May 25, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Walter Case Jr. and Drew Campbell dominated the Friday (May 24) program at Cumberland Raceway, picking up three wins apiece and taking over half of the races on the 11-race card.

‘Casey’ wasted little time throwing down the gauntlet, as the Maine-native pushed favored Warrawee Preferred right to the top in the opening trot.  From that point it was an easy ride in the park for the 13-year-old son of Federal Flex who scored handily by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:59.2.  It was a new seasonal mark and his 67th career victory, paying $4.60 to win for owner-trainer Ryan Berry.

With the track favoring speed, Case steered Oceanview Echo to a 7-3/4 length romp in 1:56.3, which was the fastest race of the day.  Owned and trained by Dana Whittemore, the 7-year-old mare paid $3.00 to win the fourth race, and established a seasonal best record after five previous attempts.

Case grabbed his third win of the day in race 7 with Your Momma, which was another wire-to-wire effort for an owner-trainer.  Eddie Fournier Jr. harnessed the 6-year-old mare that paid $3.60 while winning in 1:59.4, a new seasonal benchmark.

In race 8, Drew Campbell took matters into his own hands and utilized a first-over trip to get pay dirt with the handsome trotter Little Macabee in 1:59.  Owned by Maryann Tompkins and trained by Chad Tompkins, the 10-year-old son of Chapter Seven earned his 35th lifetime win, paying $5.40.

Campbell came right back in race 9 and scored with Valyrian Steel in 2:00.2, which gave the Tompkins’ clan a double.  Like Déjà vu all over again, the 9-year-old son Chapter Seven is owned by Maryann Tompkins and trained by Chad Tompkins and got his 8th career score.  Valyrian Steel paid $3.80 to win.

The $5,500 featured race of the day was another Drew Campbell show, giving the veteran reinsman a natural hat trick with Watchagonnadoboo in 1:57.2.  Unlike Case’s wire-to-wire efforts, Campbell came from off the pace to earn his three triumphs.  Watchagonnadoboo prevailed by two lengths, as the Eric Bickmore owned and trained 7-year-old daughter of Artspeak paid a whopping $15.80 to win.

Driver Andy Harrington picked up a pair of victories, both of whom were trained by his wife Sara Harrington.

Harness racing action resumes on Saturday (May 25) with a ten-race card where George Fenno III’s Instant Replay will attempt to get his second win in a row.  First post is 3:15 pm.

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland is proud to offer simulcasting from Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, June 8 for the 156th renewal of the Test of the Champion, the $2,000,000 Belmont Stakes.

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.  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/