November 17, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – Wally Watson went from pillar to post with 35-1 longshot Broadway Giant to slay the $5,500 featured trotters at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (Nov. 16), lighting up the tote board in the process.
Broadway Hall took matters into his own hands and scurried to the front as soon as the wings folded, with Watson easily grabbing the point before the eighth pole. Valyrian Steel (Drew Campbell) was stuck on the outside heading down the backstretch and forced himself into the three-hole, while Inquiring Mind (Dave Ingraham) stuck close to the leaders helmet into the :28.3 opening panel.
The first to move into the outer flow was High Gear No Fear (Nick Graffam), who was reluctantly followed by 1-2 favorite Buddy Earl (Steve Wilson). Just past the 1:00.1 softer half, Drew Campbell ducked into the second over gap with Valyrian Steel.
On the outside through the 1:29.2 third panel High Gear No Fear battled neck-and-neck with Broadway Giant, with the favored Buddy Earl now three-wide around the final turn. As the field turned for home there were five horses across the racetrack with less than a length separating them as the finish.
Broadway Giant maintained his composure and the advantage to win by half a length in 2:01.1 over High Gear No Fear. Driven by Wally Watson for owner-trainer Ron Patione, it was the 10-year-old Broadway Hall gelding’s seventh win of the season and 35th lifetime. He paid $72.60 to win, and now boasts earnings of $181,963.
Valyrian Steel finished third.
Driver McGwire Sowers enjoyed a grand slam on the program and Drew Campbell picked up another three winners, edging him to within 20 wins of the 6,000 career victory plateau.
Trainer Autym Robinson had three victories on the card, Kim Vafiades and Dalton Lee each picked up a pair.
Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 17) with another 13-race card of full fields.
First Tracks Cumberland’s Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November. Then, 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, and post time is always 10:55 am.
For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland
