June 6, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo: BIG AL M)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The $12,500 finals of the Rockland and Baxter Pacing Series highlight Belmont Stakes weekend at Cumberland Raceway, with the action starting Friday (June 6) with ten races and continuing through Saturday (June 7) with a full card of lofty purses.

Friday’s $5,000 featured trot pits the outside-assigned Big Al M (8-5, McGwire Sowers) against two inside contenders in Rose Run Xander (7-2, Walter Case Jr.) and Pax Hanover (6-1, Pax Hanover).  Big Al M shows a win against similar company a few weeks ago with his conditioner Zach Vickerson in the sulky.  Now he gets the services of top gun Sowers in the bike, albeit from post eight.  The 8-year-old son of Anders Bluestone has two wins in six seasonal outings and has earned $8,620 so far this year.

Friday’s card all carries fan favorite Gowestyounggrace (5-2, Dave Ingraham) who has been 1-2-3 in her last three starts for trainer, owner and co-breeder Sharon Ward.  Last year’s top Maine Sire Stakes sophomore pacing filly scores from post five and looks to add to her impressive $211,605 career bankroll.  She will have to catch Vel Straight Out (2-1, Sowers) who comes in from Saratoga against tougher company and drew pylon position in race three.

Racing continues on Saturday (June 7) with 10 races, including the $12,500 finals of the Baxter and Rockland Pacing Series. 

The Baxter final has 2-1 favorite The Big Aristotle (PP4, Drew Campbell) looking to outstep Beaches B Craycray (3-1, McGwire Sowers) who skims the pegs.  Arts Flight (9-2, Aaron Hall) also looks to make some noise coming off a win in the prelims last week.

The Rockland shows Mr Beast (2-1, Sowers) and Dinner Party (5-2, Campbell) as the horses to beat in the start of the Pick 3.

Saturday’s program also includes three $5,000 divisions of the second leg of our Moosehead Series Late Closers.  There will be wagering available on the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, the third and final jewel of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown.  Doors open at 12 noon for the flats action, and printed programs are also available for the runners.

The action kicks off at 3:15 pm on both Friday and Saturday, with a Trifecta in all 10 races, and the program also features a plethora of 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 conclude with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

Live video and replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.

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.