April 17, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – With some of the top trotters at Cumberland Raceway taking a week off, veteran high-stepper Little Macabee found a class on Saturday (April 18) that fits his résumé perfectly.
The 12-year-old son of Chapter Seven has been knocking heads against the tougher group following a victory in the NW2500L4 three starts ago. Now that he lands back in similar company, the Maryann Tompkins-owned Little Macabee has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite. Trained by Eric Bickmore, the horse was 1-2-3 in nearly half his starts last year, earning $22,835. With Dave Ingraham at the controls, the lifetime earner of $294,664 should be the horse to beat from post five.
His primary threat will come from recent victor Pax Hanover (pp 1, Andy Harrington) who man-handled a weaker bunch last time out, and drops back into this group of war-hardened troupers vying for the $4,800 race three kitty.
The featured race of the day pits five pacing mares against post position and each other in the $5,400 race nine $7,500-$12,500 claiming handicap.
The early morning line favorite is Commander Cathy N (pp 3, Aaron Hall) who has a win and two seconds in her last three starts. With $342,083 in her pocketbook, she is nearly as well-heeled as the top-tagged Nikasa N (pp 5, Kevin Switzer Jr.) who boasts $351,158 and 41 lifetime victories.
Also worth a look is Mulligan Philly (pp 2, Nick Graffam) who has form and post position in her favor, as she is reaching for her third victory in a row.
The 13-race program kicks into gear at 12:15 pm, with full fields and plenty of opportunity.
The exotic action starts with a Pick-5 in the opener, then the Pick-4 is set for the last four races on the program (races 10-13), with the Pick-3 beginning in race 11. 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.
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 marking 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:
