December 2, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – For the fifth season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 20. The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing or have retired within the last four years, and have Maine connections.
Ten retirees have already been entered, and those horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter and be featured in a half-page bio with photograph in the program. Equine honorees must be present to participate. This shall serve as the tracks ‘last call’ for entries. Trainers or owners must ‘declare’ their horse by Dec. 3. To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.
First Tracks Cumberland has transitioned to a three-day weekend of racing, adding the Friday (Dec. 5) card, which compliments the Saturday (Dec. 6) and Sunday (Dec. 7) programs. First post: 10:55 am.
Draw dates will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday respectively, with the box closing at 12 noon each day.
Racing at Cumberland continues three days each weekend through December 21, 2024.
December 1, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Conditioner Zach Vickerson had three horses racing on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland, and won with all three.
In the 3rd race $5,000 featured pace, top teamster Kevin Switzer Jr. sent heavy 1-9 favorite Rock Candy out to an early lead, but so did McGwire Sowers with the 6-1 Vel Mr Nice Guy. Switzer Jr. re-took just past the :28.4 opening panel, and never looked back.
Guiding the field through a softer 1:00 mid-way point, the first to move from the rim was Spicey P (18-1, Steve Wilson) who advanced all the way to second while first over at the 1:28.3 third station.
Under a hand drive, Rock Candy exploded at the head of the stretch to gain the advantage over a fast-closing Vel Mr Nice Guy. The pacesetter prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58. Also owned by his trainer Zach Vickerson, the 9-year-old son of Pet Rock returned $2.20.
Time For George (Dave Ingraham) finished third.
Vickerson and Switzer Jr. also teamed up for the swiftest race of the day when Rau Rau held off a late charge by Instant Replay (2-1, Shawn Thayer) to complete the wire-to-wire circuit in 1:57. Vickerson owns the 7-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight, who paid $3.00 in the 6th race, winning the $4,800 conditioned pace by a head.
The Vickerson and Switzer Jr. duo came back in the 11th race, $4,600 pace to fashion a third gate-to-wire rout, scoring with Sheriff N in 2:01. Once again, owned by Vickerson, the 11-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight was the heavy 1-9 favorite and returned $2.20 for his measured-length triumph.
In other news, James Doucette captured the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club event with his own Ahoy Hanover. Trained by Autym Sowers, the 4-year-old son Captaintreacherous was parked the last half and wore down the 4/5 favorite Never Say Never N (Todd Whitney) who cut the fractions. Tripping the timer in 1:58.3, it was the second victory of the season for the 25-year-old Doucette, who returned $4.60.
Leading reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. added to his monstrous lead in the drivers standings, steering a total of five winners on the 13-race program. Switzer Jr. now has 104 wins this year at Cumberland, double that of his nearest competitor McGwire Sowers who has 52. Aaron Hall and Steve Wilson each grabbed a pair while Dave Ingraham got to within one win of his 8,000 victory threshold.
Horsemen are reminded to check the new condition sheet and our website for a host of exciting Winter Pop-Up Series for the month of December. Boasting up to $179,000 in purses, the races have increased prizes, as well as consolations and finals, for the six different events available.
Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card.
The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.
Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing next week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5. The Au Revoir Retirement ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 20. Entries close Wednesday (Dec. 3).
The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025. Post time remains 10:55 am.
