May 8, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – ‘Trottin’ Friday’ features the diagonally gaited set in three of the nine races programmed on Friday (May 9) at Cumberland Raceway, including the featured $5,500 conditioned trot.
Aaron Hall has Bill Phipps’ Jax Spratt in peak condition and has not missed a check with the horse in his last seven outings. The 5-year-old son of Devious Man has earned $115,680 lifetime and has enjoyed 20 trips to the winners circle.
Despite being saddled with post seven, the consistent trotter has a win and a second place finish in his last four starts, leaving mostly from the outer tier of the starting car. Installed as the 5-1 third choice, he is trained and driven by Hall.
Jax Spratt’s biggest threat comes from the pylon positioned McStoned Again (9-5, McGwire Sowers) who is also an accomplished racehorse, having won 28 times in his five-year racing career. Also getting the trackman’s consideration is the Rose Run Yakim (5-2, Drew Campbell) who is coming off a win in his last start against a lesser bunch.
The action kicks off at 3:15 pm on Friday and includes several exotic wagers Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.
Saturday’s (May 10) card carries eight races and hosts the Maine Amateur Driving Club event in race two. The $4,000 purse attracted a full field of eight entrants and is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine. Todd Whitney drives the favorite Hoosier Shark from post four.
The faster pacers meet in the $5,500 fifth race conditioned pace. Zack Vickerson trains and drives the 3-1 favorite Heavensway A. The 11-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight races without the claiming tag and looks to improve upon his uncharacteristic miscue in his last outing. Former Maine champion Two Fold Cold (7-2, Dave Ingraham) is steadily improving and will look to mix things up a bit.
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.
