Deslandes Dominates Cumberland Qualifiers

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.

CUMBERLAND QUALIFIERS SET FOR TUESDAY

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – Eight qualifying races are carded and ready to roll at First Tracks Cumberland (Maine) on Tuesday (April 9).  Sixty horses filled the entry box for tomorrow’s 11:30 am post time, which will be broadcast in its totality on the Racetrack Television Network.

With the upcoming Spring meet at Cumberland taking shape, a host of 3-year-olds all the way up to 15-year-old Putnam’s Storm are ready to take on the teletimer and their peers in the first harness racing action in the state of Maine for 2024.

The continued forecast is for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s through the afternoon, which has led to a swift melting of the lofty snowfall totals that wreaked havoc on the area last weekend.

The fan-favorite grey gelding Putnam’s Storm, who enters the encore of his career, will be driven by his 86-year-old owner/trainer Bob Nadeau in race five.  Just inside him is Maine Sire Stakes champion Luke McGook who is now four and continues to race for his Leighton Property ownership. 

Race Secretary Rob Pennington orchestrated a very competitive qualifying card, in hopes of attracting much of this talent to the first draw for opening weekend.  A double draw shall be conducted for Saturday & Sunday (April 13 & 14), with the box closing at a special time of 1 pm (EDT) on Wednesday (April 10).  The overnight condition sheet for the first week of racing is now available on the USTA’s online entry system.

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.

QUALIFYING RACE PAGESclick HERE

UPDATE: CUMBERLAND QUAL. TUESDAY; RACING SAT-SUN

Friday, April 5, 2024  —  by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

Cumberland, ME — First Tracks Cumberland management has announced that due to the Nor’easter that blanketed the area with a foot of snow and left several hundred thousand Maine residents without power, the opening qualifiers have been postponed until Tuesday (April 9).  The box will remain open until 10 am Monday (April 8).  Post time will be 11:30 am, and will be aired live on the Racetrack Television Network (RTN).

Due to the nature of the storm cleanup, and considering the new qualifying race date, the opening weekend of the Spring-Summer meet will now begin a day later on Saturday (April 13).  This opening day card will be immediately followed by a second day of racing on Sunday (April 14), which is a slight departure from the regular Friday-Saturday schedule.  Post time remains 3:15 pm.

Horsemen should note that there will be a double draw on Wednesday (April 10) for both racing dates.

As always, timely updates can be found on the tracks website: firsttrackscumberland.com and on social media.