November 18, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Steve Wilson came from off the pace on Sunday (Nov. 17) to capture the $5,000 top pace at Cumberland Raceway with George Fenno’s Instant Replay. 

Scoring from post four, Wilson left swiftly to assume command before the field hit the first turn, but was content to let Denver Seelster (Kevin Switzer Jr.) pop the deuce and take the top when the field straightened out going down the backstretch.

As Denver Seelster led the sidesteppers past the opening panel in :28.3, the outer flow started to materialize early in the form of Axion Hanover (Drew Campbell) who has won his last three outings and was the public choice at 4-5.

As the pack passed the stands into a :59.2 half-mile time, Grand Galop Semalu (Andy Harrington) was second over with Instant Replay sitting alongside in the cat bird seat.  Not much changed at the 1:27.3 third panel as the front-end battle made for some tight quarters as the pacers rounded the final turn.

Through the stretch the pacesetters drifted out enough to allow Instant Replay to skim the cones and advance past the head strong duo.  Wilson had only Axion Hanover to out-step at the wire, as the pair held on to win by half a length.

Trained by Christopher DuBois for owner George Fenno III, the 4-year-old son of Lazarus N picked up his sixth win of the season after finishing second in three of his last four outings.  Paying $9.00 to win, he split the beam in 1:58.1.

Axion Hanover finished second; Denver Seelster was third.

Drivers Kevin Switzer Jr. and Drew Campbell each picked up a hat trick on the Sunday program.  For Drew Campbell, his 6,000th victory watch now stands at minus 17 with 5,983.   McGwire Sowers is also on our radar with the 24-year-old reinsman now just seven shy of the 1,000 win threshold.

Racing resumes on Saturday (Nov. 23) with another 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