December 2, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – For the fifth season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 20.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing or have retired within the last four years, and have Maine connections. 

Ten retirees have already been entered, and those horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter and be featured in a half-page bio with photograph in the program.  Equine honorees must be present to participate.  This shall serve as the tracks ‘last call’ for entries.  Trainers or owners must ‘declare’ their horse by Dec. 3.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

First Tracks Cumberland has transitioned to a three-day weekend of racing, adding the Friday (Dec. 5) card, which compliments the Saturday (Dec. 6) and Sunday (Dec. 7) programs.  First post: 10:55 am.

Draw dates will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday respectively, with the box closing at 12 noon each day.

Racing at Cumberland continues three days each weekend through December 21, 2024. 

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

December 1, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Conditioner Zach Vickerson had three horses racing on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland, and won with all three.

In the 3^rd race $5,000 featured pace, top teamster Kevin Switzer Jr. sent heavy 1-9 favorite Rock Candy out to an early lead, but so did McGwire Sowers with the 6-1 Vel Mr Nice Guy.  Switzer Jr. re-took just past the :28.4 opening panel, and never looked back. 

Guiding the field through a softer 1:00 mid-way point, the first to move from the rim was Spicey P (18-1, Steve Wilson) who advanced all the way to second while first over at the 1:28.3 third station.

Under a hand drive, Rock Candy exploded at the head of the stretch to gain the advantage over a fast-closing Vel Mr Nice Guy.  The pacesetter prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58.  Also owned by his trainer Zach Vickerson, the 9-year-old son of Pet Rock returned $2.20.

Time For George (Dave Ingraham) finished third.

Vickerson and Switzer Jr. also teamed up for the swiftest race of the day when Rau Rau held off a late charge by Instant Replay (2-1, Shawn Thayer) to complete the wire-to-wire circuit in 1:57.  Vickerson owns the 7-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight, who paid $3.00 in the 6^th race, winning the $4,800 conditioned pace by a head.

The Vickerson and Switzer Jr. duo came back in the 11^th race, $4,600 pace to fashion a third gate-to-wire rout, scoring with Sheriff N in 2:01.  Once again, owned by Vickerson, the 11-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight was the heavy 1-9 favorite and returned $2.20 for his measured-length triumph.

In other news, James Doucette captured the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club event with his own Ahoy Hanover.  Trained by Autym Sowers, the 4-year-old son Captaintreacherous was parked the last half and wore down the 4/5 favorite Never Say Never N (Todd Whitney) who cut the fractions.  Tripping the timer in 1:58.3, it was the second victory of the season for the 25-year-old Doucette, who returned $4.60.

Leading reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. added to his monstrous lead in the drivers standings, steering a total of five winners on the 13-race program.  Switzer Jr. now has 104 wins this year at Cumberland, double that of his nearest competitor McGwire Sowers who has 52.  Aaron Hall and Steve Wilson each grabbed a pair while Dave Ingraham got to within one win of his 8,000 victory threshold.

Horsemen are reminded to check the new condition sheet and our website for a host of exciting Winter Pop-Up Series for the month of December.  Boasting up to $179,000 in purses, the races have increased prizes, as well as consolations and finals, for the six different events available.

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card. 

The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing next week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5.  The Au Revoir Retirement ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 20.  Entries close Wednesday (Dec. 3).

The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.  Post time remains 10:55 am. 

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 30, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Andy Harrington sent Brutalizer right to the front in the $5,500 top trot on Saturday (Nov. 29) at First Tracks Cumberland, and never looked back.

Making his fourth start for his new connections trainer Sara Harrington and owner Kyle Gibbs, the 4-year-old son of Alarm Detector spent most of the last few years racing in the state of Delaware.  Recently, he settled for place and show positions over his acclimation period, but burst out of his harness to take the day’s feature.

As the gate sprung To My Credit (3-1, Mike Stevenson) made an uncharacteristic miscue from the rim and took back to last, while Inquiring Mind (2-1, Steve Wilson) stretched the 6/5 favorite Brutalizer to a sharp :29 opening panel.  Harrington softened the tempo and took the field down to a 1:00.1 mid-way point, with the pack following along in single file formation.

Kevin Switzer Jr. pulled Little Macabee (9-1) first over from fourth position, with To My Credit having regained his composure following the cover second over.  The pacesetter used the opportunity to put some distance on the challengers, hitting the third panel in 1:30.2 and gaining ground with every stride.

Down the stretch it was a race for second as Brutalizer had five lengths on the field and could not be caught.  To My Credit swung wide to grab second, Storm Bringer (7-1, Aaron Hall) was third.

Brutalizer returned $4.40 for the mile in 2:01.1, picking up his ninth lifetime victory, and seventh of the season.  His seasonal total reached $70,569.

In other news, everyone’s favorite octogenarian Bob Nadeau found the winner’s circle with his own Azariya.  Scoring from pylon position, the 87-years-young teamster made every call a winning one, tripping the timer in 2:00.1.  The 5-year-old daughter of Lazarus is also owned and trained by the iron-tough cement salesman, and she returned $26.20 as an added bonus.  The exacta paid $33.00 with 28-year-old Jason Bertolini’s On Line finishing second by a neck.  The age differential on the passionate owner-trainer-drivers is plus-59.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. grabbed four wins on the card, with Chris Long, a recent addition to the drivers colony, picking up a pair of victories on the post-Thanksgiving program.

Horsemen are reminded to check the new condition sheet and our website for a host of exciting Winter Pop-Up Series for the month of December.  Boasting up to $179,000 in purses, the races have increased prizes, as well as consolations and finals, for the six different events available.

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card. 

The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing next week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5.  The Au Revoir Retirement ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 20.  Entries close Wednesday (Dec. 3).

The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.  Post time remains 10:55 am. 

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 28, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Delmarva transplant Brutalizer will try to give his new connections a victory in the $5,500 top trot on Saturday (Nov. 29) at First Tracks Cumberland

The absence of recent two-time winner Big Al M makes the Sara Harrington-trained trotter the 2-1 favorite in this week’s edition of the trotting feature.  Husband Andy Harrington is at the controls and has guided the horse to second or third place finishes in all three of his previous outings.

Scoring from post five, the 4-year-old son of Alarm Detector already has six wins in 33 seasonal starts, earning $67,819 in the process.  Saddled with post seven last week, the accomplished high-stepper took his 1:57.4 record over the half-mile track at Harrington earlier in the year, and looks to make this Downeast two-circuit oval his new favorite stomping grounds.

To My Credit (7-2, Mike Stevenson) will also be trying to grab the lion’s share of the purse as he scores from pylon position for trainer Allison MacDonald.  The 5-year-old son of the immortal Credit Winner has five wins and $25,885 earned this year.  He won two weeks ago against gentler company, showing that he can do it on the front end.

Veteran teamster ‘Double-digit Dave’ Ingraham is just two wins shy of his 8,000^th career victory, now sitting at 7,998 lifetime wins.  Over the weekend Ingraham has 16 drives: seven on Saturday and nine on Sunday.

Driving harness horses since 1980, the 63-year-old has 71 wins this year with earnings of $600,545.  Over his 45-year career he has driven the winners of $32.8 million and enjoyed a dozen seasons with a million or more in earnings.  His statistically best year was 1995 where the Maine-native won 403 races and $2.7 million in purses.

Horsemen are reminded to check the new condition sheet and our website for a host of exciting Winter Pop-Up Series for the month of December.  Boasting up to $179,000 in purses, the races have increased prizes, as well as consolations and finals, for the six different events available.

The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the ninth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card.  Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing next week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5.  The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.  Post time remains 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 24, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Millionaire world champion Dealt A Winner found the winners circle for the fiftieth time on Sunday (Nov. 23) at Cumberland Raceway, showing the Downeast’s top pacers that he still has what it takes.

The 13-year-old son of Cam’s Card Shark has been behind the starting gate on over 240 occasions, winning Triple Crown events, Grand Circuit stakes races, and top class free-for-all events over his storied career.  At 3, he won the Cane Pace at the Meadowlands in 1:47.3, defeating some of the top pacers of his generation, including Wiggle It Jiggleit, Dude’s The Man and Artspeak.  He equaled that mark two years later by taking the Allerage at The Red Mile, defeating Hall of Famer McWicked in the process.

Now owned and trained by Scott Vickerson, the accomplished veteran sat a perfect two-hole trip in the $4,800 featured pace with driver Shawn Thayer.

Wagering favorite Fern Hill Flight (8-5, Nick Graffam) took the field through an opening panel of :29, while Thayer wrestled Dealt A Winner into a tight pocket.  Heading to the 1:00.1 mid-way point Kevin Switzer Jr. had Gotta Minute N (9-5) rolling first over, followed by Chasing Goosebumps (14-1, Andy Harrington) picking up the outer flow cover.

Into the 1:29.2 third station Fern Hill Flight had gained some separation, with Chasing Goosebumps tipping three wide on the outside.  Meanwhile, Dealt A Winner pulled the pocket around the final turn to engage the pacesetter.  In deep stretch, the winner of $1.5 lifetime found an extra gear and stormed home in 1:59.3 to score by 1-1/2 lengths.

Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Dealt A Winner returned $11.00.  Fern Hill Flight finished second; Airspinder (Dave Ingraham) got up for third.

Todd Whitney won the Maine Amateur Driving event with Celtic Tiger for trainer Ryan Berry, returning $4.00.

Red hot reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. sent six horses to the winners circle, including the first four races, and increased his insurmountable 50+ dash win lead in the drivers standings. 

Dave Ingraham got two wins closer to his 8,000 victory career milestone, with just two wins needed to eclipse the benchmark.  Veteran Ingraham now sits at 7,998 lifetime wins after scoring with Reys N A Ruckus (1:59, $11.20) and So Unnsurreal (2:03, $8.60).

Racing resumes on Saturday (November 29) at Cumberland.  Our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November.  Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5.  The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 23, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Big Al M was able to overcome the eight-hole and sprint to a wire-to-wire rout on Saturday (Nov. 22) at Cumberland Raceway, copping his second $5,500 conditioned trot feature in as many weeks.

When the Wes Brown starting gate wings folded top teamster Kevin Switzer Jr. blasted the 1/5 favorite out on a quest for the front end.  Mike Stevenson secured To My Credit (10-1) in the pocket, with Dave Ingraham and Inquiring Mind (11-1) settling third. 

Following a taxing :28.1 opening panel the duo was able to soften the tempo while in command and moving toward the mid-way point.  Big Al M arrived at the half in 58.1 with Valyrian Steel (9-1, Cain MacKenzie) moving first over, followed by Brutalizer (5-1, Andy Harrington) second up.

No changes in the sequence followed as Switzer Jr. had control of the field through the 1:28 third station, when Harrington tipped Brutalizer three-wide to take his shot at the leader.

With the stretch drive underway, and a myriad of challengers trying valiantly to catch the pacesetter, Switzer Jr. hand-drove the 7-year-old son of Anders Bluestone to a 2-1/4 length victory in 1:59.1. 

Owned and trained by Zach Vickerson, it was his tenth win of the season and 32^nd of his career.  Returning $2.60, he increased his lifetime bankroll to $523,455.

Inquiring Mind finished second; Brutalizer got up for third.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. enjoyed five wins on the program, and Mike Stevenson picked up a double, both of which lit up the tote board.  His own Coocooforcoco (2:00.1) paid $35.20 to win, and Kandace Niles’ Sweet Scarlett (2:02) returned $39.40. 

Racing resumes on Sunday (November 23) at Cumberland.  The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the ninth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.  Post time is 10:55 am for the 12-race card.

Our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November.  Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5.  The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 21, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Big Al M returned to his winning ways last week, after a dry spell going back to September.  However, this week the veteran trotter has been saddled with post position eight in the $5,500 top trot on Saturday (Nov. 22) at First Tracks Cumberland.

While the 7-year-old son of Anders Bluestone has picked up nine victories this season, including a pair of wins a Cumberland with his owner/trainer Zach Vickerson in the sulky, and is the winner of 31 races and $520,705 in his career, the question remains: can the accomplished trotter get the job done from the outermost starting point.

Last week top reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. put Big Al M right on the front end and took care of business by fending off the late charge of Brutalizer with Andy Harrington at the controls.  Regardless of post, Big Al M has been installed as the 2-1 early morning line favorite from the outside, and retains the sulky services of Switzer Jr.

The Trackman’s second pick is Valyrian Steel (5-2, Cain MacKenzie) who has five wins this year and never misses a check.  He scores from post two. 

The third choice is Brutalizer from post seven (4-1, Andy Harrington) who has six wins on the season and has been second in his last two starts for his new connections. 

The $5,500 featured trot is programmed as race nine on the eleven race card.

Veteran teamster ‘Double-digit Dave’ Ingraham is very close to his 8,000^th career victory, now sitting at 7,996 lifetime wins.  Over the weekend Ingraham has 15 drives: eight on Saturday and seven on Sunday.

Driving harness horses since 1980, the 63-year-old has 69 wins this year with earnings of $584,740.  Over his 45-year career he has driven the winners of over $32 million and enjoyed a dozen seasons with a million or more in earnings.  His statistically best year was 1995 where the Maine-native won 403 races and $2.7 million in purses.

The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the eighth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 23) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card.  Our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November.  Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5.  The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.  Post time remains 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 17, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Local pacer Arts Flight captured his second $5,000 feature in as many weeks on Sunday (Nov. 16) at Cumberland Raceway, this time with Nick Graffam in the sulky.

Graffam flushed the 1/5 favorite from the car from post two and grabbed the point with minimal urging.  The 4-year-old son of Artistic Fella hit the opening panel in a modest :29 seconds with Press Time (10-1, Aaron Hall) poised in the pocket.

The field was stretched out through a soft :59.1 half-mile marker, with little action materializing on the outside.  The first challenge came in the form of Grand Gallop Semalu (8-1, Andy Harrington) who was sitting fifth until the paddock turn and brushed up alongside the leaders by the time they reached the 1:29 third stanza.  Always A Mystery (27-1, McGwire Sowers) followed his cover on the outside and brushed into contention while rounding the final turn.

At the head of the stretch the pacesetting Arts Flight had his work cut out for him as the the two challengers set their sights on the wire and were gaining momentum with every stride.  Through mid-stretch Arts Flight fought back and was able to keep the would-be spoilers at bay as they hit the finish line together in 1:59.3.

Trained by Sara Harrington and owned by Mac Stables, Arts Flight prevailed by three parts of a length to capture his second win in a row and eighth of the season.  He returned $2.60 and was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

Grand Gallop Semalu finished second, just a quarter-length in front of the fast closing Always A Mystery, who was third.

In other news, Todd Whitney won the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club event with Lear Seelster in 2:02, returning $4.80.

Leading reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. swept nearly half the card, winning six races on the program, including the last four races of the day.  Nick Graffam, Aaron Hall and Steve Wilson all grabbed driving doubles.  Conditioner Zach Vickerson enjoyed a training triple.

Switzer Jr. has a nearly insurmountable lead in the Cumberland drivers standings, sitting way atop the leaderboard with 83 trips to the winners circle.  McGwire Sowers (51), Aaron Hall (40), Nick Graffam (38) and Drew Campbell (37) round out the top five.

Racing resumes on Saturday (Nov. 22) at First Tracks Cumberland, with the Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continuing its weekend action throughout the month of November.  Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5.  The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 16, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Big Al M rolled to a wire-to-wire triumph on Saturday (Nov. 15) at Cumberland Raceway, snapping a month-long drought in the featured $5,500 conditioned trot.

Leading reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. put the 1/9 heavy favorite right on the engine and led the field to a :29.2 opening panel, with Brutalizer (4-1) and Andy Harrington sitting in a tight pocket.

As the group hit the half in 1:00.3 the outer flow began with Steve Wilson tipping Inquiring Mind, followed by Cain MacKenzie and Valyrian Steel who were gapping their second-over cover.

With the competitors advancing Switzer Jr. tapped the accelerator down the backstretch and hit the third stanza in 1:29.3, which gave Brutalizer some daylight and allowed Harrington to muscle his way out around the final turn and begin a battle down to the wire.

Big Al M continued to hold sway over the challengers, as the 7-year-old son of Anders Bluestone maintained his momentum and prevailed by three parts of a length in 1:59.4.  Owned and trained by Zach Vickerson, it was his ninth win of the season and 31^st of his career.  Returning $2.20, he increased his lifetime bankroll to $520,705.

Brutalizer finished second; Valyrian Steel got up for third.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. enjoyed four wins on the program, and Andy Harrington, Dave Ingraham and Mike Stevenson each grabbed a pair. 

Veteran teamster ‘Double-digit Dave’ Ingraham is quickly approaching a milestone of 8,000 career victories, and now sits at 7,996.  When racing resumes on Sunday (Nov. 16) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card, Ingraham is programmed with ten drives.  Driving harness horses since 1980, the 63-year-old has 69 wins this year with earnings of $584,740.  Over his 45-year career he has driven the winners of over $32 million and enjoyed a dozen seasons with a million or more in earnings.  His statistical best year was 1995 where the Maine-native won 403 races and $2.7 million in purses.

The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

Our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November.  Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5.  The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 10, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Former Maine Sire Stakes star Arts Flight captured the $5,000 feature on Sunday (Nov. 9) at Cumberland Raceway, helping his driver Aaron Hall grab three wins on the midday program.

Hall left alertly from post four with his 4-year-old son of Artistic Fella, along with a cavalry charge of other position seekers.  Arts Flight went around the pylon-protecting Premier Joy A (11-1, Shawn Thayer) just past the snappy :28.4 opening panel, with Wolftrax (9-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) hung out to dry from post seven.

Heading to the :58.4 half Arts Flight was in full command with Wolftrax hanging tough European style and leading the outer flow, which was stacked up four deep.

Heath Campbell tipped 6-5 favorite JK Objection three-wide down the backside to engage with the leaders into a 1:28 third panel, advancing from fifth to second by the time the field hit the final turn.

Down the stretch the two pacers battled feverishly, leaving the rest of the field in a five-length wake. At the wire Arts Flight was able to fend off the assault of JK Objection by a neck in 1:57.4.

Trained by Sara Harrington for owner Mac Stables, the 5-2 second choice returned $7.40.  He was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe and picked up his seventh seasonal score.  Always A Mystery (McGwire Sowers) finished third.

Driver Aaron Hall enjoyed three wins on the program, including Polyester (2:00, $3.60) and Press Time (2:00.4, $3.60) who he also trains.

Leading reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. had three wins on both the Saturday and Sunday cards, while Heath Campbell enjoyed four wins on Saturday, including a track record with Pembroke Breeze who set a new 1:58 standard for a 4-year-old trotting mare.

Racing resumes on Saturday (Nov. 15) at First Tracks Cumberland, with the Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continuing its weekend action throughout the month of November.  Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5.  The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.