December 5, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Cumberland Raceway has added a third day to their Winter Festival schedule, with Friday racing beginning Dec. 6 and continuing for the next three weeks of December.  Racing Secretary Rob Pennington has written four series with two early legs and finals going for $10,000 each on the weekend of Dec. 21 and 22.  Due to the elevated purse offerings, the box was overflowing with entries which resulted in 12 divisions of the first preliminary leg with total purses exceeding $60,000.

Friday’s (Dec. 6) card has nine races with two $4,500 divisions of the TrackMaster series and a $5,500 featured fillies and mares pace, led by Windydayatthebeach (3-2, Drew Campbell).  The 4-year-old daughter of Downbytheseaside drops down from tougher Plainridge company for trainer Randy Bickmore.

The action continues on Saturday (Dec. 7) with an 11-race card, which includes a $6,000 Winners Over Trot.  The early morning line favorite is Motto (5-2, McGwire Sowers) who has earned $83,425 this season.  The second choice is Jax Spratt (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) who scores from pylon position. Chasing them will be two last start winners in Little Macabee (7-2, Drew Cambell) and Knight Angel (4-1, Aaron Hall).

Saturday’s card also carries a $6,000 Winners Over Pace, led by Varney (2-1, Nick Graffam) who has earned $64,660 this year and been 17 times 1-2-3 in 31 outings.  The second choice is Sixfingerfreddie (5-2, Drew Campbell) who won in 1:53.4 at Plainridge a few starts back.

Sunday’s (Dec. 8) card boasts ten divisions of the various pop-up series and the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club race.

On each of the three racing days, the Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 21, with a total of 12 entries to be paraded in front of their Maine fanbase.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland