December 15, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Aaron Hall and trainer Jamie Gerard grabbed two of the three $8,500 divisions of the Dasher Pop-up Series at Cumberland on Sunday (Dec. 14) amid intermittent snow fall.

Echos Sharkie lined up in fourth position behind the Wes Brown starting gate ready to roll, with fans squinting through the snowflakes catch all the winter action.  No post position has accounted for more victories than post four at Cumberland this season, with 100 winners springing into action from the center of the racetrack.  Echos Sharkie was no different, as the field gapped his cover through modest fractions of :31.2 and to the 1:03 half.

During the first circuit Never Say Never N (4/1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) sat a loose pocket, with the 3-5 favorite Circling The Prey (Nick Graffam) getting away fourth.  Heading to the five-eighths marker The Big Aristotle (22-1, Chris Long) came first over to challenge with the Circling The Prey grabbing that cover second over into a swifter 1:32.3 third panel.

Around the final turn the pacesetting Echos Sharkie gained some separation as the favorite swung three-wide around fading cover.  Through the stretch no one could catch the 6-year-old son of Shadyshark Hanover, who scored in 2:02.1, well in-hand.

Driven by Aaron Hall for owner / trainer Jamie Gerard, it was his tenth win of the season and sixth victory in his last ten starts.  He returned $6.60 as the public’s second choice.

Circling The Prey got up for second; Never Say Never N was third.

Hall and Gerard teamed up again to take another $8,500 leg of the Dancer series with Quan Blue Chip in 2:01.1.  This time the 9-year-old son of Sunshine Beach left from pylon position and got away fourth amid a blistering :28.2 opening panel set by the headstrong 1-2 favorite Jones Hanover (Switzer).

Reys N A Ruckus (12-1, Chris Long) pulled going to the quarter pole which gave Quan Blue Chip and Hall live cover through the :59.2 half, and then tipped three-wide down the backside to swoop the front runners and score by two open lengths.

Trained by Jamie Gerard who co-owns with Hunter Lofthus, it was his seventh seasonal victory, returning $15.00.

Mr Fantasy (6-1, Andy Harrington) finished second; Jones Hanover hung on for third.

The third $8,500 leg of the Dasher series went to General Ward in 2:01.2.  Driven by Chris Long for trainer James Dunn and owner Diane Dunn, the 8-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere paid $9.00.

Two $8,500 legs of the Blitzen Pop-Up Series went to Rau Ru (2:00.2, $3.40) and Hespoisedtopounce A (2:02, $2.80).

Driver Aaron Hall enjoyed a four bagger, while Switzer Jr., Long and McGwire Sowers each picked up a pair.

Racing continues on Monday (Dec. 15) at First Tracks Cumberland with which is a rescheduled card from last Friday (Dec. 12). Post time for the first race is 10:55 am.

Cumberland Raceway’s final 3-day weekend of racing starts on Friday (Dec. 19), features the Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies on Saturday (Dec. 20), and concludes the Winter Festival on Sunday (Dec. 21).  Post time remains 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

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