August 8, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – A coalition of Maine harness racing fairs, referred to as Great Pine Racing, will usher in a new era with the initial season of interstate broadcast of their racing product.
Skowhegan, Windsor, Farmington, Cumberland, and Fryeburg Fairs will all be available for viewing and wagering on most national ADW’s and brick and mortar locations.
In addition, industry leaders Roberts Communications has been contracted for broadcast and streaming services while International Sound will provide the high-definition (HD) broadcast for the coalition. United Tote will be the tote provider.
Through all of this, First Tracks Cumberland will act as interstate agent for the above listed fairs, and CHRIMS will provide settlements via First Tracks.
The action kicks off this Sunday (Aug. 11) at 1 pm at the Skowhegan State Fair. Post positions have been drawn for the opening program’s 10-race card of full fields that kicks off the 206th year at Skowhegan, which is known as the nation’s oldest continuously running agricultural fair, since 1818.
August 4, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Marc and Peggy Tardif’s Maine-bred colt Cheatin Fate refuted his dire diagnosis, brushed off the grim reaper, and went on to win his first Maine Sire Stakes on Saturday (Aug. 3) at Cumberland Raceway.
While many of the sport’s harness racing fans were anxiously anticipating the start of the Hambletonian at the Meadowlands, Cheatin Fate quietly went about his business and took home his first pari-mutuel victory. Proving to his naysayers that this colt had much more life in him than some gave him credit for, the son of Thirty Two Red was more or less cast aside by an academic veterinarian when he was afflicted with a bad case of colic.
Raised in Bell, Florida at the Tardif’s farm on the quiet, sandy back roads of Gilcrest Training Center, the colt was in the early stages of breaking and training when he got sick in November of last year.
“Our local vet came to the barn and suggested we take him to the University of Florida Veterinary Hospital in Gainesville,” Marc Tardif recalled. “So we loaded him up and dropped him off around 1 am the next morning.”
A day later the hospital called and said that the horse had improved dramatically and was ready to come home and could be treated off site.
“Two hours later they called back and said he had taken a turn for the worse,” Tardif continued. “They said we had to either approve emergency surgery, or euthanize, immediately.”
Neither Marc nor Peggy Tardif agreed with that diagnosis and went back to the hospital and picked up the colt.
“He was never experiencing extreme pain, it simply looked like an average case of colic,” noted Peggy Tardif. “We just didn’t understand why they would recommend such a dramatic course of action. So we decided to just bring him home and work on him with our local vet.”
Following some fluids and medicinal treatment while back in Bell (FL), the horse returned to normal in a few days, and has been fine ever since. Half a year later the colt made his first start in a Learn and Earn baby race at Cumberland.
During July he made two starts in the Maine Sire Stakes with a second and fourth place finish. On Hambletonian Day Cheatin Fate lived up to his name and won his $16,161 division for freshmen pacing colts in 2:02.4.
Leaving from pylon position Cheatin Fate got away third and then had to be checked by regular driver Andy Harrington when stable mate Just Aftermidnight (9-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) made a break right in front of him while heading to the quarter pole in 30.1.
While Cheatin Fate was regaining his ground in the two-hole, I’m Not Maverick (13-1, John Beckwith) arrived first over into a 1:02.2 softer half. Following that live cover was the headstrong Jax Attack (6-5, Walter Case Jr.) who had since recovered from his earlier rambunctiousness.
With the outer flow fading into that faster 1:32 third panel, Cheatin Fate was poised to pounce in the pocket behind the pacesetting This Dudes Perfect (11-1, Heath Campbell). Around the final turn Harrington tipped his charge and rolled off the turn and started to bear down on the leader. Gaining ground with every stride the once discounted equine prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths.
Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, it was the colt’s first lifetime victory and fastest mile here-to-date. He was bred in Maine by Kristina and Gary Hall and paid $5.00 to win.
This Dudes Perfect finished second; Jax Attack was third.
In the second $16,161 division it was a Tardif Trifecta as the 1-9 favorite Massive Speed utilized a perfect pocket trip to grab his fourth career victory in a new lifetime best 2:00.3. Undefeated thus far this season, the son of Dude’s The Man is trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property. He paid $2.20 to win and was bred by Laurie Harding.
Tardif stable mates completed the trifecta ticket with Dawn Two Dark (Harrington) and Ella V Dude (Switzer) caught in an official dead heat photo for second.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues at Topsham with a one day push due to rain on Sunday. The 3-year-old filly pacers were originally scheduled for Monday (Aug. 5) and the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers slated for Tuesday (Aug. 6). Those divisions are reportedly set to race on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 4, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – On Cumberland Raceway’s richest day of the summer meet Ron Cushing’s Ever Hoping A set a track record in the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational on Saturday (Aug. 3), which was also the loftiest purse of the year at the iconic Southern Maine oval.
Scoring from post four, driver and co-owner Ron Cushing let several of the anxious speedsters blast out to the front. First to the point was 16-1 longshot Skyway Victor and Drew Campbell. Around the turn Hespoisedtopounce (Andy Harrington) jumped into the two-hole in front of 4-5 wagering favorite Heinikin Bythebay and leading reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr.
Switzer wasted no time down the backstretch before moving to the rim and ultimately taking command into a swift 27 second opening panel. As the field of top pacers moved toward the half, Ever Hoping A flushed the cover of The Wild Card (5-2, Nick Graffam) as the tightly bunched group moved toward the softer 56.3 half mile marker.
Pacing down the backstretch for the final time Graffam urged The Wild Card while Switzer kept Heinikin Bythebay rolling on the lead. With time running out Cushing pulled Ever Hoping A three-wide on the backside into a fast 1:24.3 third stanza as the rest of the talented group is stacked up behind him.
With the slingshot momentum in his favor Cushing urged his horse through the lane to prevail by half a length in 1:53.4, resulting in a track record for an aged pacing gelding and equaled the all-age track record at Cumberland.
Driven and co-owned by Ron Cushing with partners Stephen Downey, Ronald ‘Steve’ Ralph and Romanelli Racing, the 6-year-old Australian-bred son of Always B Miki picked up his 17th lifetime victory. He paid $10.80 to win for listed trainer Carlos Rodriguez.
Heinikin Bythebay finished second; Skyway Victor was third.
In other signature events, trainer Alison Hynes sent the Walter Case Jr.-driven Lifes A Puzzle out to a 1:55 triumph in the $12,500 Frank M. Dubeuil Jr. Memorial.
At the start an early tussle between JK Objection (Heath Campbell) and the other Alison Hynes-trained entrant and 7-5 favorite Call Me Maverick (John Beckwith) resulted in a blistering 26.4 opening panel.
With his stable mate cutting the fractions Case flushed the cover of Rocksapatriot (Dave Ingraham) while heading into the 56.2 half.
While gapping out his cover going down the backstretch Walter Case Jr. was forced three wide around the second-over Bet On Joe (Switzer), past the 1:25 third quarter pole, and through the final turn to swoop the leaders and triumph by a tight length.
Owned by Richard Humphrey with special recognition to the Gordon Corey Institute of Equine Erudition, the 4-year-old son of Lazarus N picked up his 9th lifetime win. Scoring from post seven, he paid $13.80 to win.
The victory marked the triumphant return of Walter Case Jr. who was sidelined for the last two weeks by a racing mishap. Proclaimed as our local ‘Rocky Balboa’ by track announcer Scott Ehrlich, the 63-year-old reinsman had two wins on the card and finished third in the seasonal driver’s standings behind leader Kevin Switzer Jr. (67) and Drew Campbell (42) who overtook second place with five wins on the final day’s program.
Campbell’s five victories included: Luke McGook (1:54.3, $4.00), Rose Run Slider (1:57.1, $14.80), Silk Road Smash (1:55.2, $3.80), Little Macabee (1:59.1, $45.20) winning the $12,500 Winners Over Trot, and the finale with Polyester (1:56.3, $6.60).
Trainer Marc Tardif, whose powerful Maine Sire Stakes stable concentrates on young horses, finished the meet in first place with 27 victories, with his three afternoon’s victories vaulting him in front of Bob Marston who finished second in the standings with 25 wins. Early leader Jeff Deslandes was third with 24 trips to the winners circle.
Track record holder Ry’s Red Rocket and Bruce Ranger took the $12,500 Fillies and Mares Winners Over Pace in 1:55.2. Owned and trained by Don Richards, the 7-year-old daughter of Sunshine Beach was bred by Linwood Higgins and picked up her 28th career victory, paying $3.40 to win.
Former national amateur driving champion Todd ‘Too Tough’ Whitney who finished third in the Hambletonian Amateur Drivers Trot at the Meadowlands on Friday night (Aug. 2) was back in Maine the next day to compete in the $8,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) final. He went wire-to-wire with Vel Miss Taylor from post three to score by 6-3/4 lengths in 1:59. Trained by Chris Lefebvre for owner Mo Coo Inc., the 4-year-old daughter of Ponder grabbed her 13th lifetime win. They paid $11.60 to win.
MADC points leader Hunter Lofthus finished second with his own Forrest Blu; Jonathan Bresnahan was third with Fly Away BB. The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
Harness racing action resumes during the annual Cumberland Fair for a week of live action beginning September 22 and continuing through Sept. 29. The track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and races through December 22 and will include the popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies.
For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/
August 3, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Several of the six fillies in the $16,171 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies tried valiantly, but none could reel in wire-to-wire winner Chasing Dudes on Friday (Aug. 2) at Cumberland Raceway.
Scoring for the second straight week, the daughter of Dude’s The Man never had an anxious moment as driver Nick Graffam set comfortable fractions of 30.1 and 1:02.4 in the opening half. 9-5 wagering favorite Glorilla (Ron Cushing) was the first to pull to the outside and challenge going past the stands to the 5/8’s marker. Thinkin Bout Life (Walter Case Jr.) was also thinking about improving her position as she was second over.
By the swifter 1:33 third panel Glorilla was at the wheel of the pacesetting Chasing Dudes, with the field stacked up behind them heading into the final turn. Graffam let out a notch through the apex and got a little breathing room from the rest of the pack.
Down the stretch Glorilla took one more shot at the leader, but to no avail. Chasing Dudes tripped the timer in 2:03.3, winning by measured length margin.
Trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam with breeder Bob Marston, it was the filly’s second win in a row from just five lifetime starts. She paid $7.60 to win.
Glorilla finished second; Audry (Steve Wilson) was third.
Nick Graffam picked up another two wins on the program, and leading reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. had a grand slam.
Saturday’s 14-race closing day card (special post time 3:25 pm) includes all of the track’s regular betting options, including 50-cent Pick-5 (races 3-7 & 9-13); 50-cent Pick-4 (races 11-14); 50-cent Pick 3 (races 12-14), all with a low 16-percent take out. The 14th race Pentafecta (High 5) has a $228.15 carryover.
There is also full card simulcasting of Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands and Whitney Stakes Day at Saratoga. Gates open at 11 am and programs from those two big tracks will be available.
The action at Cumberland starts with two $16,000-plus divisions for Maine-sired freshmen male pacers. The opener pits Jax Attack (7-5, Walter Case Jr.) against Cheatin Fate (3-1, Andrew Harrington) who both hail from the powerful Tardif Taskforce. Just Aftermidnight (3-1, Switzer) completes the stable’s troika.
The second $16,161 Maine Sire Stakes division shows Massive Speed (3-5, Case-Tardif) as the heavy favorite, with that third race named in memory of tack shop man ‘Ridgecrest’ Dan Chamberlin.
Race seven is the $12,500 Frank Dubreuil Jr. Memorial which is a winners over class of top pacers led by former Maine Sire Stakes champion Call Me Maverick (2-1, John Beckwith). Other contenders are Lifes A Puzzle (5-2, Case) and Bet On Joe (9-2, Switzer).
Race eight is the $8,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) final with runaway point leader Hunter Lofthus looking to secure his spot in the Tim Fouts Memorial Amateur Driving Championship at Delaware during Jug week. The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
In addition to the $12,500 winners over trot and several $10,000 pop up series finals, the highlight of the day may be the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, which presents some of the best pacers in the state of Maine. The early favorite is Heinikin Bythebay (9-5, Switzer) who scores from pylon position. He is followed by The Wild Card (4-1, Graffam) and So Rock N’ Roll (5-1, Bruce Ranger).
The live action resumes during the annual Cumberland Fair for a week of racing beginning September 22 and continuing through Sept. 29. The track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and races through December 22 and will include the popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies.
For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/
August 2, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – Cumberland’s closing weekend purses have reached nearly a quarter of a million dollars when the track will offer $235,500 in purses on Friday (August 2) and Saturday (Aug. 3). Led by the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace and three $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for freshmen pacers, the two-day extravaganza has 25 races for fans and bettors alike to enjoy.
The action starts of Friday (Aug. 2) at 3:15 pm with the lone $16,171 Maine-bred division of 2-year-old pacing fillies. Three frosh females lead the charge and are equally accomplished with one win apiece. The slight favorite is Leanne Marie (5-2, Mike Cushing) followed by Glorilla (3-1, Ron Cushing) and Chasing Dudes (3-1, Nick Graffam). Throw in bridesmaid Whisper Of Luck (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) and the punters will have their work cut out for them.
Nearly a dozen $5,000, $6,000 and $7,000 pop-up series finals are sprinkled throughout the card and will make for very exciting harness racing.
Friday’s 13-race card (post time 3:15 pm) includes all of the track’s regular betting options, including 50-cent Pick-5 (races 3-7); 50-cent Pick-4 (races 10-13); 50-cent Pick 3 (races 11-13), all with a low 16-percent take out.
Moving on to closing day on Saturday (Aug. 3), has a special 3:25 pm post time with full card simulcasting of Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands and Whitney Stakes Day at Saratoga. Gates open at 11 am and programs from those two big tracks will be available.
At Cumberland Raceway Saturday’s 14-race card starts with two $16,000-plus divisions for Maine-sired freshmen male pacers. The opener pits Jax Attack (7-5, Walter Case Jr.) against Cheatin Fate (3-1, Andrew Harrington) who both hail from the powerful Tardif Taskforce. Just Aftermidnight (3-1, Switzer) completes the stable’s troika.
The second $16,161 Maine Sire Stakes division shows Massive Speed (3-5, Case-Tardif) as the heavy favorite, with that third race named in memory of tack shop man ‘Ridgecrest’ Dan Chamberlin.
Race seven is the $12,500 Frank Dubreuil Jr. Memorial which is a winners over class of top pacers led by former Maine Sire Stakes champion Call Me Maverick (2-1, John Beckwith). Other contenders are Lifes A Puzzle (5-2, Case) and Bet On Joe (9-2, Switzer).
Race eight is the $8,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) final with runaway point leader Hunter Lofthus looking to secure his spot in the Tim Fouts Memorial Amateur Driving Championship at Delaware during Jug week. The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
In addition to the $12,500 winners over trot and several $10,000 pop up series finals, the highlight of the day may be the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, which presents some of the best pacers in the state of Maine. The early favorite is Heinikin Bythebay (9-5, Switzer) who scores from pylon position. He is followed by The Wild Card (4-1, Graffam) and So Rock N’ Roll (5-1, Bruce Ranger).
The live action resumes during the annual Cumberland Fair for a week of racing beginning September 22 and continuing through Sept. 29. The track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and races through December 22 and will include the popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies.
For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/
