June 5, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Ultra-consistent Ghetto Boy looks to continue his good fortune on Saturday (June 6) in the $5,800 featured NW3500 Trot at Cumberland Raceway with a special first post time of 2:45 pm to merge with the Saratoga Thoroughbred card featuring the Belmont Stakes.
Trained by Courtney Pitts for owner Ryan Popovich, the 8-year-old son of Cantab Hall has been moving up the trotting ranks admirably and has three wins and four second place finishes in just nine starts this season. Driven by Hunter Lofthus, an “amateur driver” who should have received his ‘A’ license last year, the trotter won against similar company a fortnight ago. Installed as the early 2-1 morning line favorite, he scores from post two in the featured fourth race on the 10-race program.
Just inside of Ghetto Boy is fan favorite Little Macabee, who has been knocking bridles with the area’s best of the diagonal set for years. Leaving from pylon position and with the driving services of Dave Ingraham the 12-year-old son of Chapter Seven may find this group to his liking.
The second choice on the morning line at 7-2 is Storm Bringer with the red hot Aaron Hall. He steps down in company from his last outing at Plainridge to a group much more suited to his speed and class. The 9-year-old son of Explosive Matter scores from post five.
On Saturday, the exotic wagering action starts with a Pick-5 in the opener, then the Pick-4 is set for the last four races on the program (races 7-10) and boasts a $997.17 carryover from last week. The Pick-3 begins in race eight, and all boast a low 16% takeout. In addition, the 20-cent Superfecta is available in races four and six, along with a Pentafecta in races five and the finale.
Looking ahead to the following race date, the $6,400 feature on Sunday (June 7) is the NW5000 in race nine, pitting two winners from last week: Vel Strait Out (5-2, McGwire Sowers, PP2) and Rock Candy (7-2, Kevin Switzer Jr., PP 1) against the always tough Married Man (3-1, Aaron Hall) from post six. This race is shaping up to be a real shoot out with an aggressive bunch of evenly matched side-steppers.
In addition, with the opening leg of the Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing fillies slated for next Saturday (June 13), several of the season’s anticipated participants will be going postward in the $4,000 Maiden Pace carded as race eight. Sibling relatives to former Pine Tree State champions can be found in Graceofspades and I’m Not Maverick who are seeking their first trip to the winners circle.
First Tracks Cumberland will continue with Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the month of June. During July the schedule reverts back to Friday-Saturday, with the exception of the three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet.
Except for special occasions, first post is generally 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.
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