April 19, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Two familiar faces around the close knit Maine harness racing circuit got back into the winners circle on Saturday (April 18) at Cumberland Raceway, giving fans and the horse’s individual connections something the cheer about.
Little Macabee found this week’s assignment much to his liking, as veteran teamster Dave Ingraham fed the horse racetrack and he responded by looping the group to victory.
In the third race, a $4,800 conditioned trot Ingraham wasted little time getting rolling and put the 12-year-old son of Chapter Seven out on a bee line for the front, with the pylon-sitting Pax Hanover (Andy Harrington) parking him to the front into a :30 second opening panel.
From that point the duo had things their own way, backing down the half to 1:01.2, which flushed Top Down and Mike Stevenson from the caboose. At the 1:32 third panel the aggressor had reached the pacesetter and was breathing down his neck. Around the final turn Stevenson had Top Down at Little Macabee’s saddle pad, but the favorite never faltered as the handy trotter cruised home a length winner in 2:02.1.
Trained by Eric Bickmore for owner Maryann Tompkins, it was his 46th lifetime victory and second of the season. He returned $4.60 and increased his bankroll to $297,064. Pax Hanover finished third.
Nikasa N took the featured race of the day, which was the $5,400 race nine $7,500-$12,500 claiming handicap. Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for owner/trainer Russell Lanpher III, the 10-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight picked up a 1:59.2 seasonal mark, returning $8.20.
Commander Cathy N (Aaron Hall) finished second; Mulligan Philly (Nick Graffam) was third.
In other news, while demonstrating a triumphant return to his freshmen form, former 2-year-old Maine Sire Stakes champion trotting colt Whatawonder wired the field in the $4,200 race twelve conditioned trot, harking back to a season where the youngster won ten races on the season and appeared virtually unstoppable.
Driven by Ken Watson for owner/breeder Barbara Lawson, the 4-year-old son of Whataworkout now has 12 lifetime victories and $168,411 in career earnings. He is now trained by Shannon Watson and picked up a 2:04 seasonal mark, returning $14.40.
Driver Nick Graffam had another big day, winning five races on the program.
Racing continues on Sunday (April 19) with a jam-packed 14-race program of full fields which features two individual Pick 5 wagers, the first in races 1-5, and the second in races 6-10.
First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring season with this weekend being the final Saturday and Sunday programs being offered in the near term. 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 always 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. The lone exception will be Saturday (May 2) when the track will offer wagering on the 152nd Kentucky Derby and the full card live from Churchill Downs, with the first post for live harness racing set for 2:45 pm.
A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:
