November 24, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Veteran trainer Mark Harris secured his 500th career training victory on Saturday (Nov. 23) at Cumberland Raceway, grabbing a pair of races on the mid-day card with trending reinsman Drew Campbell at the controls.
Harris harnessed Excelant Chance in the $3,600 sixth race, a conditioned pace where Campbell held fast in the garden spot behind pacesetter Yes Oui Si (Nick Graffam) to tip out and the stretch and score by a measured length in 2:04.2 on the track rated ‘good.’
It was the 42nd lifetime victory for the 11-year-old daughter of Mannart Howard, who owned by Dereck Robishaw, and gave Harris is 499th career winner. She paid $4.80 to win.
Fast forward to race 10 and Drew Campbell put Cash Crazy Express right on the engine in the $5,000 co-featured conditioned pace, where he set a snappy :28.1 opening panel to grab command and never looked back. Cruising home in 2:03, the 8-year-old daughter of Art Major got her eighth seasonal victory for trainer Mark Harris and owner-daughter Kathryn Duran. She paid $6.80 to win.
After the race ‘Katie’ was quick to share her Dad’s milestone on social media, “My father has been training horses for 20+ years and it’s amazing to see his hard work and dedication pay off by reaching this outstanding accomplishment! My dad has been doing what he absolutely loves, and that’s being with his horses every single day. I’m very proud of you dad and love you so much!”
Harris has 42 victories this season, which is his best seasonal total since 2009 when he had 43. Born in Dover, Maine, the 61-year-old conditioner has harnessed the winners of over $1.8 million since 2004. Mark Harris, and his wife Gayle, reside in Bangor.
Walter Case Jr. drove the French-bred trotter Empereurthebest FR to an easy 2:08 open lengths victory for trainer Jim Dunn and owner Stanley Bubier Jr. He paid $4.00 to win for the 18th time in his career in the $5,000 co-featured conditioned trot. Case grabbed a driving double on the card with Moonlightandroses (2:01.4, $2.80).
Driver Nick Graffam had a hat trick on the program with Granny’s Girl (2:03, $6.80), High Gear No Fear (2:04, $13.60) and his stable’s Maine Sire Stakes star South St Dottie (2:02.3, $5.00).
Two older stars made their way to the winners circle on Saturday as well. 14-year-old pacer Rockin Rambaran won the 12th race for Team Watson. Driven by Wally Watson for owner-trainer Lisa Watson, the son of Rambaran is slated to participate in Cumberland’s Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies on Dec. 21. He paid $9.60 for the neck victory over Cutter Loose (Aaron Hall) in 2:03.4.
In addition, everyone’s favorite Octogenarian Bob Nadeau (age 86) copped the finale with his own Azariya in 2:02.4. Sitting a perfect two-hole trip behind 2-5 favorite Vel Stormy (McGwire Sowers, age 24), the 4-year-old Lazurus N mare got up to win by a half-length and paid $6.20. It was both horse and driver’s fourth win of the season.
Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 24) with a 12-race card of full fields, which includes a $5,500 conditioned pace and a $4,000 leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club with series leader Hunter Lofthus scoring from post seven with Hunting Angels.
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
