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.

November 1, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Racing resumes at the iconic Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (Nov. 2) for the first of 18 Southern Maine racing dates, knows as the “Winter Festival,” with some of the Pine Tree State’s top trotters and pacers kicking off the ten-race card.

The $5,000 featured conditioned pace pits Wolftrax (2-1, Heath Campbell) against Arts Flight (5-1, Aaron Hall) in the seventh race skirmish. 

Ironically, Hall sat behind both horses during their last trip to the winners circle.  For Wolftrax, who is trained by Eric Bickmore and has five wins on the season and $34,873 earned, his last victory was just two weeks ago at Bangor in 1:56.4.  The 6-year-old son of Betting Line leaves from pylon position.

For Arts Flight, a former, multiple Maine Sire Stakes winner last year at three, he last wowed the crowds at the famous Fryeburg Fair on October 1, scoring in 1:58.  The 4-year-old son of Artistic Fella scores from post five for trainer Sara Harrington.

Race six marks the return of the ‘greatest side show’ in harness racing, the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club event. 

Most of the usual suspects are back behind the Wes Brown starting gate, including: Jason Bertolini (P1, DT Petlot), Joe Burke (P2, Plus One), Hunter Lofthus (P3, Skyway Ballet), Todd Whitney (P4, Keystone Maxim) and Johnathan Bresnahan (P8, Smartys Filly) who is back from his big 1:53.3 score with Manny at the Delaware (OH) County Fair in the Tim Fouts Memorial Standardbred Driving Championship.

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

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 continues at First Tracks Cumberland for our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting, which 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 continues through Dec. 21, 2025.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

September 29, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Fern Hill Flight took the feature during the Cumberland Fair finale on Sunday (Sept. 29), closing out the eight-day stretch of Maine harness racing at the iconic Downeast oval

In the $7,500 Zipper Pop Up Series final driver Kevin Switzer Jr. sent Nets Of Passion out for an early lead, which saw him work to take command into a :28.1 opening panel.  That extra effort was compliments of fellow reinsmen Nick Graffam who stretched out the pacesetter and eventually tracked along in the pocket with Dark As Night.  Coincidentally, both pacers were trained by Ryan Berry and both were sent out at 7-2 by the public.

Just past the :58 half Andy Harrington sent the 4/5 favorite Fern Hill Flight into the outer flow from third to the challenge the leaders.  Switzer Jr. was working feverishly to keep his charge engaged as the betting choice had looked him in the eye through the 1:27 third stanza.

Down the stretch Graffam tipped Dark As Night to the outside and the three pacers battle down to the wire, with Fern Hill Flight prevailing by a half-length in 1:57.1.

Trained by Andy Harrington for owner Mel Grant, the 7-year-old son of Source Of Pride picked up his fifth win of the season, and 21^st of his career.  He returned $3.60.

Nets Of Passion finished second; Dark As Night was third.

Dave Ingraham and Kevin Switzer Jr. both enjoyed three wins on the afternoon program.  Switzer Jr. led all drivers during the eight-day fair meet with 17 victories.

Racing returns to Cumberland for the track’s 18-day Winter Festival which begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November.  The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21.  Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

September 28, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s $340,000-plus Freshmen Finals were contested on Saturday (Sept. 27) and provided fans with the most lucrative slate of harness races to be held at the Cumberland Fair this year.

Under sunny skies the grandstand was packed with fans eager to witness the next generation of Standardbred stars that are born and bred in the Pine Tree State.  The action did not disappoint as the unbeaten freshmen phenom Real Horrorshow led every step of the way to capture his $85,947 Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old colt and gelding pace final in 2:00.

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Kevin Switzer Sr. and owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., the son of Dude’s The Man never had an anxious moment as he prevailed by 4-1/2 open lengths.

Bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum, Real Horrorshow paid $2.40 to win as the heavy favorite, taking his ninth consecutive win of the season, and retaining his unblemished record and boosting his earnings to $100,377.

Mia’s Boy (Mark Athearn) finished second; Daytoremember (Heath Campbell) was third.

Another unbeaten star, Snowonthepines, entered the $85,947 pacing filly final with her eight-race win streak on the line, and did not disappoint.

Switzer Jr. sent the daughter of Dude’s The Man out to an early lead and never looked back as the rest of the tracked along obediently behind the divisional standout. However, down the stretch the pocket sitting Just Delightful (Ron Cushing) took her shot at the pacesetter, but Snowonthepines maintained a half-length advantage at the wire, tripping the timer in 2:02.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner/breeder Leighton Property, the 1/9 favorite paid $2.20 to win the ninth straight start of her illustrious season, with $100,288 earned.

Ekorus (Nick Graffam) finished third.

Switching over to the diagonally gaited set, Pembroke Lady scored a front-end victory in her $85,908 split for frosh trotting fillies.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger held the pocket briefly after the start as Hayden (Gary Hall) assumed the point. Down the backstretch the first time Campbell brushed to the lead to gain control the tempo with the 3/5 favorite.

Past the half Pembroke Lady made every call a winning one as the field stacked up in the outer flow in an attempt to reel in the leader and avoid early breakers.  Our Last Quote (Steve Wilson) challenged first over at the third station but failed to gain any significant ground on the pacesetter.

Down the stretch the pocket sitting Hayden tipped out and had one last surge and finished within a half-length of the divisional leader Pembroke Lady in 2:06, returning $3.20.

Owned by Brenda Varney and bred by the late Bill Varney, it was the filly’s eighth win of the season, increasing her bankroll to $100,107.

Our Last Quote hung on for third.

In the $85,591 division for freshmen trotting colts and geldings, it was the heavy favorite Wilder N Idy who misbehaved behind the starting gate but managed to pull himself together and keep his mind on business through the remaining stations and rolled to a 5-3/4 length romp in 2:04.2.

Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn, the son of To The Hilt paid $2.20.  Wilder N Idy is owned by Patrick Leavitt and increased his seasonal kitty to $119,584.  Bred by the late Mike Andrew, he completed his Maine Sire Stakes season with eight wins in nine starts.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers on the program, scoring four times, including two sire stakes finals.

The final racing date of the Cumberland Fair meet is Sunday (Sept. 28).

After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November.  The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21.  Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

September 27, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s sophomore trotters rolled through their penultimate leg of Pine Tree State-bred action on Friday (Sept 26) at the Cumberland Fair, while the track gears up for Saturday’s (Sept. 27) $340,000-plus Freshmen Finals.

In the first $17,476 division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings heavy favorite Liberty’s Wildcard was placed in the pocket by leading reinsmen Kevin Switzer Jr., allowing freshman champ Whatawonder roll on to take command by Ken Watson.

As the son of Whataworkout took the field through opening panels of :31.1 and 1:03.2 the favorite held a loose pocket until the 1:32.2 third station where Switzer let his trotter loose and brushed past the pacesetter to score by 2-1/4 lengths in 2:04.3.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, the son of Noble Venture has won his last four starts and 10 of 11 this year.  He was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr. and paid $2.40 as the 1/5 favorite.

Enchanted Prince (Andy Harrington) finished third.

In the second $17,722 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies it was the divisional star Barbella that cruised to any easy victory in 2:05.  Making every call a winning one, the daughter of Whataworkout had nary an anxious moment as catch driver Kevin Switzer Jr. posted a three length score. 

Trained by Ken Anderson for owner Bob Kakian, it was the sixth win in a row for the accomplished distaff.  She was bred by the late Mike Andrew and paid $2.80 to win.

Little Shot (Ivan Davies) finished second; Twisted Fate (Mike Cushing) was third.

Four $85,000-plus Finals of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotters and pacers will go postward on the Saturday (Sept. 27) afternoon card at 12 noon at the Cumberland Fairgrounds.

In the first $85,591 division for freshmen trotting colts and geldings, the 9-5 favorite Wilder N Idy has seven wins on the season for trainer Gretchen Athearn.

In the $85,908 split for frosh trotting fillies, the 9-5 favorite Pembroke Lady brings her seven victories to the table for trainer Valerie Grondin.

For the $85,947 pacing filly final, trainer Marc Tardif sends the undefeated Snowonthepines into the full eight-horse field as the 8-5 favorite.

Finally, the Real Horrorshow leads the full field in the $85,947 male pacers division, putting his unblemished eight-race win streak on the line for trainer Kevin Switzer Sr.

Another full card is scheduled for the final racing date of Sunday (Sept. 28). 

Exotic wagers start with Cumberland’s Pick 5 in the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

First Tracks will also host the popular Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win $500 in total cash prizes based on their picks and the official order of finish in the designated race.

After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November.  The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21.  Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

September 26, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s star sophomore pacer Massive Speed captured his eleventh consecutive victory in his $17,212 division of the Maine Sire Stakes on Thursday (Sept 25) at the Cumberland Fair, maintaining his unblemished seasonal record in the penultimate leg.

Driver Aaron Hall put the son of Dude’s The Man right on the engine and splashed through all the stations with no threats near or far.  The judges provided for a three second allowance due to the off-going, yet the local phenom stopped the clock in 2:01.2, establishing the swiftest race of the day.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property it was his 21^st lifetime victory and brought his career earnings to $213,981.  Winning by a measured length and three-quarters, he paid $2.20 as the heavy favorite.  Massive Speed was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.

Dawn Two Dark (Andy Harrington) finished second; Keenan Star (Heath Campbell) was third.

In the other $17,212 division it was all This Dudes Perfect and driver Heath who cruised to a comfortable 1-1/4 length wire-to-wire score in 2:03.2.

Trained by Valerie Grondin and owners Lynn-Marie Plouffe (breeder) and Brenda Varney the son of Dude’s The Man picked up his second win in his last three starts.  Returning $7.20, he heads to Fryeburg with $28,299 in his seasonal kitty.

Ridgecrest Dan (John Nason) finished second; Cheatin Fate (Andy Harrington) was third.

Driver Heath Campbell led all drivers on the nine race card, visiting the Blue Seal winners circle on five occasions, including a natural grand slam in races two through five.

Racing resumes at 12 noon at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Friday (Sept. 26) with full cards scheduled for the remaining racing dates through Sunday (Sept. 28). 

Exotic wagers start with Cumberland’s Pick 5 in the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

Always a highlight of the ‘Always in September’ Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continue at Cumberland with the 3-year-old trotters on Friday (Sept. 26). 

Once again, Cumberland will host the $300,000 Est. Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on Saturday, September 27, with two freshmen pacers, Real Horrorshow and Snowonthepines, putting their unblemished records on the line in their respective showdowns.

First Tracks will also host the popular Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win $500 in total cash prizes based on their picks and the official order of finish in the designated race.

After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November.  The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21.  Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/