November 9, 2026 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. picked right up where he left off when racing resumed at Maine’s Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (Nov. 8), piloting six winners on the opening 12-race card.   

The familiar blue and black adorned Switzer Jr. wasted little time getting to victory lane as the 39-year-old took the opener with Queen Suzy in a gate to wire romp by 6-1/2 lengths.  The 9-5 favorite showed her heels to the field right from the start, making every call a winning one in a 2:05.1 final time, over a track rated ‘good’ with a 2-second allowance.

The 4-year-old daughter of Dover Dan took the $4,400 conditioned trot for trainer Benson Merrill and owner Victoria Leighton, returning $5.80.

Switzer Jr. then took the daily double with Rau Ru in 1:59.4, the swiftest mile of the day.  Owned and trained by Zach Vickerson, the 8-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight paid $3.20.

The leading reinsman took a little break and won the seventh with Jax Spratt (2:03.1, $4.00) and upset the apple cart in the eighth with Sheriff N (2:00.3, $30.60).

Switzer Jr. completed is sextet of scores by grabbing the late double with American Maverick (2:00, $4.40) and Mrs Foxy Roxy (2:02.1, $4.00).  Both of those pacers were trained by Benson Merrill, giving the conditioner three wins on the program.

The $6,400 featured conditioned trot was captured Matt So Sure who used a cover trip to come from off the pace and score in 2:02.4 for driver Heath Campbell and owner-trainer Craig Hall. 

The 8-year-old son of Noble Venture did not show a win on his last seven race lines and went off as the 13-1 fourth choice.  Sitting in sixth place while second over at the third panel, the duo swooped the field coming for home for the upset victory, returning a whopping $29.80 for the three-quarter length score over Brutalizer (6-5, Andy Harrington).  Top Down (46-1, Mike Stevenson) was third resulting in a $397.50 one dollar Trifecta payout.

Heath Campbell also won the previous race with KP’s Magic Macy (2:01.3, $2.80), and was the only other driver to have more than one victory.

For the sixth season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 12.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing, or have recently retired, and have Maine connections.  Horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter and be featured in a half-page bio with their photograph in the special commemorative program.  Equine honorees must be present to participate and need to ‘declare’ by Nov. 24.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

Racing resumes on Friday (Nov. 13) which kicks off the three-day (Fri-Sat-Sun) weekend action throughout the months of November and early December.  First Tracks Cumberland’s Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel 15-day meet concludes Dec. 13, 2026.

November 6, 2026 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Racing resumes at the iconic Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (Nov. 8) for the first of 15 Southern Maine racing dates, knows as the “Winter Festival,” with some of the Pine Tree State’s top trotters and pacers kicking off the twelve-race card.

The $6,400 featured conditioned trot pits J S Payton (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) against TCS Brenda (5-2, McGwire Sowers) in the fifth race skirmish.  The early morning line favorite J S Payton hails from the Benson Merrill stable and comes into this event off of a four race winning streak, which includes two scores at the Fryeburg Fair.

TCS Brenda has been competitive in conditioned trots lately at Plainridge, and brings her $80,521 in seasonal earnings to Cumberland while scoring from pylon position.  Third choice is local star Brutalizer (5-1, Andy Harrington) who has enjoyed his share of success at the iconic Southern Maine oval.

Race nine marks the return of the ‘greatest side show’ in harness racing, the $4,200 Maine Amateur Driving Club event. 

Most of the usual suspects are back behind the Wes Brown starting gate, including: Jason Bertolini (P4, Ziggy Sky), Joe Burke (P3, Plus One), and Todd Whitney (P1, Talbotcreekwhiskey).

Overall, the entire program has a lot of action for horse players with eight events boasting full seven or eight horse fields.  The Pick 5 starts with the first race; our Pick 4 highlights the ninth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the fifth and the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

For the sixth season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 12.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing, or have recently retired, and have Maine connections.  Horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter and be featured in a half-page bio with their photograph in the special commemorative program.  Equine honorees must be present to participate and need to ‘declare’ by Nov. 24.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

Racing continues at First Tracks Cumberland for our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting on Friday (Nov. 13) which kicks off the three-day (Fri-Sat-Sun) weekend action throughout the months of November and early December.  The 15-day meet concludes Dec. 13, 2026.