September 23, 2024, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Harness racing at the 152nd annual Cumberland Fair kicked off on Sunday (Sept. 22) with former Maine Sire Stakes champion Wolverina bringing all the Graffam connections together once again to pay homage to one of their own.
The 5-year-old daughter of Cheyenne Hollywood left swiftly from post five to gain command of the field, with driver Nick Graffam coasting through fractions of 28.4 and 59.4 to the first half.
Wolverina continued to pave the way while the ‘four-in, four-out’ outer flow attempted to get closer to the lead. Into the 1:29 third panel the challengers were all stacked up on the outer rim, but to no avail, as the mare was large and in charge.
Graffam and his talented distaff kept the aggressors at bay as the pair rolled down victory lane of her home track in 1:58.4, prevailing by 1-1/4 lengths. Bred and co-owned by trainer Mike Graffam, with co-owner Bill Arnold, it was Wolverina’s 22nd lifetime victory.
A two-time Maine Sire Stakes champion at both 2- and 3-years-old, the mare now has $335,578 in lifetime earnings. She paid $4.20 to win.
In the winner’s circle, family and friends honored the late Lori Graffam, mother of driver Nick Graffam and caretaker Bethany Graffam.
Humor Me (Aaron Hall) finished second; Cash Crazy Express (Drew Campbell) was third.
Golden Tree (2:00, $3.20) and Kevin Switzer Jr. took the opener, dubbed the Living Legend Donald Richards Pace, where the 91-year-old trainer-driver was feted by his many admirers.
While the overnight races were all legs of the track’s popular pop up series, carrying purses up to $5,200 each, the pop up finals on Saturday (Sept. 28) will host equally lofty prizes of up to $10,000 each.
The Spring-Summer meet’s leading reinsman Kevin Switzer had three wins on the 11-race program.
The Maine Sire Stakes reconvenes at the Cumberland Fair with 3-year-old filly pacers on Wednesday (Sept. 25), and then roll into the 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday (Sept. 26), with the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Sept. 27). The 2-year-old finals will be held on Saturday (Sept. 28).
Racing continues at the Cumberland Fair on Monday (Sept. 23), with the live harness action starting at 1:00 pm (new post time) for the remainder of the week through Saturday (Sept. 28).
The Sunday (Sept. 29) card has a special post time of 10:55 am for that final racing date.
After the fair, the track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and follows a 2-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 22. Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 21.
For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/
