June 14, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Little Macabee added another notch to his welter weight belt while taking the co-featured $5,800 NW3500 Trot in a gutsy effort on Saturday (June 13) at Cumberland Raceway. A diminutive giant out on the racetrack, the little horse continues to impress the fans, and his owner alike.
At age 2, Little Macabee required emergency Colic surgery and almost didn’t make it, according to his faithful owner Maryann Tompkins. “He has the heart of a lion. I just love him. He has taught me a lot!”
Starting from post three regular driver Dave Ingraham let a flurry of anxious leavers scurry to the front and waited patiently for the dust to clear into a snappy :28 opening panel, led by the determined To My Credit (6-1, Alex MacDonald) with High Gear No Fear (9-5, Nick Graffam) settling into the pocket.
Heading past the three-eighths pole and around the far turn Ingraham flushed Amalie Hanover (13-1, Hunter Lofthus) from the three hole and tracked that cover through a softer :59.4 half-mile station. Down the backstretch a first over Amalie Hanover showed trot through the 1:29.3 third panel, while the four-in, four-out field was in hot pursuit of the pacesetter To My Credit.
As the pack rounded the final turn Ingraham tipped Little Macabee three-wide to continue his momentum, with Brutalizer (7-1, Andy Harrington) at his wheel four-deep and reeling in the pacesetters. Down the lane Little Macabee and Brutalizer had the speed and momentum to pass the inside horses as the pair matched strides right down to the wire.
Little Macabee prevailed by a neck in 2:00.4, returning $21.00 in true ‘Double Digit Dave’ fashion. It was the 47th win of his career, and pushed his lifetime earnings to $300,988.
Trained by Eric Bickmore, the 12-year-old son of Chapter Seven has been an ultra-consistent trotter and has endeared himself to Tompkins.
“He always gives 110% effort each and every time he races,” noted his happy owner. “He doesn’t complain at all and is a perfect gentleman. He has a big heart and his very confident,” exclaimed Tompkins. “I have been very blessed to have him be a part of my life.”
The exacta with Brutalizer paid $103.60. High Gear No Fear skimmed the cones to get up for third.
In other news, the Maine Sire Stakes made its seasonal debut with two $15,209 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies. Trainer Marc Tardif swept both divisions with the unbeaten freshman filly champion Snowonthepines (1:59, $2.10) and stable mate Dudelookslikeafily (1:59.3, $5.20).
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. had five wins on the program, including four in a row. Graffam, Hall and Ingraham each won a pair on the 12-race card.
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.
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:
