April 5, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Saturday’s (April 4) solo day of racing at Cumberland included enough excitement to last the entire weekend as No Bettor Joy upset in the feature, and an equipment malfunction caused a wild chain of events that could only be described as ‘unusual.’
While bettors were still double checking their Pick 5 tickets with the $7,500 guarantee, the first race of the day set off a series of actions that would have even the most seasoned players and horse people shaking their heads in disbelief.
In the opener the 2-1 favorite Threetimessix and Wally Watson had been in command since the start and were rolling comfortably down the backstretch toward the third station. It appears as that the inside head pole base became dis-attached from its terret strap on the harness and fell to the track.
Somehow, someway, that apparatus bounced all the way back to interfere with Scarlet Moon, a horse driven by Walter Case Jr. that was sitting third over in sixth, and became lodged within the spokes of the left wheel of the sulky. This caused the wheel to ‘brake’ heavily and skid along the surface, thus forcing the driver to pull up and not finish the race.
Charging down the lane with the front end of the head pole dangling, Threetimessix and Wally Watson were nipped at the wire by a nose in 2:02.1 by Delightful Virgin and Dave Ingraham, returning $56.60.
Following a long inquiry, the judges determined that Threetimessix did indirectly interfere with Scarlet Moon, and was therefore disqualified from second and placed seventh.
Subsequently, the talk of the town was not racing gear but driver Nick Graffam who when on to win the third, fourth, fifth and sixth races for a natural grand slam.
Graffam had the favorite JL’s Rock Star in the feature, however Mike Stevenson was able to capture that race with No Better Joy in 1:58.4. Trained by Johnathan Bresnahan for owner Robert MacNeil, the 8-year-old son of Betterthancheddar returned $12.40 to win.
JL’s Rock Star was second; Bare Bone (Andy Harrington) was third.
Graffam went on to win another two races on the 13-race card giving the teamster six wins on the program. That domination of the program vaulted Graffam into first place in the drivers standings with 14 victories, followed by Aaron Hall (12) and Kevin Switzer Jr. (10).
Because of the Easter holiday, there is no racing on Sunday (April 5). Racing resumes on Saturday (April 11).
First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday for the next two weeks in April. 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:
