November 12, 2023 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. won four of ten races on Saturday (Nov. 11) at First Tracks Cumberland, including a natural hat trick in the first three legs of the Pick-4.
Switzer Jr. began the day with a pillar-to-post upset in the $4,800 conditioned pace race three with Axion Hanover. Following a scattering of the field by an early breaker in the first turn, Switzer turned turmoil into triumph by maintaining his pylon position and scooting home in 1:59. Trained by Mark Harris for owner Gayle Harris, the 4-year-old son of Betting Line paid a whopping $20.20 to win. Scouts Report (Dan Deslandes) finished second; Lucan Hanover (Aaron Hall) was third.
Saturday’s featured $5,000 conditioned pace in race seven witnessed another upset as Switzer Jr. scored with So It Goes over 1-2 favorite Real Sancho (Drew Campbell) who was looking for win number eight.
When the wings folded Switzer pushed the 7-year-old son of American Ideal to the top where he set moderate fractions of :29, 1:00, 1:29.1 before holding off the late charge of the favorite to prevail by a head in 2:00. So It Goes is owned and trained by Brian Lamb and paid $12.60 to win. Swellendam (Dan Deslandes) finished third.
Switzer won his next two outings with Bush Man N ($4.60, 1:58.1) for trainer Benson Merrill and Pembroke Legend ($11.00, 2:03) for owner-conditioner Jason Leal.
Driver Drew Campbell won two races on the card, with a different trainer winning each of the ten races on the late morning-early afternoon program.
Racing continues at Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (Nov. 12) with an 11 am post time. First Tracks Cumberland in Maine races Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of November and will transition to three days each week (adding Fridays) beginning December 1 and continuing through Christmas Eve, 2023.
For the third season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 23. The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing or retired and have Maine connections. Horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter and be featured in a half-page bio with photograph in the program. Equine honorees must be present to participate and must ‘declare’ by Dec. 6. To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.
For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/
Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.
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