November 9, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Pembroke Breeze sailed to a front-end victory on Saturday (Nov. 8) at Cumberland Raceway, taking the $5,500 conditioned trot in a lifetime best 1:58.
As the wings folded, the 4-year-old daughter of Pembroke Slugger was briefly behind the 33-1 longshot To My Credit (Mike Stevenson), but tipped out and went around the early leaver through the paddock turn to take command at the :29.1 opening panel.
By the :59.2 half-mile marker Pembroke Breeze was in total command as the rest of the field tracked loosely behind the former Maine Sire Stakes champion.
Just past the half the even-money co-favorite Valyrian Steel (Kevin Switzer Jr.) moved first over from fifth to improve his position. Brutalizer (12-1, Andy Harrington) followed closely second-up as the trotters moved past the paddock turn the second time.
The public’s choice led the field to a 1:28.3 third stanza and began to gain separation as the rest of the pack fanned out around the final turn. All alone and drawing off by 7-1/2 lengths, Pembroke Breeze took her seventh win of the season.
Driven by Heath Campbell for owner/trainer Valerie Grondin, it was her 19th career victory and a new time badge, boosting her lifetime earnings to $209,774. She returned $4.20. Brutalizer finished second; To My Credit was third.
Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 7) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card.
The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the seventh, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.
Our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November. Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5. The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.
For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/
Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.
