May 30, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – While George Fenno III, aka ‘Triple Sticks’ recognizes that with success comes some added attention, he is quick to point out that the horse does all the work.
“I’m just along for the ride,” Fenno stated emphatically after his horse Instant Replay had just won his last two starts. “He does all the work. I just point him in the right direction.”
Drawing post 3 in the $6,000 top pacing event on Saturday (June 1) at Cumberland Raceway, the horse was listed at 5-1 by the TrackMaster morning line odds. Considering that he won his last two starts with two different drivers, one could opine that he would be the favorite, but he has drawn in with some tougher company.
The 3-1 favorite is Rocksapatriot (post 2), a former Cumberland track record holder and veteran pacer with just shy of a quarter million in earnings. Trained by Kelly Case, he gets the services of Dave Ingraham, the driver who piloted Instant Replay to victory last week.
Other contenders are Keystone Phoenix (Walter Case Jr.) and Lexus Witha View A (Kevin Switzer Jr.).
But that doesn’t discourage Fenno who puts his horse’s needs at the top of his to-do list every week.
In between starts the horse jogs, grazes in the lush New England pasture, and sometimes gets a blow-out mile. This week he got some new shoes, courtesy of blacksmith Joey Mosher. All the while Fenno doesn’t mind dreaming of a rerun of the horse’s last two episodes.
“Replay’s wins have inspired my girlfriend, Marianne Audley, to fly up here from Florida to catch his next start. And even though I keep getting the ‘white pants shuffle,’ the horse is in good hands this week with Mike Stevenson.”
Instant Replay, a 4-year-old son of Lazarus N that is currently undefeated this season, ‘always has his ears up,’ according to Fenno. Unraced at 2, and with just 22 lifetime starts and 8 wins, not even his owner-trainer knows where his progress will lead.
“I’ve never seen him as sharp as he is today”, noted Fenno. “We just hope that his spirit remains high and that he continues to bring us such joy.”
Speaking of joy, several prominent reinsmen will be noticeably absent from the action on Saturday when Mr. and Mrs. Nick Graffam celebrate their nuptials. Everyone in the close-knit Maine harness racing community wishes them decades of good health and happiness.
Racing starts Friday (May 31) with an 11-race card, featuring the $5,500 top trot in the opener. The live action continues on Saturday (June 1).
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. Post time is always 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.
For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/
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