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.

November 9, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Pembroke Breeze sailed to a front-end victory on Saturday (Nov. 8) at Cumberland Raceway, taking the $5,500 conditioned trot in a lifetime best 1:58.

As the wings folded, the 4-year-old daughter of Pembroke Slugger was briefly behind the 33-1 longshot To My Credit (Mike Stevenson), but tipped out and went around the early leaver through the paddock turn to take command at the :29.1 opening panel. 

By the :59.2 half-mile marker Pembroke Breeze was in total command as the rest of the field tracked loosely behind the former Maine Sire Stakes champion.

Just past the half the even-money co-favorite Valyrian Steel (Kevin Switzer Jr.) moved first over from fifth to improve his position.  Brutalizer (12-1, Andy Harrington) followed closely second-up as the trotters moved past the paddock turn the second time.

The public’s choice led the field to a 1:28.3 third stanza and began to gain separation as the rest of the pack fanned out around the final turn.  All alone and drawing off by 7-1/2 lengths, Pembroke Breeze took her seventh win of the season.

Driven by Heath Campbell for owner/trainer Valerie Grondin, it was her 19^th career victory and a new time badge, boosting her lifetime earnings to $209,774.  She returned $4.20.  Brutalizer finished second; To My Credit was third.

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 7) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card.

The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the seventh, 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 7, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Saturday (Nov. 8) program at Cumberland Raceway will feature a $5,500 conditioned trot, with local campaigner Valyrian Steel looking to carve another notch in his Standardbred sword.

The 6-year-old son of trotting’s hottest sire, Chapter Seven, has accrued an impressive three victories in his last five starts, including a pair of victories during ‘Fair week’ at the iconic Southern oval.

Owned and trained by Chad Tompkins Valyrian Steel (2-1, post five) boasts five seasonal victories with $26,240 earned.  He gets the services of the red-hot Kevin Switzer Jr, who won seven races on last Sunday’s opening day card.

Interestingly, his last three wins were with Heath Campbell in the sulky.  However, Campbell’s has his own stable’s charge, former Maine Sire Stakes champion Pembroke Breeze, leaving from pylon position.  Pegged as the second choice at 5-2, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger already has six wins this season.

The featured trot is programmed as race six on the ten race card.

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

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 7) 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.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 3, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Leading reinsmen Kevin Switzer Jr. put on a driving clinic on opening day of the Winter Festival at Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (Nov. 2), winning seven of the nine races he drove in.

Switzer Jr. wasted little time finding the Blue Seal Winner’s circle at the iconic Southern Maine oval, sending even-money favorite Eager Beaver to a 2:02 maiden-breaking victory in the opener.  Owned by Sara Fernald and trained by Billy DuBois, the 3-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight returned $4.20.

The Maine-native, third generation horseman came right back in the second to secure the daily double with trotter Foxy Trottin Stick in 2:01.2, his second two-hole trip of the day.  The 9-year-old son of Big Stick Lindy paid $3.00 for owner-trainer Jamie Gerard. 

In the fourth race the 38-year-old teamster went down the road with Smokin By N in 1:56.  An 11-year-old son of Mach Three who is owned and trained by Scott Vickerson, he returned $4.40.

The fifth race witnessed another wire-to-wire rout from post six with Ga Speed Matrix (2:00.1, $3.80).

The $5,000 feature saw Kreacher win by a neck in 1:57.4 for the red-hot reinsman.  Owned and trained by Nancy Stewart, the 10-year-old son of Pet Rock returned a handsome $19.60 to win.  3-2 public choice Wolftrax (Heath Campbell) finished second.

Switzer picked up his sixth and seventh wins on the 10-race card with Ten Beaches Later (2:00.3, $2.20) and Gotta Minute N (1:57.1, $3.80).

While winning seven on one harness racing program may seem like a magical accomplishment, this is not the first time that Kevin Switzer Jr. has accomplished this lofty feat.

According to New England harness racing historian and Bangor track announcer Mike Sweeney the top pilot has completed the task on three previous occasions: Scarborough Downs and at the Skowhegan State Fair in 2014, and again at Skowhegan this year.  It’s no surprise that Switzer Jr. is having another career year having eclipsed his previous earnings threshold of $2.67 million in 2023.  This year he stands at $2.68 million and 308 victories with plenty of racing still to be contested.

Overall Switzer Jr. has amassed $21 million in earnings over his 20-plus year career with 3,817 wins since he began driving in 2003.

In other news, Todd Whitney took the Maine Amateur Driving Club race with Keystone Maxim in 1:59.1, returning $2.40.

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 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 Dec. 3.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

Racing replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday (Nov. 8), post time 10:55 am.  The Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continues with weekend (Sat-Sun) 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 continues through Dec. 21, 2025.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.