April 30, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Saturday’s (May 2) Kentucky Derby must be a big deal in Southern Maine as Cumberland Raceway has a $7,000 ‘Derby’ of their own that also covers the iconic one and a quarter mile distance.
Although a trio of decimal points separates the purse of the two events, the connections of the horses in the Cumberland Derby will be cheering just as loud. Slated as race eight in a twelve-event card with a special first post time of 2:45 pm, the local Derby should go off a few of hours into the Mint Juleps, and less than two hours before the champagne toast at Churchill Downs.
The morning line favorite in the ten furlong test is Yamaka (2-1, Wally Watson) who won his last start at Cumberland a week ago in a snappy 1:57.4. Trained by Chris DuBois, the 12-year-old son of American Ideal has earned $252,570 with 35 wins lifetime.
Local favorite Airspinder (5-2, Dave Ingraham) has raced, and won, at Cumberland every season since First Tracks first opened and has 36 career wins with $236,927 in purses made. Bred in Delaware, the 10-year-old son of No Spin Zone (The Panderosa) has had nearly a dozen different owners since 2019, but has stayed with owner/trainer David Sawyer since July 2023.
Fans and bettors can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Saturday’s 152nd Run for the Roses. Doors open at 12 noon for the full-card simulcast of horse racing’s biggest event, with a host of food and beverage options available all day at First Tracks Cumberland.
The Derby Day card is preceded by Friday’s (May 1) regular program with a first post of 12:15 pm.
Friday-Saturday racing at First Tracks Cumberland runs throughout the month of May. After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the month of June.
The extended pari-mutuel meeting runs through August 2.
A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:
