Switzer Jr. takes five at Cumberland Friday

December 9, 2023 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (JOE SHAW PHOTOS)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Veteran reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. put on a driving clinic on Friday (Dec. 8) at First Tracks Cumberland, winning five races on the 11-race program, including half of the six divisions of the first leg of the Gingerbread Late Closing series.

Wasting little time, Switzer got the party started in the opener with Readyfortheladys who sat a two-hole trip behind favorite Miss U Big Mike (Dan Deslandes) and popped out to win the first $4,800 Gingerbread in 1:58.2. Owned and trained by Eric Bickmore, the 5-year-old son of Always A Virgin paid $9.40 to win.

Collusion Illusion (Walter Case Jr.) finished second, with the aforementioned favorite hanging on to be third.

Under sunny skies Switzer continued his assault on the finish wire, grabbing the early double with Novella Seelster in 1:58.4. The 4-year-old daughter of Sportswriter is trained by Mike Stevenson, owned by Dana Whittemore, and paid $3.00 to win that $4,000 conditioned pace.

In the second $4,800 Gingerbread division Switzer copped a natural hat trick with Bet On Joe. Coming from off the pace, the 8-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight posted the fasted mile of the day, scoring in 1:57.3. Owned by Sharon Goding and trained by Bob Marston, punters cashed a $13.00 ticket.

Always A Mystery (Dan Deslandes) finished second; He Can Rock (Aaron Hall) was third.

Switzer’s fourth victory came aboard No Humble Jumble (2:01, $12.20) for owner-trainer Wilbur Brown. Then ‘Mr. Hot Hands’ came right back in the following race to finish out his quintet with Rockinwitharythm in 2:00. Paying $31.60 in the fifth Gingerbread div., the 4-year-old son of Rockin Image gave trainer Mike Stevenson his second win on the card.

Wagering favorite Head Of The Table (Aaron Hall) finished second; Cache All The Way (Steve Wilson) was third.

In other news, bettors who support young talent have found up-and-coming driver Garrett Mosher to be sort of a ‘cash cow’ on Friday. Mosher, the 34-year-old son of veteran New England reinsman Gary Mosher, won the fourth race with Amarittigone which paid $18.00 for trainer Hunter Moody. Then he came right back in the next race to win with his own Ultimate Flyer N in 1:57.4, paying $39.60. Benson Merrill was the conditioner in that Gingerbread div.

Aaron Hall won the remaining two Gingerbreads, scoring with his own Lucan Hanover (1:58, $2.40) and his dad’s (Craig Hall) Mr Blissfull (1:58.3, $13.60). The purse for this series will increase to $5,500 next week with a $10,000 final on Christmas Eve. The series drew a total of 46 entrants for the preliminary round.

Racing continues Saturday (Dec. 9) at Cumberland.

The Winter Festival continues at First Tracks Cumberland with our ‘December to Remember’ three-day weekends of racing. The entire holiday month enjoys a three-peat of Friday-Saturday-Sunday programs. First post is a now few minutes earlier, slated for 10:55 am each day.

Racing at Cumberland continues three days each week through Christmas Eve, 2023.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Retirees help pack Cumberland Late Closers

December 7, 2023 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Race secretary Rob Pennington hit a home run with his holiday-themed winter late closing series, resulting in the presentation of over a dozen legs of four individual series being contested over the upcoming three-day (Dec. 8 – 10) weekend at First Tracks Cumberland. With a total of $68,800 in first leg purses alone, the series conditions were obviously a big hit with the Maine horsemen, as well as soon-to-be retirees.

Mike Cushing, president of the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association agreed. “These Late Closer Series offered by First Tracks Cumberland have offered our hearty Maine Horsemen and women the opportunity to race for decent money right through the closing weekend.”

Cushing, who also serves as track announcer during the winter months concluded, “The fact that trainers have entered 14 full fields of horses in these series shows their commitment to what was once considered off-season racing in the state of Maine.”

Friday’s card boasts six divisions of the first leg of the Gingerbred Late Closer for pacers that were non-winners of $20,000 this year as of Nov. 30, etc. Each leg goes for $4,800 this week and will increase to $5,500 next week with a $10,000 final on Christmas Eve. The series drew a total of 46 entrants for the preliminary round, with several horses that last raced at Plainridge enjoying a shorter commute this week.

The third race features veteran pacer Twin B Impressive being handled by veteran driver-owner Bruce Ranger. The 8-5 morning line favorite scores from pylon position in the second division of the Gingerbred series. The 14-year-old son of super sire Bettor’s Delight is also slated for our Au Revoir retirement ceremonies on Saturday (Dec. 23). Although Cumberland will host a special race for 14-year-old retirees on that date, it is likely the Twin B Impressive will have to wait an extra day to close out his career in the Gingerbred final.

Another duel Gingerbred-Au Revoir participant is Ira Chief who will score from post four in race seven with Nick Graffam handling the lines. Trained by Mike Graffam and owned by Chris Hamilton, the 14-year-old son of Chief Silverheels has 52 wins lifetime and amassed in $558,372 in career earnings. He is listed as the 7-2 second choice in his division.

Rounding out the Gingerbred fields is Cee Pee Panic, the third horse in the twilight of his career that is also scheduled for retirement honors this season. The 14-year-old son of Perfect Union is trained by Benson Merrill and is owned by Hudson Valley residents John and Thelma Kiernan and Tom Bemont. At 9-2 on the morning line in the 11^th race finale, Garrett Mosher gets the call on the seasoned veteran making his 398^th career start.

Saturday’s (Dec. 9) card features three $5,000 divisions of the Rudolph Late Closer Pace, Leg 1, for NW $25,000 in 2023, etc., which bumps up to $6,000 next week and includes a $10,000 final.

In addition, fan favorite gray horse and soon-to-be retired Putnam’s Storm will race for his 85-year-old owner-trainer-driver Bob Nadeau. Much has been written about the sport’s fastest Maritime-bred ghostly pacer, and shall suffice to say that many a tear will be shed when we bid Au Revoir to this proud sidestepper.

On the Sunday (Dec. 10) program the Holly Lane and Jack Frost late closers also enjoy two and three divisions respectively.

The $5,000 Holly Lane Pace for fillies and mares NW $25,000 in 2023, etc. is filled with veteran mares along with a few sophomore fillies looking to remain active now that their state programs have concluded. That series jumps to $6,000 a division next week and goes for a $10,000 final on Dec. 24.

The trotting counterpart Jack Frost Trot also enjoys $5,000 divisions this week, $6,000 next week with a $10,000 final. In fact, all four of the above listed late closing series have the potential for $7,000 consolation races, if entries permit, making this one of the most lucrative programs ever offered at First Tracks Cumberland.

Another highly anticipated event is the $4,400 sixth leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) race and is slated for Sunday, which includes Au Revoir participant Supreme Mach N. Owner-trainer-driver Dalton Lee guides the winner of 46 races lifetime in the opener from the outermost post 8. As always, the MADC events are sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham.

Neverdie rounds out the six 14-year-old Au Revoir horses that continue to put in the miles. Co-owned by trainer Mike Cushing and driver Steve Wilson (with Mike Graham), the veteran son of Credit Winner boasts 52 lifetime victories, and as his name suggests, will never say die.

Sixteen horses in all have committed to the Au Revoir retirement ceremonies. The above mentioned horses will also be joined by: Drunk And Dramatic, Fuzzylegsandall, J J S Jet, Mountain Rock, Natural Breeze, Northview Punter N, Nucular Enemy, Penney’s Spirit, Remix and Stardust Memories.

The Winter Festival continues at First Tracks Cumberland with our ‘December to Remember’ three-day weekends of racing. The entire holiday month enjoys a three-peat of Friday-Saturday-Sunday programs. A total of 32 races will be offered over the upcoming Dec. 8 – 10 span. First post is a now few minutes earlier, slated for 10:55 am each day.

Racing at Cumberland continues three days each week through Christmas Eve, 2023.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/ Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland

Switzer slams, Case triples at Cumberland

December 4, 2023 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Kevin Switzer Jr. won four and Walter Case Jr. won three races, including the feature, giving the veteran reinsmen over half of the victories on Sunday’s (Dec. 3) soggy twelve race card.

Case got busy immediately winning the second race with Cinco Senorita from post seven. Parked out the last half, the 5-year-old Pet Rock mare scored in 2:01 and paid $6.20 for trainer McKenzie Sowers and owner Marianna Monaco.

Trainer McKenzie Sowers sent out another winner with Walter Case Jr. driving in race four. Jumpshot jumped right out for the lead from post four and never looked back. Tripping the timer in 2:02.2, the 7-year-old son of E L Titan paid $5.00 for owner Room4040 LLC Stables.

Kevin Switzer Jr. got things rolling in race seven, coming from off the pace with Pembroke Booboo in 2:05.1. The 4-year-old daughter of Pembroke Slugger paid $12.20 to win for owner-trainer Jason Leal.

Switzer came right back in race eight to score with Martaritaondarocks in 2:02.2 for owner-trainer Cain MacKenzie. The 4-year-old Pet Rock mare paid $4.00.

In the $6,500 ninth race winners over trot, Walter Case Jr. was three wide down the backside with Ice Breakers K and grabbed the feature in 2:00.3 by a quarter of a length, getting up in the final strides for the victory. It was also the third win of the day for trainer McKenzie Sowers. The 4-year-old son of Winning Mister is owned by Room4040 LLC Stables, and picked up his fifth win of the year.

Kevin Switzer Jr. came back to win the final two races on the card with Foxy Trottin Stick (2:04.3, $11.80) and Whatchagonnadoboo (2:00.4, $8.00), giving the top driver four wins on the afternoon card.

There was a $453.29 carryover in the finale’s High Five Pentafecta, which will be added to Friday’s (Dec. 8) pool.

Bruce Ranger leads all drivers at Cumberland with 67 victories this year. Switzer Jr. follows with 61 victories, then Drew Campbell (51), Nick Graffam (49), and Aaron Hall (48) round out the top five.

Todd Whitney won the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event with Patanjali N in 2:01.4. Owned and trained by Michelle Lefebvre, the 10-year-old mare by American Ideal picked up her seventh win of the season and paid $4.80 to win. The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Horsemen are reminded that Cumberland’s Winter Late Closing Series starts next week, with the potential for over $150,000 in purses being offered. For more information, please go to: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/horsemen/

In addition, the last day to enter a horse in the Au Revoir Retirement Ceremony is Wednesday (Dec. 6), also sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds. For more information contact Chris Tully.

Racing at Cumberland resumes on Friday (Dec. 8) and continues with our regular three-day weekend schedule, Fridays through Sundays, up until Christmas Eve. Post time remains 11 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Lexus Witha View grabs Cumberland feature

December 3, 2023 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Lexus Witha View A jumped up in the final strides to capture the $6,500 winners over feature at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday (Dec. 2), winning by a nose over betting favorite The Bird Dance N.

With half of the field tracing their origins to ‘Down Under’ the well-traveled group of top pacers made for an exciting race with the winner hanging in the balance until the very last moment.

At the start, driver Dan Deslandes put local fire engine The Bird Dance N right where he likes to be…on the front end. The 7-5 favorite was on the muscle at the :27.3 opening panel, with Ranaldi (Kevin Switzer Jr.) grabbing the garden spot and Dontbothermenone N (Ron Cushing) riding shotgun first over from post eight.

Going to the :57.2 half-mile marker the tempo had eased momentarily, allowing the outer flow to build with Bush Man N (Bruce Ranger) now second over and Lexus Witha View A (Nick Graffam) locked in the box fourth.

As the field dashed down the backstretch for the final time, Dontbothermenone N was stalling forcing Bush Man N three wide. The Bird Dance N accelerated into a 1:27.1 third panel and gained some separation on the rest of the pack. That was all the daylight that Graffam needed with 9-1 longshot Lexus Witha View A as he tipped out of the three-hole and was now charging first over around the final turn.

Down the stretch the leader was being tracked down with every stride, with the pursuer eliminating his 3-1/2 length head of the stretch deficit to a mere whisker. Lexus Witha View A scored in 1:57.1, getting up by a nose in the final stride over The Bird Dance N. Ranaldi hung on for third.

Trained and co-owned by Jamie Gerard with Strategic Racing Stable, the 9-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere paid $20.40 to win. It was the second win in a row for Lexus Witha View A, who now has six wins with $54,258 earned this season.

Graffam had a driving hat trick on the twelve-race card, with Drew Campbell and Aaron Hall each grabbing doubles.

Racing continues at First Tracks Cumberland for the Sunday (Dec. 3) program with another dozen races on the card. First post is 11 am.

Racing at Cumberland continues three days each week, Friday through Sunday, up until Christmas Eve. Post time remains 11 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Airspinder takes flight at Cumberland

December 2, 2023 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – They couldn’t catch local favorite Airspinder as driver Wally Watson guided the $4,800 feature winner to a wire-to-wire victory at Cumberland on Friday (Dec. 1).

Scoring from post three, Watson fed the 7-year-old son of No Spin Zone plenty of racetrack when the wings folded, while being pushed to a swift :28.2 opening panel, with Reys N A Ruckus (Dan Deslandes) ultimately conceding and ducking into the two-hold.

The first to move was the sophomore pacer So Rock N’ Roll (Kevin Switzer Jr.) who helped urge the pack to the :58.4 half-mile marker. As the field straightened out down the backside So Rock N’ Roll looked the 8-5 favorite Airspinder right in the eye, with 21-1 longshot Jaxson R Brown (Nick Graffam) poised to pounce second over at the 1:27.2 third stanza.

Announcer Mike Cushing exclaimed “Airspinder is a tough horse to pass” as Watson urged his charge through the turn, thwarting the advances of So Rock N’ Roll. With the latter horse fading, Jaxson R Browne made his thrust for the wire, but could not catch the victorious Airspinder.

Tripping the timer in 1:57.1, Airspinder prevailed by three parts of a length and paid $5.40 to win his seventh race of the year. Earning $31,058 this season, he is owned and trained by David Sawyer. Jaxson R Browne finished second; So Rock N’ Roll hung on to be third.

Both Bruce Ranger and Dan Deslandes enjoyed driving doubles on the nine race card, and conditioner Benson Merrill harnessed a pair of winners: Southwind Terror (2:00.2; $6.40) and Ultimate Flyer N (1:59.2; $10.00).

Racing continues at First Tracks Cumberland for the Saturday (Dec. 2) and Sunday (Dec. 3) programs, with a dozen races each day. There is a $710.75 carryover in the High-5 Pentafecta in Saturday’s finale. First post is 11 am.

Racing at Cumberland continues three days each week through Christmas Eve, 2023. Post time remains 11 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/