May 24, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Walter Case Jr. enjoyed a grand slam of victories on Friday (May 23) at Cumberland Raceway, which included a score in the $5,500 featured trot with Empereurthebest FR.

The muddy going did not deter the winner of 11,501 races from making the best of the off track, where the judges listed a four second allowance.

Case sprung from the gate from post two and set a snappy :30.1 opening panel to take command in the top trot, and kept the French-bred gelding on point through a softer 1:03.2 half.  The outer flow began down the backstretch with Pembroke Honcho (17-1, Heath Campbell) flushing the cover of 39-1 longshot Valyrian Steel and Dave Ingraham. 

While the pack was chasing the leader into the 1:35.3 third quarter the 1-2 favorite Big Al M (Zach Vickerson) found himself third over and trying to get into the mix. Around the final turn the pressure began to mount upon the leader.  Case then loosened his grip ever so slightly and Empereurthebest FR responded with a closing kick, drawing away from the field to win by 3-1/4 lengths in 2:07.

Trained by James Dunn for owner Stanley Bubier Jr., it was the third win of the season for the 11-year-old son of Un Amour D’haufor, which raised his lifetime bankroll to $344,604.  He paid $6.60 to win.

Inquiring Mind (Steve Wilson) finished second; Pembroke Honcho was third.

Walter Case Jr., the 9th leading driver on the all-time dash winning list among active drivers, also scored with: Rose Run Xander (2:06.1, $9.60), Royalty Again (2:02.3, $22.60), and Beach Director (2:06.2, $6.60). The latter pair were trained by Randy Bickmore, giving Case a total of four driving wins on the soggy afternoon.

Speaking of four, McGwire Sowers steered Vel Miss Taylor to her fourth victory in a row, in a wire to wire romp in 2:03.1.  The 5-year-old daughter of Ponder is trained by Autym Robinson for Mo Coo Inc., and paid $6.80.

Andrew Harrington (also the trainer) and Steve Wilson enjoyed a pair of victories on the program.

Looking ahead, Saturday’s (May 24) card carries 11 events with the popular $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event slated as race four.  Zach Vickorson drives the 9-5 favorite Dark Matter from post two, followed by second choice Ten Beaches Later (3-1) with Hunter Lofthus who is the current point leader in the series.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine. 

In the $5,500 featured eighth race conditioned pace, the powerful Autym Robinson stable sends out Hypnoticdream (2-1, McGwire Sowers) from post four.  The 8-year-old son of Hypnotic Blue Chip emigrates from the Bay State and should be the one to beat in here.  His primary threat will come in the form of Gabe Hanover (5-2, Walter Case Jr.) who took a 1:51.3f record last season, and is still looking to break into the win column this year.

Next week’s (Tuesday) draw includes several lucrative late closing series to choose from, most with $12,500 finals.  Three events start on May 31 and continue through the month of June.  More information can be found on our website, firsttrackscumberland.com.

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.