December 23, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Drew Campbell closed out the Cumberland Raceway meet on Sunday (Dec. 22) with another dominant display, grabbing a natural grand slam while capturing some of the loftiest purses of the meet.
Campbell began his four-race tear with a signature front-end flurry while driving Alex Having Fun to victory in the $8,000 Winners Over Pace. Scoring from post 7 the 7-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven set a stiff opening panel of :27.4 while Instant Replay (Aaron Hall) eventually yielded the top.
From that point it was all over but the shouting as the Kimberly Vafiades-owned and trained 2-5 favorite made every call a winning one, blasting home to a 1:55.1 by a measured length. It was his ninth win of the season, paying $2.80 to win.
Campbell was recognized in the winner’s circle following the third race for his meet- and season-leading dash wins. The 57-year-old Nova Scotia native had 97 trips to victory lane at Cumberland during the 2024 calendar year, while he grabbed 55 wins during the eight week winter meet. It was the talented reinsman’s third highest career seasonal earnings total with $1.6 million in purses and 226 victories throughout 2024, where he also plies his trade at Plainridge and the other Maine pari-mutuel and fair tracks. Campbell recently eclipsed 6,000 lifetime wins.
In the next race, the $12,500 pop up series final for non-winners of $30,000 in 2024, the public was not surprised by the eventual winner, Ranaldi, who cruised to a wire-to-wire victory in 1:58.4 while in rein to Drew Campbell. Paying $3.40, the Maine-bred 5-year son of Western Maverick is owned and trained by Dakota Niles.
However, in the winner’s circle a bigger surprise took place as 30-year-old Mr. Niles got down on one knee and proposed to his long-time girlfriend Taylor Turcotte. Only Niles and track announcer Mike Cushing were aware of what would happen next. As Ranaldi stood perfectly still, the soon-to-be Mrs. Niles accepted the marital request, and the engagement ring, amidst cheers from the bundled-up fans on hand to witness the subsequent public display of affection.
The newly engaged couple live in St. Albans and keep their stable of horses in Sydney, Maine, with a wedding date being set for the not-too-distant future. When asked what would have happened if the horse didn’t win, Niles was quick to point out that, “I was pretty nervous during the mile, but, I would have asked her at the Maine Horsemen’s banquet.”
And it was all in a day’s work for driver Drew Campbell, who successfully fulfilled a future husband’s plans, and captured the next two races to boot.
Miki De Vie (1:58.4, $2.40) won the $12,500 pop up final for NW $20,000 (’24) and with My Sweet Revenge (2:01.3, $4.00) in the $10,000 pop final for FM NW $1,500 L4, giving Drew Campbell his natural grand slam.
Ryan Berry enjoyed a catch drive victory in the $8,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club final in race eight, and came right back to enjoy an owner-trainer victory in $10,000 TMR 62 pop up final. Juneparker paid $6.60 and was driven by Nick Graffam.
Kevin Switzer Jr. finished the year as the second leading driver with 88 wins, followed by recent New England Harness Writers Hall of Fame inductee Walter Case Jr. (60); Nick Graffam (49) and Aaron Hall (45). Switzer’s father will also be inducted into New England’s Hall of Fame on Dec. 28, along with the posthumous recognition of Mike Andrew and Bill Varney.
The leading trainers for 2024 were: Jeff Deslandes (33), Bob Marston (27), Marc Tardif (27), Benson Merrill (22) and Sara Harrington (20). Autym Robinson led the trainers list for the winter meet with 16 wins.
The staff and management of First Tracks Cumberland would like to send our warmest holiday wishes and gratitude to the patrons, fans and horsemen that helped make our fourth year at the Cumberland Fairgrounds another success.
Harness racing at Cumberland Raceway reopens Friday, April 11 for 53 live harness racing dates during calendar year 2025. In addition, the Cumberland Fair (Sept. 21 – 28) meet will host eight dates.
For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland
