Jax Spratt has it down pat at Cumberland

December 14, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Three $7,500 divisions of the Prancer Pop-up Series went postward at Cumberland on Saturday (Dec. 13) with Jax Spratt grabbing his second leg in as many weeks.

Sent off as the 1-5 favorite, Jax Spratt proceeded to scat away from the starting car, putting the rest of the field in behind him from post four. As the 5-year-old son of Devious Man led the field into a :30 opening panel, Kevin Switzer Jr. was tracking along in the pocket with Sunny’s Rebel.

Dropping the tempo substantially, the half was in a pedestrian 1:02.4, which was enough of a breather to ensure that no one could get to the public choice. After an early miscue Gemstone Pillar (Mike Stevenson) flushed the cover of Little Macabee (McGwire Sowers) as the field entered the backstretch the second time.

With a third panel in 1:33.3, and Little Macabee breathing down his neck, driver Aaron Hall exited the last turn and asked his charge for more trot. Jax Spratt responded with a :29.4 closing kick to put away any would-be upsetters by 1-1/2 lengths in a well-rated 2:03.2.

Also trained by Aaron Hall for owner Bill Phipps, it was his tenth win of the season and 29^th overall. His seasonal earnings have increased to $39,650, and he returned $2.60.

Sunny’s Rebel finished second by a whisker; Little Macabee was a late charging third.

It was an ownership double in the second $7,500 Prancer division as the 3-year-old Devious Lad came from off the pace to win against older horses in 2:03.3.

Smartly driven by Nick Graffam for trainer Mike Cushing and owners Bill Phipps and Janice Conner, it was the sophomore trotter’s fifth lifetime victory. The son of Devious Man paid a whopping $50.60. Motto (Sowers) finished second; Fomor (Andy Harrington) was third.

The third $7,500 Prancer leg was captured by J S Peyton (Nick Graffam) in 2:03.1, returining $5.00.

Four $5,000 legs of the Cupid Pop-Up Series were also on the Saturday card, and were captured by: Terror Hall (2:02.1, $3.20), Bettor N Joy (2:01.4, $10.60), Maching Time (2:01.4, $4.20) and Cutter Loose (2:02.1, $2.80).

Racing continues on Sunday (Dec. 14) at First Tracks Cumberland with five $8,500 divisions of the Blitzen and Dasher Pop-up series for pacers filling the twelve race card.

The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the ninth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

Post time for the first race is 10:55 am.

In addition, the card originally scheduled for Friday (Dec. 12) will race in its entirety with the same race numbers, post positions and horses on Monday (Dec. 15).

Cumberland Raceway will continue with three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) through Dec. 21, 2025. Post time remains 10:55 am.

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