April 30, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – With horse racing’s Kentucky Derby taking center stage in the national spotlight this weekend, Cumberland Raceway will offer both live harness racing on Friday (May 3) and Saturday (May 4), along with coverage of two of the biggest days on the Thoroughbred Triple Crown calendar.
Fans and bettors can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Saturday’s 150th Run for the Roses. Doors open at 12 noon for the full-card simulcast of horse racing’s biggest day, with a host of food and beverage options available all day at the iconic Cumberland Fairgrounds.
First Tracks’ full card of live harness racing starts at 3:15 pm with ten races slated for Saturday (May 4, Kentucky Derby Day). Both Harness and Thoroughbred programs will be available.
In addition, fans and patrons may also watch and wager on Friday’s Kentucky Oaks card from Churchill Downs, while the harness racing action opens the horse-centric weekend on Friday (May 3). Post time is 3:15 pm.
First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early 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/
April 28, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Former National Amateur Driver of the Year Todd Whitney showed he still has ‘what it takes’ when he guided All It Takes to a wire-to-wire victory in Saturday’s (April 27) $5,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) race at Cumberland, Maine.
Scoring from post six, the veteran reinsman had to hustle his charge from the starting gate to make the lead going into the 29 opening panel. Held at bay until that marker by 1-5 favorite Furious Beach (Michael Girouard), the pair were on top and managed to catch a quick breather while heading to the 59.1 half, with the favorite now glued to his helmet.
Past the 1:28.3 third stanza Riproy (Benson Merrill) pulled the three hole and was all alone first over as the field rolled through the final turn following Whitney and the 7-1 longshot All It Takes.
As they straightened out for the stretch drive the favorite Furious Beach ducked along the pylons and made a frantic bid to pass the leader. With every stride the pair exchanges glances, but to no avail as the leader, All It Takes showed that he still had ‘all it took’ to hold on and score by half a length in 1:59.
Trained by David Sawyer and owned by Wil Dubois, the 10-year-old son of Mach Three picked up the 33rd win of his career and his first of the season. He paid $16.00 to win. Riproy finished third.
For Todd Whitney, it was his first drive of the season, and he made it a winning effort. Participating in harness racing since 1998, this was the 179th victory of his career. Whitney earned USHWA’s National Amateur Driving Champion title in 2009.
As always, the MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
The $6,000 featured pacing race of the day was captured by Ranaldi (Drew Campbell) in 1:57.3. Trained by Cain MacKenzie for owner Common Kings Stable, the 5-year-old son of Western Maverick paid $25.20 to win. Bet On Joe (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Tim McMiki (Mike Stevenson) was third.
The swiftest race of the day was seized by 2023 Maine Sire Stakes star So Rock N’ Roll who scored by nine lengths in 1:56.3. Driven by Andy Harrington for trainer Larry Dancer, the 4-year-old son of Western Maverick is owned and was bred by the Leighton’s, paying $4.40 for his second win of the season.
Driver Dan Deslandes had another driving double on the program. Jeff Deslandes and Larry Dancer picked each up two training wins.
Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland on Friday (May 3) and Saturday (May 4, Kentucky Derby Day) with post time slated for 3:15 pm each day.
In addition, the public can watch and wager on the 150th renewal of the Run for the Roses from Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. The highly anticipated Kentucky Derby is this Saturday (May 4), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. The track’s new and improved snack bar is operating with a great selection of food and drink options.
First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early 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/
April 27, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland(Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. enjoyed a grand slam at Cumberland on Friday (April 26), which included a pocket-trip score with Armagedon Seelster in the $6,000 featured trot.
When the wings folded 2-1 slight second choice J S Peyton (Dan Deslandes) dashed right out for the lead from post 2, with Switzer Jr. pushing Armagedon Seelster swiftly out into the center of the track from post 6 to muscle his way into the 2-hole.
Slender favorite Motto (Bruce Ranger) was unable to get into gear and trailed the field through the 28.2 opening panel. Heading to the 58.3 half, the only horse in the outer flow was Elegant Dulupin FR (Dave Ingraham), who had a lot of ground to make up from sixth.
As the field approached the 1:27.4 third stanza, Armagedon Seelster had tipped off the helmet of J S Peyton and was poised to pounce. Around the final turn Switzer’s charge looked the leader right in the eye, and then went right on by as the pair trotted home to victory by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:58.1.
Owned by P T Stable (Patrick Tortorello) and trained by Candace Brandstatter, it was the 22nd career victory for the 9-year-old son of Muscle Mass. Paying $9.80 for his third win of the season, the score brought Armagedon Seelster’s lifetime earnings up to $331,305.
Knight Angel (Aaron Hall) got up for second; J S Peyton hung on for third.
Switzer Jr. nearly captured a natural grand slam, three of which being trotting races. He won the fifth race with Power Mitt (1:58.3, $4.60), sixth with Pretty Gorgeous (1:58.1, $9.40), the aforementioned seventh with Armagedon Seelster, and came back to grab the ninth with Caulfield (2:02.2., $2.40).
Drew Campbell and Dan Deslandes each enjoyed driving doubles on the program. Jeff Deslandes and Bob Marston both harnessed a pair of winners.
Racing resumes on Saturday (April 27) which has a full, twelve-race card, including the third leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club. Going postward as race 3, the 5-2 favorite is Furious Beach with owner-driver Michael Girouard leaving from post 5.
The $5,000 event is faithfully sponsored by the helpful folks at Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
The $6,000 featured pace (race 9) sees Runrunjimmydunn N as the early 9-5 favorite with Kevin Switzer Jr. aboard from post 3. Railbird PBR Street Gang (Nick Graffam) is the second choice, listed at 2-1.
Every race carries a 50 cent trifecta, and the card also carries a host of 20 cent superfectas, a 50 cent pick 4 and the final race delivers our 20 cent pentafecta (super high five) with a low 16% takeout.
Post time for both days is set for 3:15 pm.
Looking ahead to next week, the public can watch and wager on the 150th renewal of the Run for the Roses from Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. The highly anticipated Kentucky Derby is next Saturday (May 4), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. In addition, a new and improved snack bar has opened on the premises in an effort to give fans a hearty selection of food and drink options.
First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early 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/
April 25, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Conrad photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Motto, a 5-year-old gelding by Creatine, has spent most of his racing career battling the better trotters in his native Buckeye State. Unraced at 2, Motto earned $139,096 at 3, primarily in the Ohio Sire Stakes, but also in overnights from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic.
Last year at 4 he did not return to the form he had displayed 3 and earned just $18,210 in 15 starts. However, this year at five he has been a model of consistency where he had a win and four second-place finishes in his last six starts at Miami Valley. His seasonal total of $41,040 was impressive enough to attract the attention of outside interests. In late-March he was purchased by Derek Robishaw and Gayle Harris of Maine and landed in New England in the Mark Harris Stable.
For his first start in the Bay State he picked up a show finish at 15-1 for driver Bruce Ranger. Friday (April 26) he scores from post 7 in the $6,000 featured trot at Cumberland. Installed as the 3-1 early morning line second choice, with Ranger driving again, he enters the race with twice as much money earned this season than several of his colleagues.
We have to go back several years to 2022 to find the last time Motto raced on a half-mile track, which was at the famed home of the Little Brown Jug, Delaware, Ohio where he finished third in a division of the Ohio Breeders Championship to multiple stakes winner Rose Run Xtra in 1:55.
Interestingly enough, the favorite J S Peyton leaves from pylon position (5-2) with Dan Deslandes who picked that horse over stable mate and last week’s winner Elegant Dulupin FR who drew post 8.
Friday’s card carries eleven races where Saturday (April 27) has an even dozen, which includes the third leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club. Going postward as race 3, the 5-2 favorite is Furious Beach with owner-driver Michael Girouard leaving from post 5.
The $5,000 event is faithfully sponsored by the helpful folks at Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
The $6,000 featured pace (race 9) sees Runrunjimmydunn N as the early 9-5 favorite with Kevin Switzer Jr. aboard from post 3. Railbird PBR Street Gang (Nick Graffam) is the second choice, listed at 2-1.
Every race, all weekend long, has a 50 cent trifecta, and the card also carries a host of 20 cent superfectas, a 50 cent pick 4 and the final race delivers our 20 cent pentafecta (super high five) with a low 16% takeout.
Post time for both days is set for 3:15 pm.
Looking ahead to next week, the public can watch and wager on the 150th renewal of the Run for the Roses from Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. The highly anticipated Kentucky Derby is next Saturday (May 4), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. In addition, a new and improved snack bar has opened on the premises in an effort to give fans a hearty selection of food and drink options.
First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early 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/
April 21, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Up-and-coming driver Hunter Lofthus provided Polyester with a patient steer to capture the meet’s second $5,000 Maine Amateur Driving event by half the length of the stretch at Cumberland on Saturday (April 20).
When the wings folded Benson Merrill pushed the 8-5 favorite Southwind Terror out to the lead from post 3, with Led Schneppelin (Jason Bertolini) ducking in the two-hole and I’ll Call U Later (Derick Howes) settling in third.
As the field passed the quarter-mile marker in 29 seconds, the leader Southwind Terror had gained a three-length advantage on the pack. Track announcer Mike Cushing noted that ‘Benson Merrill had his hands full,’ when the duo entered the stretch going to the 59.4 half. Positions had not changed, but the group had tightened up a bit with Putnam’s Storm (Bob Nadeau) moving first over from fourth, with Polyester right on his helmet in the outer flow and revving up in fifth.
When the fray had reached the 1:30 third stanza Lofthus, who had been three-wide on the backside since the paddock drawgate, had overtaken Putnam’s Storm and then the leader Southwind Terror. By the time they hit the final turn Lofthus had the 4-year-old mare by Dude’s The Man on top by four, and looking for more.
Leaving the field in their wake, the dominant pair added separation with every stride, tripping the timer in 1:59.4 and prevailing by 16 lengths. Owned and trained by Jamie Gerard, Polyester paid $6.00 to win for the first time this season, and for the 9th time in her career. Her lifetime earnings are now $74,924.
I’ll Call U Later got up in the final strides for second, and is also trained by Jamie Gerard. CBF Bantam (David Crochere) was third. The weekly event is faithfully sponsored by the good people at Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
The $6,000 featured race of the day was captured by Second Bruiser in 1:58.2. Driven by Drew Campbell for owner-trainer Eric Bickmore, the favorite paid $3.80 to win the conditioned pace by a half-length over Drinka Beer (Andy Harrington). Lexus Witha View A (Nick Graffam) was third.
Kevin Switzer Jr. enjoyed his second hat trick in a row, winning three on the Saturday card. Drivers Drew Campbell, Nick Graffam and Dan Deslandes all picked up driving doubles.
Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland on Friday (April 26). The Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early 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/
April 20, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – French trotter Elegant Dulupin FR was parked every step of the way and resolutely prevailed over the favorite McStoned Again to take Friday’s (April 19) $6,000 featured trot at Cumberland.
Steered steadily by hot driver Dan Deslandes, the 10-year-old son of Jasmin De Flore was eased out from behind the starting car from post 2, and took position outside of the pacesetting 4-5 choice McStoned Again (Nick Graffam). Going to the 30 second first quarter, it looked like the victor was going to take a seat. But then tactics changed and the French horse did what many European trotters do, continued rolling on the outside for the duration of the race.
As the leader hit the half in 1:00.1 the aggressor was just a quarter length off the top. By the 1:30.3 third panel it was barely a nose that separated the pair. As the field turned for home it looked like McStoned Again may prevail, having outlasted the parked immigrant.
However Deslandes had other ideas as he continued to wear down the leader, and despite drifting slightly in mid-stretch, Elegant Dulupin FR made one final surge in the shadow of the wire to triumph by a neck in 2:01.1.
Owned by Lawrence Huckins and trained by Jeff Deslandes, Elegant Dulupin FR paid $5.00 to win for the 29th time in his career. The victory pushed his lifetime earnings to $386,499.
Inquiring Mind (Steve Wilson) finished third.
The swiftest race of the day went to Adriano Hanover in 1:57. Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer-owner Gerald MacKenzie Jr., the 7-year-old son of Western Ideal ran off and hid by 6-3/4 lengths in the $4,000 conditioned pace. He paid $2.20 for his 27th lifetime score, pushing his career bankroll to $334,463.
Pretty Gorgeous grabbed the $6,500 FM conditioned pace in 1:58.2, giving driver Kevin Switzer Jr. a hat trick on the card. Trained by Larry Dancer for owners John and Thelma Kiernan, the 7-year-old mare by I’m Georgeous paid $13.40 in defeating heavy 1-5 favorite Granny’s Girl by a neck in a three-way photo.
Racing resumes Saturday’s (April 20) when the upper echelon male pacers tussle in the 3rd race, with Second Bruiser (Drew Campbell, 2-1) set as the early morning line favorite from pylon position in the $6,000 event. Trained by Eric Bickmore, the 6-year-old is looking for 2-in-a-row, having defeated a softer group last week. Second choice is Art Of Endurance (Switzer Jr., 7-2) with post 4, who won 5-in-a-row at Cumberland last winter. Lexus Witha View (Nick Graffam, 9-2) rounds out the top three contenders.
The Maine Amateur Driving Club goes postward as Saturday’s race 11, with some of the series’ most popular horses and drivers competing for purses and bragging rights.
Jason Bertolini drives his trusty Led Schneppelin (7-1) from pylon position, with Southwind Terror (Benson Merrill) leaving from post 3 as the early 2-1 favorite. Just outside of him is the fan favorite Putnam’s Storm (Bob Nadeau) and then perhaps the season’s most seasoned entry, Polyester (Hunter Loftfus, post 5) who has 10 seasonal starts under his belt and is now listed at 5-2.
The $5,000 event is faithfully sponsored by the helpful folks at Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
Saturday’s Card features twelve races with post time set at 3:15 pm.
First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early 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/
April 18, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland(Stephanie Gray photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Two dozen races comprise the second full weekend of racing at Cumberland Raceway in Southern, Maine, with full and competitive fields providing horsemen and bettors alike something to cheer about.
Friday’s (April 19) card features five trotting races, with the $6,000 featured class going postward in the opener. Nick Graffam gets the call on the 6-5 favorite McStoned Again, who scores from post 5. Trained by Chris Hitchcock, the 6-year-old son of Wishing Stone earned $69,981 last year, winning 8 races locally and in his native Buckeye State.
To his left is Broadway Giant (Bruce Ranger, 3-1) who is looking to return to Cumberland’s Blue Seal Winners Circle, which he had visited on several occasions last winter. Elegant Dulupin FR, a French-bred trotter who is now harnessed by the powerful Deslandes clan, has post 2 and comes off a sharp qualifier, which was an open-length winning effort last week.
The top filly and mare pacers enter the fray in race 11, with three recent winners vying for the $6,500 purse.
Granny’s Girl (Dan Deslandes, 6-5) will look to repeat her wire-to-wire 1:59.1 effort last week. She scores from post five and is the freshest of the bunch with this being just her second seasonal start. Pretty Gorgeous (Kevin Switzer Jr., 4-1) appears to be race-ready as she makes her 13th seasonal start and shows 1:57 speed in many of her recent lines.
Looking ahead, the upper echelon male pacers tussle in Saturday’s (April 20) 3rd race, with Second Bruiser (Drew Campbell, 2-1) set as the early morning line favorite from pylon position in the $6,000 event. Trained by Eric Bickmore, the 6-year-old is looking for 2-in-a-row, having defeated a softer group last week. Second choice is Art Of Endurance (Switzer Jr., 7-2) with post 4, who won 5-in-a-row at Cumberland last winter. Lexus Witha View (Nick Graffam, 9-2) rounds out the top three contenders.
The Maine Amateur Driving Club goes postward as Saturday’s race 11, with some of the series’ most popular horses and drivers competing for purses and bragging rights.
Jason Bertolini drives his trusty Led Schneppelin (7-1) from pylon position, with Southwind Terror (Benson Merrill) leaving from post 3 as the early 2-1 favorite. Just outside of him is the fan favorite Putnam’s Storm (Bob Nadeau) and then perhaps the season’s most seasoned entry, Polyester (Hunter Loftfus, post 5) who has 10 seasonal starts under his belt and is now listed at 5-2.
The $5,000 event is faithfully sponsored by the helpful folks at Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
Saturday’s Card features twelve races with post time for both days at 3:15 pm.
First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early 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/
April 15, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – Top Maine pacer The Bird Dance N showed his heels to the field as he overpowered a strong group of top class sidesteppers to take Cumberland’s $7,000 Winners Over feature on Sunday (April 14) in 1:55.3.
The 1-9 heavy favorite was sent right to the top by red-hot driver Dan Deslandes, the position where the pair are most comfortable. From that point it was only a matter of how fast and by how many the duo would leave the field in their wake. Ultimately, the thunder from down under was rated well with splits in 27.3, 58.2 (30:4) and 1:27 with a final quarter in 28.3, scoring in hand by 2-3/4 lengths.
It was the 38th career victory for the fractious 9-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance who is trained by Karl Butterfield and owned by Jose Cerventes. With lifetime earnings of $283,083, it appears that the The Bird Dance is well on his way to another successful campaign. He paid $2.20 for the win.
Alex Having Fun (Aaron Hall) finished second; Lexus Witha View A (Nick Graffam) was third.
Karl Butterfield had four wins on the program, with the other three driven by Shawn Thayer: Ohoka Johnny N (1:57.3, $3.40); Rod’s Beach (1:57.2, $3.00); and It’s Above Me Now (1:58.4, $3.60).
The Deslandes clan followed up their big opening day with driver Dan grabbing his second grand slam in a row, three of which came from the collective stable of trainer Jeff and caretaker Kori: Miss You Big Mike (1:57, $3.80); Bo Master (1:58.1, $4.40); and Next Big Thing (1:59.3, $2.60).
The anticipated debut of the Maine Amateur Driving Club saw driver McKenzie Sowers pick right up where she left off, copping the $5,000 event with her own Premier Joy A in 1:59. Sowers took immediate command from post 4 and never looked back with the 1-5 favorite. They paid $2.40 to win. Always A Panther (Larry Dancer) finished second; Deedee Didit (Jame Gerard) was third. The race sponsored by Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
Sowers got two wins as a conditioner on the day’s program, also getting a victory with the Walter Case Jr.-driven Cinco Senorita in 1:59.1.
Horsemen are reminded to check the US Trotting’s online condition sheet for next week’s double draw which will be held Tuesday (April 16) for the Friday & Saturday (April 19 & 20) race dates. Additional information, plus live coverage and replays and is available on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/
Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland on Friday (April 19). The current meet will continue throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post continues to be scheduled for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.
April 14, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Warrawee Preferred won the $7,500 Jack Frost Preferred Trot at Cumberland on Saturday (April 13), which was his second win of the week. Driven to victory by Walter Case Jr. for trainer McKenzie Sowers, the 13-year-old son of Federal Flex had just won a $7,500 NAADA amateur event at Monticello on Wednesday.
Scoring from post 7, Case grabbed early position by ducking in the 4-hole heading into a :29.2 opening panel set by Mister Muscle (Aaron Hall). Approaching the softer 1:02.1 half, Power Mitt (Kevin Switzer Jr.) had pulled first up and Warrawee Preferred benefitted from the live cover second over.
As the field picked up momentum toward the third stanza in 1:32, Warrawee Preferred was three-wide on the outside and had just Power Mitt to contend with around the final turn and through the stretch. The pair battled down the lane but it was the 6-5 favorite Warrawee Preferred that prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths in the final strides to get his second victory in a row.
Owned by Ryan Berry, it was the 65th win of his career, pushing his lifetime bankroll to $359,736. He paid $4.40 to win. Prescott (Andy Harrington) got up to be second; Power Mitt hung on for third.
A robust crowd enjoyed food and refreshments in the grandstand and enjoyed partly sunny skies on the apron for the fourth annual opening day of the Spring-Summer meet at the iconic Southern Maine oval. Punters wagered $104,719 on the eleven race card, which was the first of over 50 race dates at the extended pari-mutuel harness track.
The Deslandes clan followed up their big qualifying day with a four-bagger on the afternoon program. Driver Dan, trainer Jeff and caretaker Kori took home all the bacon with victories by: Fomor (2:06.3, $4.40), J S Peyton (2:02, $4.20), Granny’s Girl (1:59.1, $3.00) and Grand Galop Semalu (2:01, $2.80).
Driver Mike Stevenson enjoyed a double on the card, including a $36.20 score with his own charge Rojas Blue Chip.
Racing returns for Sunday’s (April 14) card which features a Winners Over $10,000 handicap vying for $7,000 in purse money.
The Bird Dance N, fresh off an his 1:57.1 qualifier on Tuesday, has been listed as the 6-5 early choice. Driven by the red-hot Dan Deslandes (post 5) for trainer Karl Butterfield, the 9-year-old son of a Rocknroll Dance earned $68,491 last season with 10 wins in 27 starts. He already has 9 starts this season and appears to be in top form.
The second choice is Alex Having Fun (Aaron Hall, post 6), who has been freshened up by owner/trainer Kimberly Vafiades and looks to expand upon his 2023 $90,740 seasonal total.
The Maine Amateur Driving Club also makes it’s Spring debut with fan favorite Putnam’s Storm (and 86-year-old Bob Nadeau) taking on the Maine faithful in the $5,000 event sponsored by Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
Sunday’s Card features eleven races with post time slated for 3:15 pm.
Horsemen are reminded to check the US Trotting’s online condition sheet for next week’s double draw which will be held Tuesday (April 16) for the Friday & Saturday (April 19 & 20) race dates. Additional information, plus live coverage and replays and is available on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/
First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post continues to be scheduled for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.
April 12, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – When Race Secretary Rob Pennington and his assistant Andrew Topham opened the ‘virtual’ box for Cumberland’s opening weekend, they were pleased to find 160 horses had been dropped in for the double draw for Saturday and Sunday (April 13 & 14).
“With eight qualifiers on Tuesday, and the added purse incentives on the condition sheet, we anticipated full participation from the Maine horse people,” noted Topham. “And they did not disappoint, as we have carded eleven races for both harness racing dates.”
While the Spring opener has brought the Pine Tree State faithful back to Cumberland, there are a myriad of Standardbreds that show their last starts at Saratoga, Monticello, Buffalo, The Meadows, Pocono, Northfield, Freehold and the Meadowlands.
Saturday’s (April 13) card features three $7,500 divisions of horses who raced in the 2023 holiday series with nine of the day’s races showing full fields of either seven or eight horses with their noses on the Wes Brown starting gate.
The co-featured $7,500 sixth race carries a host of veteran trotters, led by the McKenzie Sowers-trained Warrawee Preferred. Coming off a win last week at the Mighty M, the 13-year-old winner of $355,986 will be driven by Walter Case, Jr. from post 7, and has been installed as the 3-1 favorite.
Looking to steal some of his thunder will be Prescott (Andy Harrington, 4-1) who has drawn post 2 and has not missed a check in his last eight starts. He earned $25,559 last season for trainer Sara Harrington and owner Gibbs Racing.
Sunday’s (April 14) card welcomes a Winners Over $10,000 handicap vying for $7,000 in purse money, with all the usual suspects looking for their piece of the pie in race 8.
The Bird Dance N, fresh off an eye-popping 1:57.1 qualifier on Tuesday, has been listed as the 6-5 early choice. Driven by Dan Deslandes (post 5) for trainer Karl Butterfield, the 9-year-old son of a Rocknroll Dance earned $68,491 last season with 10 wins in 27 starts. He already has 9 starts this season and appears to be in top form.
The second choice is Alex Having Fun (Aaron Hall, post 6), who has been freshened up by owner/trainer Kimberly Vafiades and looks to expand upon his 2023 $90,740 seasonal total.
The Maine Amateur Driving Club also makes it’s Spring debut in race 6, with fan favorite Putnam’s Storm (and 86-year-old Bob Nadeau) taking on the younger whipper-snappers in the $5,000 event sponsored by Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
Sunday’s Card features eleven races with post time for both days at 3:15 pm.
Horsemen are reminded to check the US Trotting’s online condition sheet for next week’s double draw which will be held Tuesday (April 16) for the Friday & Saturday (April 19 & 20) race dates. Additional information, plus live coverage and replays and is available on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/
First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post continues to be scheduled for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.
