November 4, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Walter Case Jr. drove Hoosier Shark to a front-end victory in First Tracks Cumberland’s $5,500 feature on Sunday (Nov. 3), winning in 1:57.2 by a scant half a length, while Drew Campbell pushed his weekend win total to nine. 

Leaving from post three Case never saw the back of a helmet as he breezed through opening fractions of :27.3 and :59 before being challenged first over by Ranaldi into a 1:27.1 third panel.

Around the final turn Drew Campbell pulled Airspinder three-wide on the outside, while pocket-sitting Denver Seelster (Nick Graffam) ducked up the inside as the field straightened out for home.  Down the stretch Hoosier Shark was desperately looking for the finish wire as the swarm of would-be upsetters had him surrounded.

Hoosier Shark held his foes at bay for trainer Chris Lefebvre and owner Lonnie Lefebvre, as the 6-year-old son of Tellitlikeitis was the 9-5 second choice on the board behind the even-money favorite Ranaldi (Kevin Switzer Jr.).  He paid $5.80 to win.  Denver Seelster finished second; Airspinder was third.

In other action, Drew Campbell picked right up where he left off at Cumberland’s Winter Festival opener, winning four more races on Sunday, which gave the veteran driver nine scores over the 20-race weekend.

Once again, Campbell started the day off with a victory in the opener, steering Miki De Vie to a seven length romp in 1:58.1, a seasonal best. 

Owned by MLefebvre Racing and trained by Chris Lefebvre, the 4-year-old son of Always B Miki picked up his third win of the year, paying $5.20, and giving the connections a training double.

Campbell hit the daily double with Rose Run Slider in a wire-to-wire rout for trainer Mark Harris and owner Gayle Harris.  Tripping the time in 1:58.2, the 10-year-old son of Western Ideal got his seventh score of the season and paid $2.60.

Power Master gave Drew Campbell his third win on the card, and blew up the tote board in the process.  With heavy 1-9 favorite Lord Magnetic making a break behind the gate, Campbell let 38-1 longshot JK Lucky Charm (Walter Case Jr.) cut the fractions from post eight.  Tipping past the third stanza, Power Master at 80-1 rolled past the pacesetter and scored by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:59.2.

Trained by Christopher Dubois for owner Robert Kluchevitz, the 3-year-old son of Shadow Play acquired his fifth win of the year, paying a whopping $163.60 on a two-dollar ticket.

Drew Campbell got his fourth win of the early afternoon with Axion Hanover, winning in a gritty, rim-rolling fashion by a length in 1:58.2.

Campbell is now just 30 wins away from the 6,000 victory threshold.

For the fourth season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 21.  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 photograph in the program.  Equine honorees must be present to participate and need to ‘declare’ by Dec. 4.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

Racing resumes next Saturday (Nov. 9) and will feature the Leigh Fitch Memorial, and a $605 carryover in the Pick 5.  The live action continues on Sunday (Nov. 10). 

First Tracks Cumberland’s Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November.  Then, Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 6.  The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland