October 5, 2026, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Due to a bumper crop of 2024 foals in the Pine Tree State, the Maine Sire Stakes was pleased to host a $25,000 consolation for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday (October 4) at the Cumberland Fair, the final day of racing at the iconic Downeast oval.
The field of seven went postward as race four on the 11-race card, with Poocham Luck (7-5) and Dave Ingraham grabbing the early lead, with Rustysonlytreasure (3-5) and Aaron Hall parked out from post seven and forced to trudge onward four-wide down the backside the first time into a :29.3 opening panel.
Rustysonlytreasure fought hoof and nail while parked with Poocham Luck along the cones through the second turn and into a :59.3 half with neither combatant giving an inch.
Down the backstretch the final time Rustysonlytreasure lost some ground on the pacesetter after his grueling trip past the third station in 1:30, leaving Poocham Luck well in command and pointing toward the finish.
Dave Ingraham had his charge on his toes while withstanding any would-be spoilers, scoring by four lengths in 2:01.3.
Trained by Mike Graffam for owner-breeder G. Russell Austin, the son of State Treasurer picked up his second and most prestigious win of the year, returning $4.80.
Mike Graffam also trained second place finisher Hollywood Chester (Joey Mosher) and South St Justin (Nick Graffam) who got up for the show dough.
Drivers Andy Harrington and Aaron Hall both picked up three wins on the final card of the Fair meet. Harrington led the Cumberland Fair with a total of 17 trips to the winners circle, with Hall nipping at his heels with 16 scores. Sara Harrington led all conditioners with 10 victories.
Now that the Cumberland Fair has concluded, New England horsemen will look forward to the track’s 15-day Winter Festival which begins November 8. The year-end meet primarily follows a three-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the season, until December 13. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 12.
October 4, 2026, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – There were plenty of fans on hand to witness the 2026 edition of the $320,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes Freshmen Finals on Saturday (October 3) at the Cumberland Fair with some likely favorites prevailing, along with an upset, which made for a great day of New England harness racing.
In the first $80,760 final for 2-year-old colts and geldings the battle was on again off again between Pembroke Zagursky (Heath Campbell) and U Know I Know (Ken Watson). Before and after the start every horse except the pacesetting favorite Pembroke Zagursky broke stride at one point or another in the race.
Heath Campbell protected his pylon position but Ken Watson wanted the top and drove his trotter right off his feet heading toward the blistering :28.4 opening panel in a failed attempt to take command.
Watson ultimately ducked U Know I Know into the pocket with the tempo reduced to 1:01.1 at the half. Half in, half out heading into the 1:32 third station, Watson finally committed to the outer flow while going around the final turn. Back two lengths at the head of the stretch U Know I Know had one last valiant effort to catch Pembroke Zagursky, but to no avail as the pacesetter prevailed by three parts of a length in 2:02.3.
Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner Brenda Varney, the son of Pembroke Slugger picked up his third, and most important win of the year. Bred by the late Bill Varney, he returned $2.80.
Come On Charlie (Mark Athearn) finished third.
In the third race, which was the $80,456 final for 2-year-old trotting fillies, it was all Princess Caledonia and trainer-driver-co-owner Gary Hall who made every call a winning one, winning in 2:04.1 by 2-1/2 lengths. Also owned by James Kelley Jr., Betsey Kelley and Kristina Hall, the daughter of To The Hilt returned $2.80.
She was bred by Anita ‘Bunny’ Anastosopoulos. Stable mate Mikella Bella (Heath Campbell) finished second; Cape Cod Friday (Dave Ingraham) was third.
The fifth race $81,016 final for 2-year-old pacing fillies, was led by the Pine Tree State-bred star No Small Wonder, who heretofore sported an unblemished record going into this event.
Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., wearing the blue and yellow colors of the recently deceased Alex MacDonald, the filly phenom and heavy 1-9 favorite left swiftly from post five and took the lead in the usual fashion.
The daughter of State Treasurer continued to pace unfettered through opening panels of :28.3 and :59.4 with Showfaith Showdown (Nick Graffam) sitting in the garden seat. However, heading to the half driver Aaron Hall moved Feel The Fury first over and was advancing swiftly toward the lead.
The 16-1 longshot Feel The Fury blasted down the backside the final time to look No Small Wonder right in the eye at the 1:28.3 third station. Those two fillies battled toe to toe around the final turn, leaving the rest of the field in their wake by five open lengths.
Somewhere during that final quarter of a mile No Small Wonder broke her check rein, which was dangling in the breeze but did not deter the filly from fighting back against her aggressor. The pair fought with equal tenacity down the stretch with Feel The Fury making one last momentous lunge to the wire to prevail by a neck and defeat the previously undefeated filly by a neck in a track record equaling 1:59.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Mr. Lesley Leighton, the daughter of State Treasurer had just one prior victory, but had been knocking on the door all season. She returned a whopping $35.20 to win the MaryEllen Stevenson Memorial. The winners circle was jammed packed with horse people and friends of local driver-trainer Mike Stevenson who lost his beloved wife last month.
The sixth race concluded the Maine Sire Stakes events with the $81,110 final for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, and, of course The Gucci Man who was the 3-5 favorite having had has just one defeat in eight seasonal outings. Switzer Jr. drove the son of Dude’s The Man to another pillar to post romp from post six, stopping the timer in 1:58.1, which was a new track record.
Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, he returned $3.20
Top Notch Treasure (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Painter’s Treasure (Andy Harrington) was third.
Our treasured outrider Sherry Cushing took the Harnessing Hope $5,500 All Women Drivers Breast Cancer Awareness Invitational with her own Gazitarena in 2:00.1. Co-owned with her step-daughter Jessica Clouser, they returned $5.40 in the wire-to-wire circuit.
Driver Aaron Hall enjoyed three wins on the afternoon program and now sits within one win of Andy Harrington who leads with 14 wins at the Fair.
Racing concludes at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Sunday (Oct. 4) with a 12:30 post time.
After the fair, the track’s 15-day Winter Festival begins November 8 and then primarily follows a three-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the season, until December 13. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 12.
October 3, 2026, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Two $16,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters went postward on Friday (October 2) at the Cumberland Fair, with the sophomore leaders continuing their dominance in their respective classes.
In the first $16,783 non-betting division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings it was Wilder N Idy who sat a perfect pocket trip to prevail over pacesetter Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) in 2:01. Driven by Mark Athearn to a quarter length victory, the son of To The Hilt is trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Patricia Leavitt.
Picking up his seventh win of the season, he leads the point standings leading up to the finals on Oct. 17 at Bangor Raceway. He was bred by the late Mike Andrew, and now has $178,294 in lifetime earnings.
Trottinfortreasure (Aaron Hall) was third.
In the second $17,711 event, which was held before the regular card, it was the fantastic filly Hayden who got roughed up in the opening sequence to come from behind and score by three parts of a length in 2:01.2.
Trained and driven by Gary Hall for owner-breeder Stephen Hall, the daughter of Cantab Fashion acquired her ninth seasonal victory and has remained the leading point earner throughout the year. Her career bankroll exceeds $122,000.
Our Last Quote (Steve Wilson) cut the fractions and finished second; Race Me Boomer (Andy Harrington) was third.
Driver Andy Harrington enjoyed another leading day, taking three wins on the regular program while topping all drivers at the Cumberland Fair with 14 trips to the winners circle. His Friday (Oct. 2) scores included the $6,200 feature with Arts Flight (1:55.4, $3.40) for trainer-wife Sara Harrington.
Racing resumes at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Saturday (Oct. 3) with the $320,000 Maine Sire Stakes Freshman Finals. The final day of fair racing at Cumberland will be Sunday (Oct. 4) and features a $25,000 Maine Sire Stakes consolation for freshmen male pacers. Post time is 12:30 for both weekend dates.
After the fair, the track’s 15-day Winter Festival begins November 8 and then primarily follows a three-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the season, until December 13. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 12.
October 2, 2026, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – The fields have been drawn and the connections await the $320,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes Freshmen Finals on Saturday (October 3) at the Cumberland Fair with all four divisions vying for over $80,000 in purse money.
In the first $80,760 final for 2-year-old colts and geldings the battle is between Pembroke Zagursky (Heath Campbell) and U Know I Know (Ken Watson. The former has bested the latter in his last two starts, breaking his previously unblemished record.
The third race is the $80,456 final for 2-year-old trotting fillies with Princess Caledonia (Gary Hall) the likely favorite. Hall also has Mikella Bella entered, with Heath Campbell getting the driving duties.
The fifth race is the $81,016 final for 2-year-old pacing fillies, led by the Pine Tree State-bred star No Small Wonder. The daughter of State Treasurer is unbeaten with eight wins this year. She scores from post five and retains the services of Kevin Switzer Jr.
The sixth race completes the Maine Sire Stakes events with the $81,110 final for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, and features The Gucci Man who has just one defeat in eight seasonal outings. Switzer Jr. will drive the son of Dude’s The Man for trainer Marc Tardif.
The Saturday (Oct. 3) card also carries a $15,000 Winners Over Trot, as well as the Harness Hope $5,500 All Women Drivers Breast Cancer Awareness Invitational. Our beloved outrider Sherry Cushing will trade her saddle for a harness and compete in the benefit event, along with six other local, female teamsters.
Looking back to Thursday (Oct. 1) Heath Campbell drove Valyrian Steel to victory in the $6,400 featured conditioned trot in 2:01.2. Trained by Kate Gerow for owner Chad Tompkins, the 7-year-old son of Chapter Seven was parked to the opening panel and led the rest of the way, returning $3.80.
Driver Andy Harrington enjoyed four wins on the afternoon program and now leads all drivers at the Cumberland Fair with 11 trips to the winners circle.
Racing resumes at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Friday (Oct. 2) with full cards scheduled for the remaining racing dates through Sunday (Oct. 4), with 12:30 post times throughout the week.
Always a highlight of the ‘Always in September’ Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continues at Cumberland with all the 3-year-old trotters competing in the sophomore divisions on Friday (Oct. 2).
After the fair, the track’s 15-day Winter Festival begins November 8 and then primarily follows a three-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the season, until December 13. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 12.
October 1, 2026, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – The unstoppable filly phenom Snowonthepines added a twentieth notch to her belt on Wednesday (September 30) at the Cumberland Fair during the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old filly pacers.
In her $17,209 event, which was held before the card, the champion filly had only air and opportunity in front of her as her regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. sent the daughter of Dude’s The Man on a front-end tour of the facility.
Passing the early stations in :30.2 and 1:02.2 with Ekorus (Joey Mosher) sitting in the pocket, Snowonthepines continued her air of superiority as no horses entered the outer flow to challenge for the lead.
After passing the third panel in 1:32 it was clear that the filly had things her own way and was on her way to another easy score, prevailing by 2-1/2 lengths in a modest 2:02.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, it was the sophomore filly’s 11th seasonal victory and 20th lifetime, increasing her career bankroll to $188,137.
Ekorus finished second; Perfectly Lovely (Aaron Hall) was third.
In the second $16,984 division it was Dudelookslikeafily who got a perfect two-hole trip to best pacesetter Race Me Ireland (Andy Harrington) to score by a head in 2:01.3 and pick up her fourth seasonal win.
Driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Marc Tardif and owners Leighton Property and Victory Leighton, she was bred in Maine by Stephanie Gray.
Graceofspades (Dave Ingraham) finished third.
On the regular card the $5,800 feature was captured by Cool Man Dude in 1:59.1 with Aaron Hall returning $2.20 as the 1-9 favorite. Andy Harrington won the $5,000 Senior Citizen’s Pace with his own 14-year-old Grand Galop Semalu in 2:03.2, which paid $4.40. Harrington picked up two wins on the card, as did Hall and Joey Mosher.
Racing resumes at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Thursday (Oct. 1) with full cards scheduled for the remaining racing dates through Sunday (Oct. 4), with 12:30 post times throughout the week.
Always a highlight of the ‘Always in September’ Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continues at Cumberland with all the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Oct. 2).
Once again, Cumberland will host the $320,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on Saturday, October 3, with freshman filly pacer No Small Wonder entering the seasonal finale with an unblemished, eight-win record.
After the fair, the track’s 15-day Winter Festival begins November 8 and then primarily follows a three-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the season, until December 13. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 12.
