March 29, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Looking for redemption, trusty trotter Brutalizer got his pay dirt on Saturday (March 28) as the even-money favorite cruised to a wire-to-wire victory in the $6,200 feature at First Tracks Cumberland.
While the 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector has been a model of consistency since finding his way into the Harrington Stable last November, he finished second during last week’s opener and has been primed for a bigger pay day.
The public’s choice was sent right to the top by driver by Andy Harrington from post five. After settling in on top for a 30.1 opening panel, the teamster continued set snappy fractions to keep any would-be spoilers at bay. Reaching the half in 1:00.4 the first to flush was Nice Guy Eddie (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.), who never was able to engage the punctual pacesetter.
By the 1:30.3 third stanza, Brutalizer’s only threat was the pocket sitting High Gear No Fear (7-1, Nick Graffam). Around the final turn and down the stretch the leader had kept all the pursuers in check and never drifted off the rail. His final knockout blow was a 30.1 final quarter, winning by a measured two lengths in 2:00.4.
Trained by Sara Harrington for owner Kyle Gibbs, it was the eleventh lifetime victory for Brutalizer. He paid $4.20 for his first win of the season.
High Gear No Fear finished second; it was a tight photo for show with Nice Guy Eddie prevailing by a whisker over Little Macabee (7-1, Dave Ingraham).
The sunny afternoon card started with Andrew Harrington lighting up the tote board with 42-1 longshot Royalty Again. Coming from off the pace to swoop the three leaders down at the wire, Harrington got his charge up in the final strides to win by a half-length in 1:59.3, returning $87.80. Royalty Again is trained by Randy Bickmore for owner Kevin Gee and picked up his eighth career win.
Wally Watson pulled off a bulb buster with 17-1 Skyway Ballet who danced three-wide down the backside to win in 2:00.1 for owner-trainer Ryan Berry. The 9-year-old mare paid $37.40 in race six. Two races later the same connections (Watson-Berry) scored with Juneparker, returning $27.60.
Fans and horse people alike were pleased to welcome Walter Case Jr. back to the winners circle following a nine month absence. The 65-year-old, former leading national dash winner, sent J S Peyton on a gate-to-wire frolic, prevailing in 2:02.4 in race nine. Trained by Benson Merrill for owners John and Thelma Kiernan, he paid $6.60.
‘Casey’ sits ninth atop North America’s dash win list among all-time active drivers with 11,526 victories, but until last week, his most recent starts were during June 2025.
Racing continues on Sunday (March 29) with a 13-race card of full fields. The featured $7,000 winners over pace once again includes the area’s swiftest sidesteppers in race eight. All of the action can be viewed in its entirety directly through the Racetrack Television Network with replays available on our website.
For Sunday, the exotic wagering menu starts with our 50-cent Pick-5 in the opener. The Pick-4 begins with the last four races on the program (races 10-13) and Pick-3 gets going in the eleventh race. All boast a low 16% takeout. In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four, six, eight and ten, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale.
First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday each weekend through the month of April. The only exception is no racing on Easter Sunday (April 5).
Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May. After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June.
First post is slated for 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.
A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:
