November 3, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – When Maine’s Winter Festival kicked off at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday (Nov. 2) veteran reinsman won half the races on the first of 19 Pine Tree State harness racing dates.

Winston ‘Drew’ Campbell, along with his younger brother of Heath Campbell, hail from the Canadian Maritime province of Nova Scotia, but have made Maine their home for the last several decades.  Both have over 5,000 wins and are always among the most sought after drivers on the competitive Maine circuit.

Closing in on another milestone, Drew Campbell added a handful of wins to bring his career dash total to 5,966.  The elder Campbell wasted little time getting to the Cumberland Raceway winners circle as the reined the winner of the first race on Saturday, Dancethebigdance N, to a 1:58.3 score in the opener.  Trained by Alex Richardson for owner Mary Fernald, the 6-year-old daughter of A Rocknroll Dance picked up her sixth win of the season, paying $2.60.

Campbell continued his ‘rein’ of terror with a natural hat trick in races three, four and five, scoring with Betfromthebeach (2:00.2, $2.80), Broadway Giant (2:02.1, $6.20) and the $5,000 co-featured trot with Love Kitten.

The 5-year-old Jailhouse Jesse mare trotted to a 2:01.3 upset score for owner Jason Vafiades and trainer Kimberly Vafiades.  Taking her ninth win of the season, she paid $12.80 to win.  Scottish Blue (Nick Graffam) finished second; Show Me The Magic (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

Campbell completed his quintet of conquests with Threetimessix (2:00.3, $7.40) for owner-trainer-breeder James Smallwood.  In taking the $5,000 co-featured pace, the 5-year-old daughter of Eighteen grabbed her seventh win of the year.  Favorite Whatchagonnadoboo (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; Delightful Virgin (Dave Ingraham) was third.

McGwire Sowers enjoyed a pair of driving victories, and both were trained by Autym Robinson.

Everybody’s favorite octogenarian Bob Nadeau grabbed his third Cumberland win of the season, piloting his own Azariya to a 2-3/4 length score in 2:02.1.  The 4-year-old daughter of Lazurus N paid $12.00 to win.

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 3) and features a $5,500 top pacing event of the week, headlined by Hoosier Shark (2-1, Walter Case Jr.) who is coming off a win in his last start and has won over a third of his seasonal outings.  Of course, former track stars Airspinder (7-2, Drew Campbell) and Rocksapatriot (5-1, Dave Ingraham) will also test the mettle of the early morning line favorite.

The program has a lot of action for horse players, as the Pick 5 starts with the third race; the Pick 4 highlights the seventh, and a High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

For the fourth season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 21.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing, or have recently retired, and have Maine connections.  Horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter and be featured in a half-page bio with photograph in the program.  Equine honorees must be present to participate and need to ‘declare’ by Dec. 4.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: [email protected].

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting, which enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November.  Next Saturday (Nov. 9) will feature the Leigh Fitch Memorial, with the live action continuing on Sunday (Nov. 10).  Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 6.  The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/  or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/