June 22, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Heath Campbell came from way off the pace and thundered down the lane with longshot Instant Replay to catch heavy favorite Massive Speed in Sunday’s (June 21) $5,200 co-featured overnight pace at Cumberland Raceway.
When the Wes Brown starting car sped away from the frisky field of sidesteppers driver Aaron Hall sent the 1-5 public choice Massive Speed out for an early lead. On top before the apex of the first turn, Hall cruised to a modest :29.2 opening panel, with Yamaka (10-1, Wally Watson) sitting second. At that stage Instant Replay (27-1, Heath Campbell) had settled into sixth position, some seven lengths back from the front.
Past the half the field was in perfect alignment through that :59.1 station, with no outer flow. Around the paddock turn Nick Graffam pulled Luckisontheway with PBR Street Gang (Andy Harrington) picking up that cover. Just past the 1:28.4 third stanza Heath Campbell tipped Instant Replay third over, and then edged out three-wide around the final turn to start picking off horses as they rolled down toward the wire.
Fifth at the head of the stretch and barreling down the center of the racetrack, while the pacesetting Massive Speed and the pocket-sitting Yamaka were engaging in their own battle, Instant Replay would swoop them all to prevail by a nose in 1:58.
Trained by Kimberly Vafiades for owner Lawrence Huckins, the 6-year-old son of Lazarus N picked up his second win of the year and 22nd lifetime. His career earnings now sit at $130,932. For the horse’s efforts, his backers were rewarded with a $57.40 payout to win on a 2-dollar ticket.
Immediately thereafter Touch Of Character strolled to a wire-to-wire score in a seasonal best 1:56.2, taking the $5,800 NW3500 Pace. Driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Mike Cushing, it was the fifth win in a row for the 10-year-old son of Shady Character. Owned by Darrell Tibbetts, he returned $19.80.
Also on the Sunday (June 21) card was a pair of Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore trotters.
The $15,486 division for 3-year-old trotting fillies was captured by Hayden for trainer-driver Gary Hall in 2:04.3. Making every call a winning one, the daughter of Cantab Fashion paid $12.40. Favorite Pembroke Lady (Heath Campbell) finished second. In an early $14,783 division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings last year’s freshman champion Wilder N Ivy made quick work of his assignment, winning by 2-1/2 lengths in 2:01.4. Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn, the son of To The Hilt is owned by Patricia Leavitt.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr., who just surpassed the 4,000 lifetime win threshold, enjoyed three wins on the program, including two wins with horses trained by Zach Vickerson. Trainer Lisa Watson won a pair of races, with both winners piloted by her husband Wally Waston.
Next week is First Tracks Cumberland’s final June weekend of Saturday-Sunday cards. During July the schedule reverts back to Friday-Saturday, with the exception of the three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet. In addition, there will be no racing Friday, July 3, a federal holiday.
First post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.
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