July 12, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. won nearly half the races on the 13-race card at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (July 11), including the co-features.

With the Maine Amateur Driving Club Race in the opener (Todd Whitney), Switzer got things going as early as he could—in the second race.

In the late half of the early double Switzer put Rau Ru on the front end in the $4,600 Claiming Pace (6,000 tag) and never looked back.  Winning by 5-3/4 lengths in 1:56.2, it was the swiftest race of the day for owner-trainer Zach Vickerson.  They returned $2.20.

Switzer Jr. came right back in the third with Coach Cutsinger (1:57.2, $3.20) for trainer Randy Bickmore which paid $3.20.  Then the black and blue-clad teamster won the co-featured $5,200 NW2550 with Rock Candy in 1:56.4.  Also owned and trained by Vickerson, he returned $2.40.

In the eighth race Switzer Jr. finished second and was placed first with Quatrain Blue Chip, returning $2.80.

Familiar face Sheriff N took charge in the eleventh and enjoyed a pillar to post rout in 1:56.4.  Also owned and trained by Zach Vickerson, he paid $3.80 with Switzer Jr aboard.

Finally, Switzer Jr. closed out his six win afternoon with an off the pace score behind Mallard.  Getting up under the shadow of the wire in 1:59, the Bob Marston-trained steed paid a whopping $24.40.

Driver Nick Graffam enjoyed a hat trick on the program, and veteran driver-trainer John Nason won a pair with his own Ridgecrest Dan (1:57.4, $5.00) and Cheri’s Choice (1:58.1, $3.80).

Kevin Switzer Jr. continues his reign atop the leader board with 74 seasonal victories at First Tracks Cumberland.  Nick Graffam (58) and Aaron Hall (49) round out the top three.

Michelle Lefebvre has 49 training wins for current conditioner honors, followed by Bob Marston who has 36.

Racing resumes on Friday (July 17) in concert with the track’s Friday – Saturday schedule for the remainder of the month.  The only exception being a three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet. 

First post is 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/

July 11, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – With their seasonal hopes on the line, the Maine faithful sent this year’s group of freshmen sidesteppers out onto the Cumberland Raceway on Friday (July 10) for three $14,000 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

With nothing but a qualifying race or two under their belts the fresh-faced youngsters provided some thrills, and some anxious moments, for the Downeast crowd at the iconic Southern oval.

Despite being rough gaited as the wings folded Agent James Bond (9-5, Kevin Switzer Jr.) rolled on aggressively and then inherited the point when the favorite Dudeisadelight (4-5, Ron Cushing) made a speed break down the backstretch as the first division headed toward their very first pari-mutuel :30 opening panel.

Agent James Bond led the single file pack to a 1:00.4 half-mile marker with Dudeisadelight back on-stride tracking along in the pocket and Survive The Ride (6-1, Aaron Hall) poised in third.  At the paddock draw gate Painter’s Treasure (13-1, Andy Harrington) tipped from fifth and nine lengths in arrears to start the outer flow.  They reached the third stanza in 1:30.4 with Survive The Ride providing Painter’s Treasure with second over cover as they rounded the turn for home.

Harrington tipped Painter’s Treasure three-wide for the stretch drive and reeled in his combatants to prevail by a neck in 2:02.1 for trainer Sara Harrington.

Owned and bred by Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps, the son State Treasurer is a half-brother to Glorilla p,3,1:56f ($101,421).  He paid a whopping $28.60 to win the first race of his career.

Agent James Bond finished second; Dudeisadelight was third.

The second $14,000 division was a gate-to-wire romp by The Gucci Man and Kevin Switzer Jr.

Setting strategic early fractions of :29.1 and 1:01.1, the son of Dude’s The Man was able to gain separation after a 1:30.4 third panel and win by 6-3/4 lengths in 2:00.2, the swiftest division of the 81 degree afternoon.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, the 2-1 second choice returned $6.00 while posting a :29.3 final quarter.  Harriman (9-1, Nick Graffam), a half-brother to Cousin Margie p,3,1:54h ($126,532) finished second; favorite Rustysonlytreasure (8-5, Aaron Hall) was third.

In the third and final $14,000 division of the Maine Sire Stakes it was another wire-to-wire triumph for Top Notch Treasure who completed the circuit in 2:02.2.

Driver Mike Stevenson set comfortable fractions of :30.4, 1:03, and 1:32.4 before drawing off to win by six lengths as the 3-5 favorite.

Trained by Christopher Dubois for owner Steven Moskowitz Racing, Top Notch Treasure is a State Treasurer half-brother to This Dudes Perfect p,4,1:56.3h ($87,699).  He was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe and returned $3.20.

Justcallmebuddy (8-5, Aaron Hall) a Deuce Seelster full brother to Justcallmebuck p,4,1:51f ($212,960) finished second; Two Bolts (16-1, Mike Cushing) was third.

Driver Nick Graffam led all drivers with four wins on the 13-race program, including a victory in the overnight featured $6,400 NW5000 Trot with Party At Seven (1:58.4, $12.80).

Racing continues on Saturday (July 11) in keeping with the track’s Friday – Saturday schedule for the remainder of the month.  The only exception being a three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet. 

First post is 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

July 9, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Chris Tully photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Three $14,000 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings bolster Friday’s (July 10) 13-race card at Cumberland Raceway, with the freshmen sidesteppers all making their first pari-mutuel starts.

The first division is slated as race three and features several full- or half-brothers to previous Maine Sire Stakes stars.  Many had taken advantage of the baby races held at Cumberland over the last several weeks, with several who had taken qualifying marks in those preliminary events.

The co-favorite from post two is part of a tandem from the Tardif Taskforce is Survive The Ride (3-1, Aaron Hall) who is a Deuce Seelster full brother to Mrs Foxy Roxy p,4,1:57h ($111,990).  Scoring from pylon position is Dudeisadelight (7-2, Ron Cushing) who is a Dude’s The Man half-brother to Hesjustadelight p,4,1:52.4f ($221,169).  In addition, Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps sends Painter’s Treasure (5-1, Andy Harrington) into the mix, who is a State Treasurer half-brother to Glorilla p,3,1:56f ($101,421).

The second $14,000 division is led by Rustysonlytreasure (5-1, Aaron Hall) who is the first foal from the successful racemare Rusty’s Treasure p,4,1:55.3f ($192,258).  Tardif also sends One Last Deal (9-2, Andy Harrington) who is a Dude’s The Man half-brother to Deal With It Roman p,1:55.1h ($214,082), who he also owns and bred.  M&L Of Delaware, who had an ownership interest in Dude’s The Man while he raced, bred Duderrific (7-2, Heath Campbell), a half-brother to Manador p,2,1:54.4.f ($102,155).

The third and final division of the Maine Sire Stakes features Justcallmebuddy (5-1, Aaron Hall) a Deuce Seelster full brother to 4 in 1:55 or faster and the winners of nearly a million dollars, including Justcallmebuck p,4,1:51f ($212,960).  Tardif sends out They Call Me Jaws (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.), a Thirty Two Red half-brother to Whisper Of Luck p,4,1:57.2h ($100,662).  Rounding out the top three is Top Notch Treasure (7-1, Mike Stevenson) who is a State Treasurer half-brother to  This Dudes Perfect p,4,1:56.3h ($87,699).

Racing continues on Saturday (July 11) in keeping with the track’s Friday – Saturday schedule for the remainder of the month.  The only exception being a three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet. 

First post is 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

July 5, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Sophomore trotting filly Hayden put her name in the record books on the country’s 250^th birthday, equaling the track record in her division on Saturday (July 4) at Cumberland Raceway.

In the $14,000 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old distaff trotters the daughter of Cantab Fashion wasted little time taking command with trainer-driver Gary Hall sending the 2/5 favorite out for an early lead.   With 9-5 second choice Pembroke Lady (Heath Campbell) tipping out and challenging the leader going to the :30 second first panel, the bold move lasted a only few strides before ducking back in the two hole. 

Hall let out a notch on Hayden after heading into the softer 1:01.2 midway point, prompting Mike Cushing to pull Our Last Quote and begin the outer flow.  That challenge was relatively short-lived as that 6-1 third choice ducked back into the gap left open by a stalling Pembroke Lady as the field passed the third station in 1:31.1.

Around the turn and down the stretch Hayden and Hall continued to put distance between themselves and their pursuers, drawing off by 4-1/2 lengths to score in a track record equaling 2:01.1.

Owned and bred by Stephen Hall, it was the second seasonal victory for Hayden, along with a new time badge.  She returned $2.80 for the fourth win of her career.

Our Last Quote finished second; Race Me Boomer was third.

In the other $14,783 Maine Sire Stakes division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings, last week’s victor Wilder N Idy continued to show his racing prowess.  Cutting early fractions of :30 and 1:01.4 the son of To The Hilt showed no signs of slowing down.

As is par for the course, Athearn gave his colt a second-quarter breather and then tapped the accelerator and brushed through a 1:31 third panel.  Down the stretch, the duo continued to gain separation and sprinted home a 4-3/4 length winner in 2:00.2, a new lifetime mark.

Wilder and Ivy is trained by Gretchen Athearn and owned by Patricia Leavitt.  Bred by the late Mike Andrew, he now has $122,322 in lifetime earnings.

The early, non-wagering race was the second seasonal outing, and victory, for Wilder N Idy.  Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) finished second; Trottinfortreasure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

Racing resumes on Friday (July 10) and will continue with a Friday – Saturday schedule for the remainder of the month.  The only exception being a three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet. 

First post is 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