing at Cumberland Fair continues at 1:30 pm on Monday (Sept. 25) with full cards scheduled through Sunday (Oct. 1), with a special post time of 11 am for that final date.  There is no racing on Thursday (Sept. 28).

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes returns with 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Sept. 27), and then roll into the 3-year-old pacers on Friday (Sept. 29).  The highlight of the week will be all four $60,000-plus divisional Maine Sire Stakes freshmen finals on Saturday (Sept. 30).

First Tracks Cumberland’s winter festival reconvenes on Sunday, November 5, abiding by a weekend racing schedule through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).  Winter post times will be 11 a.m.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

September 22, 2023, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Down East faithful will transition from Farmington to the 151^st annual Cumberland Fair on Sunday (Sept. 24) with ten harness races programmed at the iconic Southern Maine oval.

Many of Maine’s rural fairs are known for their tractor pulls and draft horse demonstrations, however the Cumberland fair was first held in 1868 with harness racing as the “Maine” attraction.  It remains one of the biggest annual agricultural events in the southern part of the Pine Tree state.

The harness racing at Cumberland Fair will start at 1:30 pm on opening day, Sunday (Sept. 24) with full cards scheduled for seven dates through Sunday (Oct. 1), with a special post time of 11 am for that final date.

The featured events for the opening day card are the first legs of four individual pop up series, which are ‘trackmaster rating’ conditioned paces.  The series finals are being held in conjunction with the $240,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on September 30, and carry total final purses of $35,000.

“First Tracks Cumberland is excited to once again host the rich Maine Sire Stakes freshmen finals, and we want the entire day to be a fun and exciting event for all the fans and horsemen,” stated racing secretary Rob Pennington.

Two six-horse legs of the $5,500 Lobster Pop Up series eliminations go postward as races one and nine on opening day (Sept. 24).

Rambling Ruby (Aaron Hall) has been installed as the early 5-2 morning line favorite in the opener, scoring from post five for owner-trainer Eric Bickmore.  Leaving from pylon position as the second choice at 7-2 is Justcallmeminnie (Nick Graffam) who is owned and trained by Gretchen Athearn.

The second $5,500 division, carded as race nine, pits recent Bangor winner Real Sancho with owner-driver Joey Mosher (post 3, 9-5), against Paris Beau (Bruce Ranger) and Canbec Kingkazimir (Kevin Switzer Jr.) as the second and third choices, respectively. 

The top four finishers from each division that enter will return for the $9,500 final on Sept. 30.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes returns with 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Sept. 27), and then roll into the 3-year-old pacers on Friday (Sept. 29).  The highlight of the week will be all four $60,000-plus divisional Maine Sire Stakes freshmen finals on Saturday (Sept. 30).

In other news, when all eyes were fixed upon the Delaware County Fair on Thursday (Sept. 21) one of Maine’s favorite sons, ‘Polie’ Mallar, had his top colt Ken Hanover pace the fastest mile in the 78-year history of the Little Brown Jug.  David Miller drove the son of Captaintreacherous to a 1:48.4 triumph in the second elimination, who is co-owned by Pine Tree State residents Pat Leavitt (pictured) and Bill Jordan, along with Mallar and Dennis Osterholt.

First Tracks Cumberland’s winter festival reconvenes on Sunday, November 5, abiding by a weekend racing schedule through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).  Winter post times will be 11 a.m.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.