May 18, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. enjoyed his second grand slam of the season at Cumberland Raceway on Friday (May 17), winning a third of all the races on the action packed 12-race card.

Switzer wasted little time getting started, winning the opener with the trusty mare Pretty Gorgeous.  A winner of 4 of her last 5 starts, the 7-year-old daughter of I’m Gorgeous controlled the tempo from the start and never looked back, scoring in 1:56.2 by a measured 1-1/2 lengths.  Trained by Benson Merrill for owners John and Thelma Kiernan, the consistent lass paid $4.40 to win the $5,500 event and picked up her 20^th lifetime victory.

Now that the grass is growing tall through the longer days in Southern Maine, the Tardif Taskforce is back in town and rolling out some of their promising young horses for a taste of stone dust before the upcoming stakes season.  One filly to watch is the winner of the third race, Ghost Of You.

Now 3, and while making her first seasonal start the homebred daughter of Deuce Seelster handily put away a group of older mares in convincing fashion.  Leaving from post three, Switzer got shuffled back to sixth at the start while allowing the front-end tusslers to beat each other up.  Pulling third-over down the backside, the filly had the momentum while rolling through the turn and was positioned third by the head of the stretch.  When the dust settled coming down the stretch Ghost Of You prevailed by a tight quarter length over Post Time Terror (Dan Deslandes) in 2:00.3.

Trained by Mark Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, she paid a whopping $42.20 to win her first start of the season.

Switzer won the 6^th race with Pembroke Booboo by another close quarter-length over Foxy Trotting Stick (Nick Graffam) in 2:00.4.  Owned and trained by Jason Leal, the 5-year-old daughter of Pembroke Slugger paid $15.60 to win her first start of the year.

The driving grand slam culminated with Switzer’s 11^th race victory while guiding Two Fold Cold to a wire-to-wire rout in 1:59.4.  The sophomore pacing gelding paid $2.80 to win his first start of the fresh season.  A standout in the Maine Sire Stakes last year at 2, he was a winner of 4 of 9 while earning $42,849, and is still owned and trained by Mark Tardif, who picked up his second training win of the day.  Two Fold Cold was bred in Maine by Gary and Kristina Hall.

The Tardif Taskforce also grabbed the place position with the Western Maverick colt Thru The Fire, who was driven by Walter Case Jr.

Nick Graffam picked up a pair of driving wins with June Parker (1:59.1, $9.00) and 2023 Maine Sire Stakes Champion South St Dottie (1:59.2, $3.20). 

Harness racing action resumes on Saturday (May 18) where horse racing enthusiasts can also watch and wager on the race known as the ‘Run for the Black-Eyed Susans.’  First Tracks Cumberland is proud to offer full-card simulcasting from Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland, which includes the 149^th renewal of the $2,000,000 Preakness Stakes.

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan will attempt to capture the second leg of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown, looking to become the first horse to complete a sweep of the three signature stakes races since Justify in 2018.

Doors open at 12 noon on Saturday (May 18) with a host of wagering, food and beverage options available all day.  Live harness racing kicks off at 3:15 pm.

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 16, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland is proud to offer full-card simulcasting from Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland, which includes the 149^th renewal of the $2,000,000 Preakness Stakes this weekend, May 17 & 18.

Harness racing action resumes Friday (May 17) with a full 12-race card, and continues on Saturday (May 18) where horse racing enthusiasts can also watch and wager on the race known as the ‘Run for the Black-Eyed Susans.’

In just a few days, Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan will attempt to capture the second leg of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown, looking to become the first horse to complete a sweep of the three signature stakes races since Justify in 2018.

Doors open at 12 noon on Saturday (May 18) with a host of wagering, food and beverage options available all day.  Live harness racing kicks off both days at 3:15 pm.

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

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May 12, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Bet On Joe captured the $6,000 featured pace at Cumberland on Saturday (May 11), picking up his second win in eight starts this year, and rewarding his backers with a ‘triple return’ on their investment.

Unraced at 2, the now-9-year-old has taken a seasonal mark every year since lining up behind a starting car, the fastest was 1:54f at Plainridge in 2022.  Having overcome many obstacles, Bet On Joe has been quietly plying his trade in New England since he was a sophomore. 

“He is the true definition of a war horse,” exclaims his trainer Bob Marston.

Plagued with injuries most of his career, his past performances may seem a little threadbare to some.  But, not according to Marston.

“Joe is all heart.  He has rebounded from multiple setbacks that would have been the end of most horse’s careers.  But, he just keeps coming back…stronger every time.”  Marston continues, “He’s the barn favorite.”

A proud product of the world’s richest stallion, Bettor’s Delight, and from the Falcon Seelster mare Ante Fay, the gelding comes by his grit and determination honestly.  Both his dam and his second dam earned six figures in their careers and he is just $2,005 shy of breaking that plateau himself.

Scoring from post 2, Bruce Ranger sat in the two-hole behind pacesetter Rocksapatriot and tipped out down the homestretch to win in 1:56.  He paid $6.40 to win his 17^th career race.  Trained by Marsten for owner Sharon Goding, who has owned him for the last five seasons, he now has $97,995 earned lifetime. 

Gordon Corey’s Call Me Maverick (Mike Stevenson) finished second; Lexus Witha View A (Nick Graffam) was third.

David Zuckerman took his first Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) race of the season with his own Rest Assured in 2:00.4, paying $9.20 to win.  Jo Pa’s Sweet Lou (Alex Richardson) finished second; Furious Beach (Mike Girouard) was third.  The $5,000 MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Legendary Maine horseman Donny Richards picked up a win with his 7-year-old mare Ry’s Red Rocket, taking a $5,500 FM conditioned pace in 1:57.2.  Driven by Walter Case Jr. for the 91-year-old trainer, it was his 993^rd win to go with a career that boasts 4,212 driving victories.  Of course, not unlike Mickey Burke Sr., some of those victories were captured while ‘wearing a soft cap.’

Case Jr., Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. all picked up driving doubles on the day’s program.  After 5 weeks and 10 racing dates, Dan Deslandes and Switzer Jr. are tied at 19 in the driver’s standings.  Ranger (11), Aaron Hall (10) and Drew Campbell (9) round out the top five.  Jeff Deslandes leads all conditioners with 18 victories, followed by Larry Dancer (11) and Bob Marston (9).

Racing resumes next Friday (May 17), and continues on Saturday (May 18) where horse racing enthusiasts can watch and wager on 149^th Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.  Considered the “middle jewel” of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown, the race is known as the ‘Run for the Black-Eyed Susans’ with Cumberland hosting the full-card simulcast. 

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 11, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Perennial leading driver Bruce Ranger picked up a natural hat trick on Friday (May 10) at Cumberland, winning three of the final four races on the 12-race card. 

For the native-New Englander it was just another day at the office, while wearing the familiar Norton Farm colors of Red, Gold and Black, Ranger started his three-race sweep with victory in the featured $7,000 Winners Over Trot.

Scoring from post 4 with second choice (8-5) Kilauea, the confident teamster was content to let the front-end battles ensue during the early going while taking a seat on the pylons in fifth.  Favored Armagedon Seelster (6-5, Kevin Switzer Jr.) refused to take a seat and powered past J S Peyton (9-2, Dan Deslandes) to grab the top in a demanding 27.4 opening panel.

The field was strung out going to the half, with Switzer trying to reel in his trotter on the front end.  They went by the half in 57.3, and although there was no movement, the pace was a much more manageable second quarter of 29.4.

Down the backside the final time, Kilauea was sent out first over by the paddock draw gate and moved closer to the top, as the leader tried desperately to hold on to his advantage through a 1:27 third stanza.  Kilauea flushed several would-be challengers as J S Peyton tipped, forcing Storm Bringer (Aaron Hall) three-wide around the final turn. 

Ranger used the cover to slingshot around the traffic jam, swinging four-wide and into the home stretch.  Down the center of the track the trotters all had their eyes on the leader, and Ranger swooped them all under the shadow of the wire to prevail by a scant quarter length.

The photo finish for win put Kilauea on top of the 1:59 mile, paying $5.40.  Owned by Michael Pease and trained by Christopher Hitchcock, the 6-year-old son of Kadabra picked up his third win of the season, and now boasts lifetime earnings of $174,489.  Named for an active volcano on the Island of Hawaii [pronounced kee-lou-ey-ah], Kilauea now has 11 career victories.

Armagedon Seelster hung on to be second; Storm Bringer was third.

Ranger continued to visit the Blue Seal Feeds winners circle in the following two races with: Eric Bickmore’s Rambling Ruby ($15.60, 1:58.1) and Ron Patoine’s Broadway Giant ($2.80, 2:00.1).

Bruce Ranger sits 20^th on the all-time drivers dash win list with 10,280.  Aside from Ranger’s hat trick, Aaron Hall enjoyed a trainer-driver double, and reinsman Andy Harrington also grabbed a pair of victories.  It was a good day at the windows for First Tracks Cumberland as punters pushed $144,797 through the system.

Racing resumes Saturday (May 11), and the opener features the fifth week of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) with six part-time reinsmen vying for bragging rights.  The early favorite is Rest Assured (David Zuckerman) listed at 2-1 from the eurorail.  Last week’s winner Furious Beach (Mike Girouard) has been assigned post 6 and is pegged at 4-1.  Fan favorite Putnam’s Storm (Bob Nadeau) scores from post 2.

As always, the $5,000 MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The featured $6,000 pacing event is programmed as race 8 and carries six of the state’s faster sidesteppers, including the return of Gordon Corey’s Call Me Maverick.

Next week, horse racing enthusiasts can watch and wager on 149^th Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.  Considered the “middle jewel” of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown, the race is known as the ‘Run for the Black-Eyed Susans’ with Cumberland hosting the full-card simulcast on Saturday, May 18. 

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm. For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 9, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Pine Tree State’s best trotters just got a pay increase this week, as the ‘winners over’ class of over-achievers will go for $7,000 this Friday (May 10) at Cumberland. 

New arrival Kilauea leads a group of Maine’s fastest diagonally gaited set to go postward for the salary bump as race 9 on the afternoon’s 12 race-card.

Fresh off a 1:56.4 victory at Ohio’s Miami Valley, the 6-year-old son of Kadabra has moved to the barn of Chris Hitchcock and looks for his third win of the season for his new connections.

Named for an active volcano on the Island of Hawaii [pronounced kee-lou-ey-ah], Kilauea has been installed as the early 2-1 morning line favorite with Bruce Ranger down to drive from post 4.

The second choice from post 6 is Armagedon Seelster (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) who is leading seasonal money winner with $22,780 on his card.

Earlier in the day, one of Maine’s favorite daughter’s, Pickmepickme, has come home to roost.

The now 4-year-old multiple stakes winner by Western Maverick has drawn pylon position in race 2, and gets the return services of Walter Case Jr. for trainer Mark Tardif.  With lifetime earnings of $160,546, she is listed at 5-2, just behind Humor Me (2-1, Aaron Hall), an older mare with $180,613 in her career bankroll.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s (May 11) card, the opener features week five of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) with six part-time reinsmen vying for bragging rights.  The early favorite is Rest Assured (David Zuckerman) listed at 2-1 from the eurorail.  Last week’s winner Furious Beach (Mike Girouard) has been assigned post 6 and is pegged at 4-1.  Fan favorite Putnam’s Storm (Bob Nadeau) scores from post 2.

As always, the $5,000 MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The featured $6,000 pacing event is programmed as race 8 and carries six of the state’s faster sidesteppers, including the return of Gordon Corey’s Call Me Maverick.

Next week, horse racing enthusiasts can watch and wager on 149^th Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.  Considered the “middle jewel” of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown, the race is known as the ‘Run for the Black-Eyed Susans’ with Cumberland hosting the full-card simulcast on Saturday, May 18. 

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 5, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Just before the college band played the iconic song My Old Kentucky Home at Churchill Downs Saturday (May 4), So Rock N’ Roll played a familiar tune of his own:  winning another race at First Tracks Cumberland.

Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, perennial leading driver Bruce Ranger was content to let a bevy of anxious pacers leave swiftly from the start in the $6,000 featured pacing contest.  Ranaldi (Drew Campbell) set a scorching 28.4 bee-line for the quarter pole from post 4, with Lexus Witha View A (Nick Graffam) grabbing the 2-hole.  Bet On Joe (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was a bit more relaxed in third position with Ranger ducking So Rock N’ Roll back down to the pylons in fourth.

While Drew Campbell thought he could give Ranaldi a 59.1 (30.2) half-mile breather, that slower pace prompted Ranger to pull first over and offer his melody to the leader.  Because every action causes a reaction, Graffam popped the two-hole with Lexus Witha View A who jumped up and looked Ranaldi right in the eye at the 1:27.2 third panel.

Even though So Rock N’ Roll enjoyed some brief cover down the backside, Ranger pulled three-wide on the outside around the final turn and was gaining momentum with every stride.  As the field turned for home the favorite increased his tempo and danced away from the rest of the band in 1:57, prevailing by 1-1/2 lengths.

Trained by Larry Dancer for owner-breeder Leighton Property, the 4-year-old son of Western Maverick picked up his third win of the season in just 6 starts.  He paid $3.40 to win and pushed his lifetime bankroll to $265,791.

PBR Street Gang (Aaron Hall) charged home to be second; Bet On Joe finished third.

Michael Girouard won the $5,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event with his own Furious Beach in 2:01.3.  Scoring from post 6, he was parked the last half, and boldly paced three-wide down the backside to catch pacesetting favorite Premier Joy A (McKenzie Sowers) and win by 2-1/2 lengths.  He paid $9.20 to win.

The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. both enjoyed driving doubles, and trainer Larry Dancer also picked up a pair of victories.

Racing resumes at the Southern Maine harness racing facility on Friday (May 10) with a 3:15 pm post time.

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 4, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Power Mitt paid no attention to the tote board as the 8-1 longshot upset Maine’s top trotters to capture the $6,000 feature at Cumberland on Friday (May 3).

When the wings folded several of those from the upper echelon set scurried out for chance at the lead.  When the dust settled J S Peyton (Drew Campbell) made the top, with Warrawee Preferred (Walter Case Jr.) protecting his inside position and forcing 8-5 favorite Knight Angel (Aaron Hall) into third.

As the field approached the 29.1 opening panel, the leader’s stablemate Elegant Dulupin FR (Dan Deslandes) ranged up on the outside to take command.  The seven combatants remained in perfect alignment passing the stands for the first time and through a 59.2 half-mile marker.

At the five-eighths pole track announcer Mike Cushing exclaimed, “now Knight Angel has thrown his hat into the ring as he steps into the outer flow.”  Kevin Switzer Jr. and Power Mitt used that live cover to come second over from fifth as the pack tightened up dramatically as they passed the paddock draw gate.

Just past the 1:30.3 third panel Knight Angel had moved up to the lead and had nearly passed Elegant Dulupin FR, with Power Mitt now three-wide and rolling through the final turn.  With Knight Angel unable to get by Elegant Dulupin FR and Power Mitt steamrolling down the center of the track, the troika battled wheel-to-wheel down the stretch.

With all of the screaming and shouting of a heavy weight title bout, Power Mitt prevailed in the final steps to win by a measured length in 2:01.  Motto (Bruce Ranger) came flying on the far outside to get up for second.  Knight Angel finished third.

Trained by Bob Marston for owner Dana Goding, the 5-year-old son of Explosive Matter paid $18.40 to win back-to-back starts.

Driver Andy Harrington picked up three wins on the card, all from the stable of his wife Sara Harrington.  Larry Dancer also enjoyed a training triple.  Aaron Hall, Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. all grabbed driving doubles.

Harness racing resumes on Saturday (May 4) at First Tracks Cumberland (post time 3:15 pm) where fans and bettors can also watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Saturday’s 150^th Run for the Roses.  Doors open at 12 noon on Derby Day for the full-card simulcast of horse racing’s biggest day, with a host of food and beverage options available all day at the iconic Cumberland Fairgrounds. 

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 2, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s top trotters will go postward just after the famed Kentucky Oaks winning filly dons her blanket of roses on Friday (May 3) at Cumberland.  The afternoon card features 11 races, with the $6,000 featured trot slated as race 9 with Knight Angel (3-1) listed as the early morning line favorite, and runs in concert with racing from Louisville, Kentucky.

Owned, trained and driven by Aaron Hall, the 8-year-old son of Archangel landed in New England from the Team Miller – Orange Crush Stable in December of last year.  He won his first qualifier in the Pine Tree State and then a leg of the Jack Frost series in 2:00.4.

With just two starts under his belt this season, Knight Angel finished second against this group last week, race timed in 1:58.3.  He scores from slot 4, Cumberland’s winningest (23.2%) post position.

Hall likes his horse and is happy with how he has come back from his break.

“He is in with a tough group.  He will have to be even better this week to have a shot,” noted the prominent Maine horseman.

Looking to upset the apple cart is J S Peyton (7-2), who sports two wins in his last three starts, and is the close second choice, scoring from post 5. 

Trained by Jeff Deslandes, he will be driven by North America’s leading UDRS (<300 starts, 0.436) driver Dan Deslandes.  In fact, on April 30 his driving stats were an even more impressive 0.475 in that same category.  So far this season the Deslandes clan has dominated the leader board at First Tracks Cumberland with 15 training wins and 16 driving victories.

Not to be overlooked from pylon position is Power Mitt (4-1) who won handily last week in 1:58.3 against a softer bunch.  Trained by Bob Marston, he gets the return services of last season’s leading driver Kevin Switzer Jr.

With horse racing’s Kentucky Derby taking center stage in the national spotlight this weekend, Cumberland Raceway offers live harness racing on both Friday (May 3) and Saturday (May 4), along with coverage of two of the biggest days on the Thoroughbred Triple Crown calendar.

Fans and bettors can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Saturday’s 150^th Run for the Roses.  Doors open at 12 noon on Saturday for the full-card simulcast of horse racing’s biggest day, with a host of food and beverage options available all day at the iconic Cumberland Fairgrounds. 

In addition, fans and patrons may also watch and wager on Friday’s Kentucky Oaks card from Churchill Downs, while the harness racing action opens the horse-centric weekend on Friday (May 3).  First post is at 3:15 pm.   Both Harness and Thoroughbred programs will be available.

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

–30–

April 30, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – With horse racing’s Kentucky Derby taking center stage in the national spotlight this weekend, Cumberland Raceway will offer both live harness racing on Friday (May 3) and Saturday (May 4), along with coverage of two of the biggest days on the Thoroughbred Triple Crown calendar.

Fans and bettors can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Saturday’s 150^th Run for the Roses.  Doors open at 12 noon for the full-card simulcast of horse racing’s biggest day, with a host of food and beverage options available all day at the iconic Cumberland Fairgrounds. 

First Tracks’ full card of live harness racing starts at 3:15 pm with ten races slated for Saturday (May 4, Kentucky Derby Day).  Both Harness and Thoroughbred programs will be available.

In addition, fans and patrons may also watch and wager on Friday’s Kentucky Oaks card from Churchill Downs, while the harness racing action opens the horse-centric weekend on Friday (May 3).  Post time is 3:15 pm.

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/