April 3, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – The lone weekend card at Cumberland Raceway gets off with a bang this Saturday (April 4) with a $7,500 Pick 5 guarantee in the opener, but fans will have to wait until race seven to see if JL’s Rock Star adds his name to the list of winners on the day before Easter, known as Holy Saturday.
While the big guarantee has bettors trying to solve the puzzle in races one through five, subsequently the $5,400 featured conditioned pace is led by JL’s Rock Star who earned over $80,000 last season, despite having only won three races. A model of consistency, the 6-year-old son Pet Rock has been second or third in his last five starts, going back to last December.
Nonetheless, the hot lights may once again shine on the Brian Lamb-trainee as he has been installed as the 2-1 favorite on the early morning line with Nick Graffam at the lines. Scoring from post four, and owned by Lamb in partnership with Ed Fornier Jr., the sub-1:52 pacer will have contend with Lou Ed Zeppelin (7-2, McGwire Sowers) from post five.
The entire 13-race card is overflowing with full, eight-horse fields, which should make for some very lucrative betting options. Last week, First Tracks Cumberland had several double-digit longshots come in, to the delight of bettors looking for value and a big score. This card could also produce more of the same.
Looking for a hunch bet for Easter? Look no further than Holymotherofmoses in the third.
In addition to the $7,500 guaranteed 50-cent Pick-5 in the opener, the Pick-4 starts with the last four races on the program (races 10-13) and Pick-3 begins in the 12th race. All boast a low 16% takeout. In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four, six, eight and ten, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale.
The guarantee is part of the USTA Strategic Wagering platform and offers free past performances at this link:
Because of the Easter holiday, there is no racing on Sunday (April 5). Racing resumes on Saturday (April 11).
First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday for the next two weeks in April. Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May. After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June.
First post is slated for 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.
A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:
