Horsemen remember Frank Dubreuil

June 29, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Trainer Valerie Grondin made a clean sweep of both Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters at Cumberland Raceway on Friday (June 28), the second trainer to do so in as many weeks.

In the pair of $16,000-plus divisions of Pine Tree State-bred harness horses, the Bangor-based conditioner, along with her husband Heath Campbell, are always a formidable force on the local stakes circuit and proved that point once again.

The action began with an early non-betting race for Maine-sired 3-year-old male trotters, where Mark Athearn had sent last week’s winner Carabassett to the top from pylon position.  Following splits of 29.3 and 1:01.3, it appeared as if the pacesetter would have things his own way.

However, driver Drew Campbell piloting Grondin’s Chipper Dale was sitting comfortably in the 2-hole following a 1:31.1 third panel and tipped out in the lane to overcome the leader and score in 2:02.1 by 2-1/4 lengths. 

The sophomore son of Shake It Off Lindy trotted his final quarter in 30.4 and took a new lifetime mark for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe to take home the lion’s share of the $15,758 purse.  The connections surely have high hopes for Chipper Dale as he won six of eight starts last season.

Carrabassett finished second; Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell-Grondin) was third.

The regular card featured the $16,208 3-year-old filly trot, which was a rematch between last week’s victor, My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn-Gretchen Athearn) and last year’s 2-year-old filly champion Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell-Grondin), who finished second last time out. 

Once again, Athearn left with his filly My Saving Grace, setting reasonable fractions of 30.3 and 1:03.1 to the half.  With the tempo increasing dramatically moving into a 1:33.1 third stanza, Heath Campbell had Pembroke Breeze first up and gaining ground with every stride.  By the head of the stretch the only question was ‘how fast’ and ‘by how many’ the daughter of Pembroke Slugger would be victorious.

The Grondin trainee did everything her aviator asked of her, scoring in 2:03 by 4-3/4 lengths, taking a new lifetime mark in the process.  Owned and bred by Bill Varney, she paid $4.20 to win.

Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing-Charlene Cushing) finished second; My Saving Grace was third.

Friday’s program also included a tribute race, in memory of Frank Dubreuil where dozens of his fellow horsemen, admirers and friends formed a horseshoe tribute at the finish wire in honor of their former presiding judge.

Drivers Kevin Switzer Jr., Walter Case Jr., Aaron Hall and Dave Ingraham had driving doubles on the program.  However, none paid more than ‘Double-Digit’ Dave’s score in the ninth race where he paid $131.40 with the Michel Bilodeau-trained Age Is A Number in 1:58.4.

Looking ahead to Saturday (June 29), Cumberland welcomes back the 3-year-old pacing colts for another round of Maine Sires Stakes action, with two $16,000-plus divisions going postward as races one and three. 

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 28, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Maine-bred trotters return to First Tracks Cumberland on Friday (June 28) for two $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes, where the Athearn’s My Saving Grace will try to make it two-in-a-row as she takes on a handful of fillies in the opener.

The action starts Friday with a single non-betting race at 2:45 pm for Maine-sired 3-year-old male trotters, where Mark and Gretchen Athearn also send last week’s winner Carabassett.  The sophomore son of Boy Band drew pylon position in the early race, and hopes that spot will allow for another wire-to-wire rout where he took a new mark of 2:03.2 for owner Pat Leavitt.

Then the 12-race card opener features the $16,208 3-year-old filly trot, which is a rematch between last week’s victor, My Saving Grace (7-5, Mark Athearn) and last year’s 2-year-old filly champion Pembroke Breeze (6-5, Heath Campbell), who finished second last time out.  Both fillies are intimately familiar with each other, having sparred over ten times and have traded victories almost equally.

Friday’s (June 28) card (post time 3:15 pm) also includes a tribute race, in memory of Frank Dubreuil in race 4, as well as a $5,000 guaranteed 50-cent Pick-4 (races 9-12) with a low 16-percent take out.

Looking ahead to Saturday (June 29), Cumberland welcomes back the 3-year-old pacing colts for another round of Maine Sires Stakes action, with two $16,000-plus divisions going postward as races one and three. 

Leading the charge in the first division is the even money favorite Ella V Fella (Kevin Switzer-Marc Tardif).  A winner of three of five races this season, he leaves from post one and will have to contend with the hard-charging Hesjustadelight (2-1, Ron Cushing) from post five.

In the second $16,482 division the rail-sitting favorite Justcallmebuck (2-1, Heath Campbell-Gary Hall) could very well have things his own way from the inside.  Winner of his last two stakes and three overall, the gray son of Deuce Seelster is clearly on a roll.  Likely to be his biggest threats are a one-two punch from the Tardif Taskforce in Wes’s Challenge (3-1, Walter Case Jr.) and Two Fold Cold (7-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.), who are both winners in their last outings.

Also on Saturday’s 12-race program of full fields includes the featured overnight $6,000 top pace with So Rock N’Roll putting his 7-race win streak on the line in race nine.  In addition, the $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) goes as race five on Saturday.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 22, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Mark Athearn and trainer Gretchen Athearn swept a pair of Maine Sire Stakes trotting events on Friday (June 21) at Cumberland Raceway, recreating a similar instance last season where the same two youngsters won their stakes debuts on the same day.

It was like Déjà vu all over again when in the $15,758 early non-wagering event Athearn’s Carrabassett went right to the top and never looked back, scoring by 9 open lengths in 2:03.2.  The sophomore son of Boy Band did the same thing in his first pari-mutuel race in 2023, winning in a pedestrian 2:11.3.  Reducing his mark by nearly 8 seconds, it was his first trip back to the winner’s circle since last July.  Owned by Patrick Leavitt, he was bred by the late Mike Andrew.

Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) last season’s freshman champion finished second; Chipper Dale (Drew Campbell) was third.  They were both trained by Valerie Grondin.

In the $16,208 opener for Maine-sired 3-year-old trotting fillies, Athearn took matters into his own hands once again and repeated his wire-to-wire journey with My Saving Grace in 2:05.1.  The Shake It Off Lindy filly won her first three starts last year, and went on to capture a total of five Maine Sire Stakes on the season.  Taking a new mark for Team Athearn, she is owned by Margaret Thyng and paid $7.60 to win by a length.  She was bred by Leighton Property.

Last year’s distaff champ and 1-2 favorite Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell) finished second; Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) was third.

Next, a pair of $16,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings went postward as races 3 and 4 on the 13-race pari-mutuel card.

Justcallmebuck just keeps on winning as the son of Deuce Seelster grabbed his third in a row for driver Heath Campbell and trainer Gary Hall.  Slicing through the beam in 1:59.1, the duo provided a meager $2.20 payoff as the 1-9 heavy favorite.  Owned and bred by Kristina Hall, it was the gray colt’s second consecutive stakes victory, and another wire-to-wire romp.

What’s For Suppah (Aaron Hall-Michelle Hardin) finished a fast-closing second; Chance Worth Tryin (Drew Campbell-Kevin Chase) was third.

The Tardif Taskforce nearly swept the final $16,416 event, with their charges taking first, second and fourth places.  Aaron Hall left swiftly with Ron Cushing’s Hesjustadelight, setting an opening panel of 29.1.  They paced in single file fashion to the 59.2 half, where 1-2 favorite Ella V Fella (Kevin Switzer Jr.) moved first over from fifth position. While he embarked on that mission to improve his position, that attempt proved unsuccessful as stable mate Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.) popped the deuce and took command past the 1:28.1 third stanza.

Storming home in 1:58, the son of Deuce Seelster paid $7.20 to win, who was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.  Art’s Flight (Andy Harrington-Mark Tardif) picked up the pieces and finished second; Hesjustadelight hung on to be third; Ella V Fella was fourth.

Driver Drew Campbell had four wins on the card, and Mark Athearn won three which included the early non-betting race.

Racing resumes on Saturday (June 22) which brings the Learn & Earn 2-year-old races back with four non-wagering events starting at 1:30 pm.  The regular card begins promptly at 3:15 pm with a 12-race program of full fields, including the featured $6,000 top pace in race 11.

A single $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) rings the bell for the opener on Saturday.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 20, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland hosts four $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes on Friday (June 21) when the southern oval begins a stretch of 30 races over the weekend.

The action starts Friday with a single non-betting race at 2:45 pm for Maine-sired 3-year-old male trotters.  Then the 13-race card opener features the $16,208 3-year-old filly trot, led by last year’s frosh filly champion Pembroke Breeze.  The Valerie Grondin-trained lass by Pembroke Slugger has been listed as 6-5.  Heath Campbell gets the call from post 4.

Pine Tree State racing continues in races 3 and 4 with the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers which was rescheduled due to the cancellation of the Wednesday (June 19) Bangor program. 

Last week, the fastest of the two divisions of sophomore pacing boys was captured by Gary Hall’s Just Call Me Buck in 1:57.4.  The 3-year-old son of Deuce Seelster won his last pair of outings and will be looking to make this race a three-peat performance.  Installed as the 6-5 early morning line favorite, Heath Campbell gets the assignment.

Second choice What’s For Suppah (3-1, Aaron Hall) will try to crash the party from his outermost post position five.  Owned and trained by Michelle Hardin, he is also a son of Deuce Seelster and would like to get the lion’s share of the $16,191 purse in race 3.

In the second $16,416 division in race 4, Ella V Fella got pushed to the outside, but was still installed as the 7-5 favorite with Kevin Switzer Jr. driving.  With victories in all three of his seasonal starts, the son of Artistic Fella was bred by Marc Tardif, who also owns and trains. 

Looking to upset the apple cart will be Wes’s Challenge (3-1, Walter Case Jr.).  Another Tardif disciple, this is the colt’s first inside post position since Labor Day, so look for him to fire out of there swiftly.

Friday’s (June 21) regular card (post time 3:15 pm) carries 13 races with all of the standard and exotic betting options, including our popular 50-cent Pick-5 (races 3-7) with a low 16-percent take out.

Saturday (June 22) brings the Learn & Earn 2-year-old races back with four non-wagering events starting at 1:30 pm.  The regular card begins promptly at 3:15 pm with a 12-race program of full fields, including the featured $6,000 top pace in race 11.

A single $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) rings the bell for the opener on Saturday.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

Attention Horsemen: The draw for FRIDAY’s (June 21) Learn & Earn baby races is TUESDAY (June 18). Box closes at 10 am.

June 16, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – 86-year-old owner-trainer-driver Bob Nadeau had been winless in seven starts this season.  That all changed on Saturday (June 15) at Cumberland, when the youthful octogenarian steered his own N Expense to victory in a $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club.

A concrete salesman by trade, the affable and hard-working part-time horseman has never let age get in the way of his passion for racing.

“I have been doing forty chin ups every day, ever since I was on the football team in high school,” noted Nadeau.  “Not only has this helped keep me fit, but has also been useful in the bike when these horses start to get a little grabby.”

In Saturday’s victory, Nadeau found himself splitting horses with his 2-hole position and left alertly along with the pylon-protecting I’ll Call You Later (Derek Howes) and Goin Manstyle (Hunter Lofthus) who was forcing the quick opening pace on the outside.

However, once around the turn the pacesetting I’ll Call You Later dramatically downgraded the tempo, resulting in a pedestrian 29 second opening panel.  With the field stacked up tightly around the far turn, Nadeau pops the pocket going into a 1:01 even softer second quarter.

With the upbeat rhythm heading into the backstretch for the final time, N Expense looked I’ll Call You Later right in the eye, and then went right on by.  After a 1:29.4 third section, Nadeau kept right on rolling down to the wire by an open five lengths, scoring in 2:01.1.  It was the second seasonal victory for the Nova Scotia-bred 13-year-old son of N Xample, who paid $10.60 for the triumph.

Owned, trained and driven to victory by Bob Nadeau, it was the reinsman’s first visit to the winners circle since December of last year when his gray stable star Putnam’s Storm won the $7,000 Frosty Final.  Nadeau has been driving horses since 1977 and has quietly amassed 165 victories and earned $261,508.

Always modest, Nadeau stated, “I never made a lot of money driving horses, but I have always had a lot of fun.  And you can’t put a price on that!”

In other news, former track record holder Rocksapatriot driven by Dave Ingraham sat a perfect 2-hole trip to upset pacesetting favorite Instant Replay (Walter Case Jr.) to win the $6,000 feature in 1:57.2.  They paid $12.80 to win for owner-trainer Kelly Case.

Former Maine sire stakes champion Call Me Maverick returned to his home track to take a $5,500 conditioned pace in a swift 1:55.4.  Paying $2.40 to win, Mike Stevenson drove for trainer Allison Hynes.  The summa cum laude graduate of the Gordon Corey Institute of Equine Erudition remains the homebred property of Upland Farm.

Stephen LaCasse took the other $5,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event, picking up his first win of the year with Nets Of Passion in 1:58.4.  They paid $3.80 and were the favorites from the pylon position.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The Maine Sire Stakes opened the card with two $16,196 divisions of 3-year-old filly pacers, with Push Your Luck (Walter Case Jr.) scoring in 2:01.2 for owner-trainer-breeder Marc Tardif.  The daughter of Thirty Two Red paid $6.60 to win.  Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished second; favorite My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Tardif) was third.

In the second $16,196 division heavy favorite Gowestyounggrace took the overland route and wore down her challengers to score in 1:58.1.  Driven by Dave Ingraham for trainer and co-owner Fred Ward with partner Sharon Ward, the daughter of Western Maverick paid a paltry $2.20.  Pacesetter Who’s Perfect (Campbell-Grondin) was second; Ghost Of You (Switzer-Tardif) was third.

Racing resumes Friday (June 21) which includes several divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 15, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The 12-race card at Cumberland on Friday (June 14) carried three features worth $4,800 each, with each race resulting in a new seasonal mark for each of the three victors.

In the first of two $4,800 trots, favorite Power Mitt had everything his own way and cruised somewhat effortlessly to 6-3/4 length wire-to-wire romp with Kevin Switzer Jr. along for the ride in 1:58.1.  It was a new seasonal mark for the 5-year-old son of Explosive Matter, who is trained by Bob Marston for owner Dana Goding.  Paying just $2.60, it was Power Mitt’s third win of the year.

Mister Muscle (Nick Graffam) finished second; Thruway (Walter Case Jr.) was third.

The middle half of the $4,800 tri-feature saw Katelyn’s Angel dominate a group of seasoned pacing mares to score in a season-equaling best 1:56.2.  Driven by Bruce Ranger for trainer Benson Merrill and owner-breeder Leighton Property, the 4-year-old Maine-bred daughter of Western Maverick controlled the tempo and paid $5.60 to win by a scant 1-1/4 lengths.

Martaritaontherocks (Drew Campbell) finished second; Rojas Blue Chip (Mike Stevenson) was third.

In the third event, trotting favorite C You Again DK (Bruce Ranger) sat in the two-hole until they could see daylight past the three-quarter pole and sprung out to take command around the final turn and score by a length in 1:59.4.  Trained by Benson Merrill for owner Issac Barajas, the Danish-bred 10-year-old son of The Liquidator paid $3.80 to win for the first time this season.

To My Credit (Case) finished second; Prescott (Andy Harrington) was third.

Because everyone loves a gray horse and good story with a big payoff, Delightful Virgin swooped the field going from last to first to win a $4,400 fillies and mares conditioned pace.  The 6-year-old gray mare by Always A Virgin took matters into her own hands when the pace stalled and the duo went three-wide down the backside to score in 1:58.1 for driver ‘Double Digit’ Dave Ingraham and owner-trainer Kelly Case.  Her first win in several months, the mare paid $16.20 to win for the 15^th time in her career.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. enjoyed three wins on the program, with Dan Deslandes and Bruce Ranger each picking up a pair.  Trainers Bob Marston and Benson Merrill both grabbed two wins on the card.

The Maine Sire Stakes returns on Saturday (June 15) when Cumberland Raceway will host two $16,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old filly pacers, plus a $6,000 top pace, and two $5,000 divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club on the 11-race card.   There is a carryover in the Pick-5, races 3 through 7.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 14, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – A sure sign of summer is the return of the young, Maine bred Standardbreds to the racetrack.  The weekend kicks off with four ‘Learn and Earn’ 2-year-old Baby Races on Friday (June 14), before the regular card at 1:45 pm.  Then, the Maine Sire Stakes convenes on Saturday (June 15) when Cumberland Raceway will host two $16,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old filly pacers. 

Friday’s (June 14) regular card (post time 3:15 pm) carries 11 races with all of the standard and exotic betting options, including our popular 50-cent Pick-5 (races 3-7) with a low 16-percent take out.

The co-featured $4,800 trots in races 3 and 8 contain several interesting entrants who are moving up after a win, or conversely, some who are looking for a softer landing spot.  In any case, the combinations will give punters plenty of options with the full fields and competitive pairings.

Looking ahead to Saturday (June 15) the triumphant return of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes witnesses a couple of the top three finishers in last season’s $51,023 freshmen filly final returning to the action.

In the first $16,196 stake race My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.) has been pegged as the 9-5 second choice from post 6.  Trained by Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick finished third in last year’s final, but will have to contend with Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) from post 2.  Trained by Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Thirty Two Red is listed as the 7-5 favorite.

Last year’s champion Gowestyounggrace highlights the second division.  To be driven by Dave Ingraham for trainer Fred Ward Jr., the daughter of Western Maverick has been installed as the 6-5 early morning line favorite from post 4.  Ghost Of You (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) scores outside of the favorite for trainer Marc Tardif, and the Deuce Seelster filly already has a 2:00.3 win this season.

In other action, Instant Replay looks for a repeat performance from his victory last week, scoring from post 2 in the $6,000 featured (race 7) overnight event.  Regular pilot Walter Case Jr. returns for trainer George ‘Triple Sticks’ Fenno III.

Two $5,000 divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) go postward as races 5 and 8, with many of the usual suspects looking for bragging rights among the tight knit horsemen’s community.  Top point earner Hunter “Hot Lead” Lofthus will be looking for his fifth victory in a row as he has two mounts on the card.  As always, the MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 9, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – With his popularity rising with each and every start, George Fenno III’s Instant Replay returned to his winning ways on Saturday (June 8) and captured the $6,000 featured pace at Cumberland Raceway. 

While taking a new 1:55.1 lifetime mark in the redemptive victory, the disabled veteran’s stable star has been a beacon of hope for the guy known around the backstretch as ‘Triple Sticks.’

“He really has shown us that anything is possible with hard work and dedication,” noted the emotionally moved 66-year-old former military policeman.  “When [Walter Case Jr.] tipped him down the backside his rapid acceleration impressed us all.  My second trainer Alan Nelson had him ready to roll.”

And roll he did as the horse had to overcome a backstretch traffic jam to get clear and challenge for the lead.  At the outset it looked like the horse was going to get the down east shuffle, but as the race unfolded, it served to his advantage.

Bet On Joe (Bruce Ranger) was the first to leave from his inherited pylon position, which he protected with all the speed he could muster.  Second choice Runrunjimmydunn N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) left hard to challenge but was rebuffed by the inside pacesetter and backed himself down into the two hole.  Lexus Witha View A (Nick Graffam) leaving from post four was strung out parked with no seats available into a 27.3 opening quarter.

With Bet On Joe having things his own way and Lexus Witha View A stuck first over into a 55.4 half, Case moved Instant Replay into the outer flow and waited patiently for his perfect time to pounce.  Just past the aft paddock drawgate Fenno’s ‘Replay’ was given his cue and responded admirably with a three-wide brush that effectively put all the would-be spoilers into his rear view mirror.  Back two lengths at the 1:25 third panel, Instant Replay swooped the field and drew off by four to score in 1:55.1. 

Owned and trained by George Fenno III, the 4-year-old son of Lazarus N paid $4.80 to win.  Runrunjimmydunn N finished second; Bet On Joe was third.

Elated with the horse’s third win in his fourth seasonal start in the Pine Tree State, Fenno stated, “We will give ‘Replay’ a well-deserved week off and find a race for him in Maine the following week.  Our goal is to point him toward the $25,000 Fred Nichols Memorial on July 7 at Bangor.”

In Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) action, the usual suspects found their way back to the Blue Seal winners circle once again this week.  With his fourth driving victory in a row, Hunter ‘Hot Lead’ Lofthus grabbed the first event with the Lisa Watson-trained Jo Pa’s Sweet Lou.  The 8-year-old son of Sweet Lou won the $5,000 first division in convincing fashion, scoring in 1:58.3 by 5-1/4 lengths, and paying $8.80 to win.

The second MADC $5,000 split was captured by favorite Maddy N Maggie and driver Mike Girouard.  Trained by Kate Gerow, the 5-year-old daughter of Sunshine Beach paid $5.20 to win in 2:00.4.  The MADC is sponsored every week by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Bruce Ranger skillfully piloted Dylans Future to a tote board smashing eight-hole triumph, not only giving the horse a 1:57.1 new lifetime mark, but paying $48.80 in the process.  Owned and trained by Scott Farley, the 6-year-old son of Stonebridge Terror rocketed to the lead from his outermost position and led every step of the way thereafter.  It was the horse’s 13^th lifetime victory.

In professionally-driven events, only three of Saturday’s races were bagged by drivers not named Kevin Switzer Jr.  The reigning leading reinsman at Cumberland won a fistful of five races on the afternoon card, and increased his seasonal total to 42 victories, sporting an impressive .390 UDRS.  Rounding out the top five aviators are: Dan Deslandes (23), Bruce Ranger (20), Walter Case Jr. (18) and Drew Campbell (16).

Jeff Deslandes is the meet’s leading trainer with 22 wins, followed by Bob Marston (12) and Larry Dancer (11).

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 8, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Cain MacKenzie’s Martaritaondarocks paced the fastest mile of the Friday (June 7) program, taking her $4,400 fillies and mares conditioned pace in 1:57 flat.

Driven by Drew Campbell, the consistent 5-year-old daughter of Pet Rock was ducked into the four hole in the first turn, while 3-5 favorite Pickmepickme (Walter Case Jr.) marched on to take command.

With a soft 29.1 opening panel, Campbell pulled his charge out at the 3/8’s pole and was roughing it up first over into a 59 second half.  As the rest of the pylon sitters gapped off the leader, Campbell was able to duck Martaritaondarocks into the two hole at the 5/8’s marker.

As Duck N Roll (Nick Graffam) was rolling on the outside, Martaritaondarocks was sitting tightly on the helmet of the leader through the 1:27.1 third stanza.  As the outer flow diminished, Martaritaondarocks found daylight and used a slingshot move off the turn to challenge Pickmepickme at the head of the stretch.

Gaining ground with every stride, the 8-5 second choice rock and rolled to the wire to grab the swiftest mile of the day by 2-1/4 lengths.  Owned and trained by Cain MacKenzie, it was the mare’s third win in her last five starts.  She paid $5.20 to win.

Pickmepickme finished second; Duck N Roll was third.

The co-featured $5,500 trot was captured by Luvcrunchess in 1:58.4, picking up her first win of the season.  Driven by Walter Case Jr. for trainer Ryan Hall and owner P T Stable, the 8-year-old daughter of Dontyouforgetit paid $12.00 to win gate-to-wire.

Favorite Little Macabee (Drew Campbell) finished second; Power Mitt (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

In other events, former Maine Sire Stakes champion South St Dottie picked up her second win of the season for Team Graffam, scoring in 1:58.1.  A wire-to-wire effort, the 4-year-old mare paid a surprising $24.40 prize.

Team Athearn grabbed another score with track record holder Dynamical Tad who posted a 2:02 time to win the $4,400 conditioned trot.  It was his second win in three weeks, having scored on May 17 and set a 2:01 Cumberland benchmark for 4-year-old stallions.  He paid $10.60 to win.  Owned by Barbara Dresser, he is trained by Gretchen Athearn and was driven to victory by Mark Athearn.

While the 10-race card of live harness racing begins at 3:15 pm, First Tracks Cumberland will also offer simulcasting from Saratoga Race Course on Saturday (June 8) for the $2,000,000 Belmont Stakes, doors open at 10:45 am. 

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout upcoming Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/