April 12, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Perennial leading driver Bruce Ranger was back to his winning ways at Cumberland Raceway, scoring a hat trick on Friday’s (April 11) opening day card. Not to be outdone, ‘young gun’ McGwire Sowers also grabbed three victories.
With four decades separating the two, Ranger (65) and Sowers (25) each plied their trade for a particular stable.
Ranger copped his three wins with horses trained by Benson Merrill.
Last season’s fourth leading trainer with 28 wins, Merrill harnessed Pretty Gorgeous (1:59.3, $3.80); Zampara (2:01.3, $5.00) and Ten Beach Later (2:01.1, $2.80). Then Merrill jumped in the bike himself and scored with Art Of Endurance (2:00, $6.40) to give himself a conditioning grand slam on the program.
Sowers got his three notches aboard charges from the Autym Robinson stable, who enjoyed 20 wins at Cumberland in 2024. Together they accounted for victories with Vel Miss Taylor (1:59.4, $2.40); Mr Fantasy (2:00.1, $2.60) and Moonlightandroses (1:59.1., $12.60). All three were owned by Mo Coo Inc.
‘Double-digit’ Dave Ingraham took the $5,000 featured trot with To My Credit in 2:01.3. The 5-year-old son of Credit Winner is trained by Frank Hiscock and paid $14.80 to win.
Shortly before Friday’s (April 11) first race, nearly 40 drivers, trainers and other Maine harness horse people assembled in front of the infield tote board to observe a moment of silence for fallen driver Hunter Myers.
Saturday’s (April 12) card carries ten races and kicks off with the season’s first Maine Amateur Driving Club event. The $4,000 purse attracted five entrants and is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine. Michael Girouard drives his own Menlo Park and has been installed as the 4-5 favorite from pylon position.
The area’s better side-steppers square off in the $5,000 fourth race conditioned pace. Zack Vickerson brings Heavensway A (6-5, Switzer Jr.) from Saratoga and looks to dominate. The 8-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven earned nearly $60,000 last season and looks to get a jump start on his win tally this year.
There is a $618 carryover in the tenth race Pentafecta. Wagering options include the Pick 5 which starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the seventh, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.
Looking ahead to the first Saturday in May, bettors and fans of Thoroughbred racing will be able to watch and wager on the entire Kentucky Derby card from Churchill Downs, right in the Cumberland grandstand.
First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.
