May 17, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – About an hour before the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans was being contested about 500 miles down the eastern seaboard, First Tracks held their own $7,000 Cumberland Preakness on Saturday (May 16) at the iconic Southern Maine oval.
A ten furlong dash, the seven fillies and mares that comprised the conditioned pacing field were led by 5-2 morning line favorite Venice Blue Chip from post two. However, at post time, the public’s perception had shifted to embrace Holymotherofmoses who had a late driver change to local fan favorite Heath Campbell, which resulted in her anointment at 6-5.
When the wings folded down the backstretch for the 1-1/4 mile distance event, a relative cavalry charge ensued with Venice Blue Chip (now 2-1) and Walter Case Jr. taking an early lead. Hungry Lady (2-1, Wally Watson) dropped in the pocket second and was followed by Coocooforcoco and Dedication as the pack rounded the first turn. The field stayed in that position through the :28.3 opening panel and a subsequent :58.2 half.
Entering the third turn and heading to the three-quarters, Andy Harrington pulled Dedication from fourth in an attempt to reel in the leaders. She quickly ranged up to the wheel of the pacesetter with the post time favorite Holymotherofmoses in tow second over as they reached the third panel in 1:29.
The field was stacked up and Holymotherofmoses was sent three-wide down the backside as they tripped the mile timer in 1:58.4. Around the final turn and down the stretch Dedication had reconsidered her commitment while Case was trying to keep the pacesetter Venice Blue Chip from being caught by a determined Campbell on the outside.
The mares battled valiantly down to the wire, with Venice Blue Chip prevailing by a neck in 2:28.2 over Holymotherofmoses.
Trained by Mark Harris for owners Derek Robishaw and Gayle Harris, the 5-year-old daughter of Lather Up picked up her first seasonal victory and increased her lifetime earnings to $111,083. She returned $6.20 to win for the 15th time in her career.
Polyester (Aaron Hall) came from way off the pace to grab the show dough.
Aaron Hall enjoyed three wins on the program, including the $7,000 co-featured Winners Over pace with Vel Trust In Time. Scoring in 1:57.3, it was the Tammy Sower’s-trained mare’s seventh seasonal victory.
Heath Campbell, Andy Harrington and McGwire Sowers each picked up a pair of wins. Nick Graffam leads all drivers after the 17 race cards of the current Spring meet with 38 victories. Kevin Switzer Jr. (28) and Aaron Hall (25) round out the top three.
Racing resumes Friday (May 22) as Cumberland kicks off the Memorial Day weekend with another full card of live harness racing action.
First Tracks Cumberland continues to host their Friday-Saturday racing schedule through the month of May. When we flip the calendar to June for the official start of summer, the schedule reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the meet.
First post is 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:
