April 9, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Dan Deslandes took five of the eight qualifying races that went postward at First Tracks Cumberland (Maine) on Tuesday (April 9), with four of the victories coming from his dad’s stable, Jeff Deslandes. 

Sunny skies and warm temperatures in the 50’s enhanced the afternoon action, with Deslandes also taking the swiftest event of the day with local star The Bird Dance N in 1:57.1, who is trained by Karl Butterfield.

Of the ten Deslandes disciples that raced, the four winners were trotter Elegant Dulupin FR (2:02.3) and pacers Next Big Thing (2:00.2), Grand Galop Semalu (1:59.3), and Miss U Big Mike (1:59.2).  The Deslandes clan also had four horses finish second for an overall 10-4-4-0 summary.

Maine Sire Stakes champion Luke McGook made his 4-year-old debut in race five, finishing second in the same race as fan-favorite grey gelding Putnam’s Storm and his 86-year-old trainer-driver-owner Bob Nadeau. 

Opening weekend’s double draw for Saturday & Sunday (April 13 & 14), has the box closing at a special time of 1 pm (EDT) on Wednesday (April 10).  Special classes with higher purses have been written to reward horses who participated in the Winter Late Closing Series at Cumberland. Review the condition sheet on the USTA’s online entry system for more details.

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 is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.