May 10, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Former Maine Sire Stakes standout Gowestyounggrace secured her second consecutive victory on Saturday (May 9) at Cumberland Raceway, providing fans a glimpse of her previous championship form.

Leaving swiftly from the gate the 5-year-old daughter of Western Maverick pinned her ears and pushed swiftly onward from post five, with Nikasa N (11-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) alongside through the turn.  By the time the field straightened out past the paddock turn and down the backstretch ‘Grace’ was comfortably in command while setting a snappy :28.2 opening panel.

The even-money favorite reduced the tempo to :59.3 while leading the pack to the half.  Commander Cathy N (3-1, Aaron Hall) was enjoying a pocket trip, with Nikasa N in third.  The first to pull the right line was James Doucette and Shesinqredible Deo (17-1) as the field tightened, who flushed the cover of Ga Speed Matrix (4-1, Mike Stevenson) as they rounded the third turn.

Down the backstretch the first-up Ga Speed Matrix was at the wheels of the pacesetting Gowestyounggrace as the field hit the third stanza in 1:29.1.  Around the turn and down the stretch the aggressors tried valiantly to reel in the leader, but to no avail as the expeditious mare hit her stride and strode home by a measured 1-1/2 lengths in 1:58.2, a new seasonal mark.

Owned, trained and bred by Fred Ward Jr. and Sharon Ward, it was the mare’s second straight win in as many starts which brought her lifetime earnings to $242,409.  She returned $4.00 to grab her 23rd career victory in the $6,000 NW3500 conditioned fillies and mares pace.

Ga Speed Matrix finished second; Commander Cathy N was third.

The richest and swiftest race of the day was captured by Jones Hanover in 1:56.3.  The $6,400 conditioned NW5000 pace was a wire-to-wire rout for driver Kevin Switzer Jr. and owner-trainer David McLellan, returning $3.00.

Top reinsman Nick Graffam had two wins on the 10-race program, as did Aaron Hall and McGwire Sowers.  Graffam leads all Cumberland drivers with 35 seasonal victories, followed by Kevin Switzer Jr. (27) and Aaron Hall (25).

Racing resumes on Friday (May 15) for the fourth of six weekends of Friday-Saturday racing, which runs through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the month of June. 

First post is always 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:

Racing Info

May 9, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – When Maine’s top trotters tussled in Friday’s (May 8) $7,000 feature at First Tracks Cumberland the co-favorites used two completely different tactics while chasing pay dirt.

As the wings on the Wes Brown starting gate folded the 3-1 co-favorite Big Al M (Zach Vickerson) was met with an inside challenge by To My Credit (16-1, Alex MacDonald) who blasted out to a blistering :28.3 opening panel.  Vickerson relented and ducked into the two-hole, which was about five lengths in front of the other co-favorite Brutalizer (3-1, Andy Harrington) who was sitting chilly in fourth.

Harrington wasted little time vaulting his charge into the outer flow as the pair were rolling first up, which was well before the 1:01.3 half-mile marker.  As the pacesetter was busy reducing the tempo, the rest of the field was packed tightly and in hot pursuit with Big Al M locked in the box around the paddock turn and Top Down (9-1, Mike Stevenson) second over.

While the pacesetting To My Credit was grinding it out on the front end gamely, Brutalizer was inching closer and closer to the top as the field brushed down the backstretch into a swifter 1:31.3 third panel.  Even though Brutalizer may have lost a little momentum in the final turn, he quickly regained his speed as the field turned for home and was able to track down the leader and prevail by half of a length in 2:01.3.

Trained by Sara Harrington for owner Kyle Gibbs, the 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector picked up his third win of the season and 13^th lifetime victory, increasing his career spoils to $145,862.

Brutalizer returned $8.00 to win with To My Credit finishing second.  The exacta returned $25.70.

Top Down was third and Big Al M finished fourth-placed-fifth for a violation of the pylon rules while in deep stretch.

Leading reinsman Nick Graffam had three wins on the 12-race program.

Racing continues on Saturday (May 9) with a 10-race program and is the second half of the third of six weekends of Friday-Saturday racing, which runs through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the month of June. 

First post is always 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:https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/

May 7, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – While the horse racing world is still buzzing about the Standardbred connection to Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Cherie DeVaux, Cumberland Raceway gets back to business on Friday (May 8) with a trotting rivalry that has also shown no signs of slowing down.

Around the time DeVaux and Jose Ortiz (the winning KY Derby jockey) were busy throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium, the connections of Brutalizer and Big Al M were finishing their stable duties and caring for the favorites in advance of Friday’s $7,000 Winners Over Trot.

With both horses owning a two-win record this season, and having faced each other on multiple occasions since mid-March, they also exchanged blows in several bouts during November and December at the iconic Southern Maine oval. 

The early morning line favorite from post seven is Big Al M (2-1, Zach Vickerson) who got stung three-wide into a :28.3 opening panel last week, cut the rest of the fractions and got overtaken by his nemesis in the closing round, just before the bell.  The more seasoned of the two trotting titans, Big Al M has 34 lifetime wins and $533,580.  The 8-year-old son of Anders Bluestone needs just three more victories to tie Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira’s UFC record.

Brutalizer who will score from post six for Andy Harrington is listed at 5-2 and carries the swagger of his last victory into the fight, with 12 career decisions and $142,362 in the pot.  A model of consistency, the 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector has never been worse than third in his last 16 starts.  One could argue that he has youth and form in his corner.

Nonetheless, the former Maine Sire Stakes champion trotting mare Pembroke Breeze will take her 5-year-old bow for the driver/trainer team of Heath Campbell and Valerie Grondin.  A winner of $211,299 lifetime with 19 wins, she loves the Cumberland oval and won by 7-1/2 in 1:58 her last time Downeast.  She is listed at 7-2 from post four and should not be overlooked.

The exotic wagering action starts with a Pick-5 in the opener, then the Pick-4 is set for the last four races on the program (races 9-12).  The Pick-3 begins in race 10, and all boast a low 16% takeout.  In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four, six, and eight, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale.

Racing continues on Saturday (May 9) with a 10-race program and is the second half of the third of six weekends of Friday-Saturday racing, which runs through the month of May.  After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the month of June. 

First post is always 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:

Racing Info

May 3, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Wally Watson cut the fractions and prevailed with Yamaka in the 1-1/4 mile ‘distance race’ $7,000 Cumberland Derby on Saturday (May 2) at First Tracks Cumberland, while racing enthusiasts filled the apron and the grandstand wearing their Kentucky Derby best attire.

The field of six conditioned pacers lined up in front of the Derby Day fans while starter Wes Brown led the group around the paddock turn to a unique start on the backstretch.  Watson sent the 9-5 favorite Yamaka out from post five and was parked going into the the turn by the pylon sitting Ahoy Hanover (7-2, James Doucette).

After the first bend, Yamaka was on top and well in control of the tempo, leading the pack into a :32.3 opening panel.  Ahoy Hanover continued to track in second with Urika Blue Chip (11-1, Jason Bertonlini) sitting in third.  Past the 1:04.3 half Bertolini tipped Urika Blue Chip to engage the leader into a 1:35.2 third panel.  That brought Airspinder (3-1, Dave Ingraham) into position second over to roll in the outer flow.

Down the backside the final time the tempo increased and Airspinder was sent three wide to advance his stalled cover, with the pacesetting Yamaka keeping all the aggressors at bay through the 2:05 mile time.

As the field made haste down the stretch Yamaka could not be caught and Watson raised his whip triumphantly as they crossed the finish wire in 2:35.1.

Trained by Christopher Dubois for owner Steve Moskowitz Racing, the 12-year-old son of American Ideal picked up his 36^th lifetime victory and second of the season.  His career earnings now exceed $256,000.  He returned $5.60.

Ahoy Hanover fought back gamely to retain second; Lenwoods Real Deal (Mike Stevenson) was third.

Aaron Hall and Mike Stevenson both had grand slams on the 12-race card, with Wally Watson grabbing a double.

Racing resumes on Friday (May 8), with Friday-Saturday racing at First Tracks Cumberland running 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:

Racing Info

May 2, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – This week’s battle of Maine’s top trotters did not disappoint as Brutalizer renewed his year-long battle with Big Al M and emerged the victor on Friday (May 1) at First Tracks Cumberland.

When the field sprang from the starting car several leavers pushed aggressively into the first turn.  Brutalizer (4, Andy Harrington) had both Jax Spratt (5, Aaron Hall) and Big Al M (6, Zach Vickerson) at his wheels around the first turn, with Jax Spratt eventually dropping back into the pocket down the backside, forcing Big Al M to forge on to the top and set a taxing :28.3 opening panel.

When the dust settled Big Al M (3-1) reduced the tempo into a :58.4 half with the 3-5 favorite Brutalizer sitting in a tight pocket and Jax Spratt (4-1) in third.  Down the backstretch for the final time Hunter Lofthus tipped Amalie Hanover from sixth and flushed the cover High Gear No Fear (Nick Graffam) who now led the charge first over from fourth.  But the leaders kept up their rigorous pursuit as Big Al M reached the third station in 1:28.4, with Brutalizer stalking and ready to pounce.

At the apex of the final turn Harrington tipped his charge to the outside and began the assault on his nemesis, gaining ground with every stride.  Big Al M fought gamely right down to the wire as the pair exchanged blows until the finish, with Brutalizer prevailing over Big Al M by a quarter length in 2:00.1, a new seasonal mark.

Trained by Sara Harrington for owner Kyle Gibbs, the 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector picked up his second win in five seasonal starts.  A model of consistency, the horse has not been worse than third all year, earning $10,940 in just a handful of outings.  He returned $3.40.

Jax Spratt maintained his position for the show dough.

Both Harrington and Mike Stevenson enjoyed driving doubles on the afternoon card.

Racing resumes on Saturday (May 2), which also known as ‘Kentucky Derby Day’ when Cumberland Raceway hosts its own $7,000 ‘Derby’ that covers the iconic one and a quarter mile distance for a speedy set of local pacers.

Slated as race eight in a twelve-event card, the track offers a special first post time of 2:45 pm.

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. 

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:

Racing Info