July 27, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – A relative tsunami of Maine-bred trotters converged on Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (July 26) afternoon, with six $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for the 2- and 3-year-old diagonally gaited sets.

Last year’s freshman trotting champion, Whatawonder (1/5), made his sophomore debut in his $11,976 division, after missing the first four weeks of the series.  Regular pilot Ken Watson put the son of Whataworkout on the lead where the heretofore unbeaten gelding likes to be placed.

However, by the third station Liberty’s Wildcard (8/5, Kevin Switzer Jr.), this year’s star with the unblemished record had other intentions.  He looked the pacesetter right in the eye, and went right on by.  Lengthening his lead with every stride, the son of Noble Venture rolled on to win by 3-3/4 lengths in 2:02, a new lifetime best.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was the fifth consecutive victory for the divisional leader Liberty’s Wildcard.  He was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr. and paid $5.40.

In the first of two $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies Little Shot (2-1, Ivan Davies) sat a perfect two-hole trip behind Race Me Bombshell (7-1, Drew Campbell) and took their shot down the backstretch.  Ultamately, Little Shot overpowered the pacesetter to score by a length in 2:03.2, a seasonal mark and first win of the year.

Also trained by Ivan Davies, the daughter of Noble Venture is owned and was bred by Dr. Douglass Hutchins.  She paid $4.40 to win.  Heavy 1/5 favorite Barbella (Nick Graffam) recovered from several miscues to be third.

In the second division for sophomore trotting fillies even money favorite Twisted Fate (Mike Cushing) cruised to a wire-to-wire romp in a lifetime best 2:04 by over 10 open lengths.

Trained by Mike Cushing for owners / breeders Mike Graham and Nelson DiPompo Jr., the daughter of Whataworkout paid $4.20.

Pandemic Princess (Heath Campbell) finished second; Belabelle (Eric Bickmore) was third.

The virtual tornado of trotting bloodstock resulted in half the day’s program dedicated to the Pine Tree State-bred dynamos, with all divisions of freshman trotters also up for grabs. 

The $11,254 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies was captured by Hayden, who went from pillar to post from pylon position for trainer driver Gary Hall in 2:06, a new lifetime best.

Owned and bred by Stephen Hall, her only anxious moment came from Our Last Quote (7-1, Steve Wilson) who got to within a head of the pacesetter as the duo matched strides down the homestretch.  Hayden, a daughter of Cantab Fashion, paid $6.00 to win.

Nobella (16-1, Ken Watson) finished third.

Pembroke Lady (1/9, Heath Campbell) went a virtual training mile in the other $11,429 division for 2-year-old trotting fillies, scoring in a new lifetime best 2:07.4 by four open lengths.  Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner Brenda Varney, she paid $2.20 and was bred by the late Bill Varney.

Roseapple Ave (Wally Watson) finished second; Race Me Boomer (Bill Childs) was third.

Heavy 1/9 favorite Wilder N Idy also had things his own way in the freshman colt split, winning by half of the length of the stretch in 2:03.4, which shaved a full four seconds off his previous lifetime best.

Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn and owner Patrick Leavitt, the son of Cantab Fashion paid $2.20 and was bred by the late Mike Andrew.

Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) finished second; Trottinfortreasure (Switzer Jr.) was third.

Sunday’s (July 27) special 12 noon card welcomes two $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers, as well as six individual $6,000 End of Summer Pop Up series legs with finals going on closing day (Aug. 2) for $8,000.

As always, there is a Trifecta in all 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 concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.  Saturday (July 26) brings a $720.05 carryover in the Pentafecta.

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 through August 2, featuring full card simulcast of the Hambletonian from the Meadowlands.