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.
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