Prancer legs to shake things up at Cumberland Saturday

December 12, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Trotters take center stage at Cumberland on Saturday (Dec. 13) with three $7,500 divisions of the Prancer Pop-up Series’ second leg of action.

Last week’s swiftest victor, Jax Spratt, who scampered home an easy winner in his division, draws the luck four hole in the opener. Trained and driven by Aaron Hall, the 5-year-old son Devious Man has been made the 2-1 second choice on the morning line.

While Jax Spratt sports nine wins in 26 seasonal outings, he should get a good trip behind front-end-loving Sunny’s Rebel (9-5), who also has nine wins in 37 tries. He leaves from pylon position with Kevin Switzer Jr. in the bike for trainer Benson Merrill.

Post time for the first race is 10:55 am.

The other two divisions, races five and seven, are led by Valyrian Steel (9-5, Switzer Jr.) and Foxy Trottin Stick (5-2, Switzer Jr.), respectively.

The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the sixth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

Racing continues on Sunday (Dec. 14) at First Tracks Cumberland with five $8,500 divisions of the Blitzen and Dasher Pop-up series for pacers filling the twelve race card.

In addition, the card originally scheduled for Friday (Dec. 12) will race in its entirety with the same race numbers, post positions and horses on Monday (Dec. 15).

Cumberland Raceway will continue with three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) through Dec. 21, 2025. Post time remains 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Cumberland Friday card postponed to Monday

Thursday, December 11, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

Cumberland, ME — First Tracks Cumberland management has announced that the Winter meet’s 13^th racing date scheduled for Friday (Dec. 12) has been postponed until Monday (Dec. 15). Post time remains 10:55 a.m., with the same program, race sequence and post positions originally slated for Friday to be held in its entirety on Monday.

The Saturday (Dec. 13) and Sunday (Dec. 14) programs remain unchanged at this time.

As always, timely updates can be found on the tracks website: firsttrackscumberland.com and on social media.

Jax Spratt prances to victory at Cumberland

December 9, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Local trotter Jax Spratt got back into the winners circle at Cumberalnd Raceway on Monday (Dec. 8) taking his $6,500 co-featured division of the Prancer Pop-Up Series.

On the race card that was originally scheduled for Saturday (Dec. 6), and held in it’s entirety two days later, the 5-year-old son of Devious Man made every call a winning one for driver-trainer Aaron Hall. Completing the circuit in 2:02.3, it was his ninth win of season and 28^th of his career.

Owned by Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps, he returned $4.60. Matt So Sure (Nick Graffam) finished second; Lindy On Stage (Wally Watson) was third.

In the other $6,500 division of the Prancer it was J S Peyton who also enjoyed the wire-to-wire route to victory, scoring in 2:03.1 for driver Nick Graffam and trainer Benson Merrill. The 10-year-old veteran by Swan For All is owned by the triumvirate of Bill Tracy, Marty Kiernan and Thelma Kiernan. He paid $3.80 for his seventh seasonal triumph and 50^th career win.

Ghetto Boy (Mike Stevenson) finished second; Devious Lad (Mike Cushing) was third.

Drivers Nick Graffam, Aaron Hall and Mike Stevenson all picked up driving doubles on the 9-race program.

Racing resumes on Friday (Dec. 12) as Cumberland Raceway has transitioned to three days of harness racing (Fri-Sat-Sun). The Au Revoir Retirement ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 20.

The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025. Post time is always 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Cumberland Winter Pop-Ups Dash Home

December 8, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – A host of Winter Pop-Up series were in full swing on Sunday (Dec. 7) with all of the holiday-themed events enjoying robust participation at Cumberland Raceway, complete with tight finishes and handsome payouts.

Perhaps the most exciting race of the day was the first $7,500 leg of the ‘Dasher’ series which witnessed a three-way battle between eventual winner Echos Sharkie (post 5, Aaron Hall) who bested Ahoy Hanover (4, James Douchette) and Dark As Night (1, Nick Graffam) by a short head.

Jamie Gerard owns and trains the 6-year-old son of Shadyshark Hanover who completed the circuit while parked the last half in 1:58.3. He returned $6.40 to his backers.

The second $7,500 Dasher split went to Mornin Captain (13-1, Mike Stevenson) who won by a nose over Circling The Pray (16-1, Nick Graffam), with the pair bringing home a $157.80 exacta. The winner paid $29.80 for the mile in 1:58.1.

The co-featured $8,000 ‘Blitzen’ events were captured by Rau Rau (1:57.4, $3.80) and Sheriff N (1:58, $3.60). Both were driven by Chris Long for trainer Zach Vickerson.

There were also five $5,000 divisions of the Comet series, with this week’s winners listed as: Fern Hill Flight (1:59.2, $2.80); Tobins Burke (1:58.1, $3.20); Justa Little Bit A (1:57.4, $2.20); Press Time (1:59.1, $13.20) and Fall In Line (1:59.1, $4.40). The second legs go next week for $6,000.

In other news, Benson Merrill drove General Ward to a wire-to-wire victory in the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club event, scoring in 1:59.4. Trained by Jim Dunn, the 8-year-old son Somebeachsomewhere kept the 1/5 favorite Premier Joy A (Todd Whitney) at bay to grab his fifth win of the season. He returned $7.00 and is owned by Diane Dunn.

Driver Chris Long had four wins on the program and McGwire Sowers picked up a pair of victories.

Racing resumes on Monday for a special re-scheduled card, which was postponed from last Saturday (Dec. 6). The same races, horses and post positions will compete as originally drawn.

Cumberland Raceway has transitioned to three days of harness racing (Fri-Sat-Sun) which continues December 12. The Au Revoir Retirement ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 20.

The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025. Post time is always 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Last Call for Au Revoir retirees; Three-day weekend at Cumberland

December 2, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – For the fifth season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 20. The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing or have retired within the last four years, and have Maine connections.

Ten retirees have already been entered, and those 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. This shall serve as the tracks ‘last call’ for entries. Trainers or owners must ‘declare’ their horse by Dec. 3. To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

Lucan Hanover & Aaron Hall
2024 millionaire retiree
(Joe Shaw photo)

First Tracks Cumberland has transitioned to a three-day weekend of racing, adding the Friday (Dec. 5) card, which compliments the Saturday (Dec. 6) and Sunday (Dec. 7) programs. First post: 10:55 am.

Draw dates will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday respectively, with the box closing at 12 noon each day.

Racing at Cumberland continues three days each weekend through December 21, 2024.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Vickerson takes three at Cumberland

December 1, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Conditioner Zach Vickerson had three horses racing on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland, and won with all three.

In the 3^rd race $5,000 featured pace, top teamster Kevin Switzer Jr. sent heavy 1-9 favorite Rock Candy out to an early lead, but so did McGwire Sowers with the 6-1 Vel Mr Nice Guy. Switzer Jr. re-took just past the :28.4 opening panel, and never looked back.

Guiding the field through a softer 1:00 mid-way point, the first to move from the rim was Spicey P (18-1, Steve Wilson) who advanced all the way to second while first over at the 1:28.3 third station.

Under a hand drive, Rock Candy exploded at the head of the stretch to gain the advantage over a fast-closing Vel Mr Nice Guy. The pacesetter prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58. Also owned by his trainer Zach Vickerson, the 9-year-old son of Pet Rock returned $2.20.

Time For George (Dave Ingraham) finished third.

Vickerson and Switzer Jr. also teamed up for the swiftest race of the day when Rau Rau held off a late charge by Instant Replay (2-1, Shawn Thayer) to complete the wire-to-wire circuit in 1:57. Vickerson owns the 7-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight, who paid $3.00 in the 6^th race, winning the $4,800 conditioned pace by a head.

The Vickerson and Switzer Jr. duo came back in the 11^th race, $4,600 pace to fashion a third gate-to-wire rout, scoring with Sheriff N in 2:01. Once again, owned by Vickerson, the 11-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight was the heavy 1-9 favorite and returned $2.20 for his measured-length triumph.

In other news, James Doucette captured the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club event with his own Ahoy Hanover. Trained by Autym Sowers, the 4-year-old son Captaintreacherous was parked the last half and wore down the 4/5 favorite Never Say Never N (Todd Whitney) who cut the fractions. Tripping the timer in 1:58.3, it was the second victory of the season for the 25-year-old Doucette, who returned $4.60.

Leading reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. added to his monstrous lead in the drivers standings, steering a total of five winners on the 13-race program. Switzer Jr. now has 104 wins this year at Cumberland, double that of his nearest competitor McGwire Sowers who has 52. Aaron Hall and Steve Wilson each grabbed a pair while Dave Ingraham got to within one win of his 8,000 victory threshold.

Horsemen are reminded to check the new condition sheet and our website for a host of exciting Winter Pop-Up Series for the month of December. Boasting up to $179,000 in purses, the races have increased prizes, as well as consolations and finals, for the six different events available.

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card.

The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing next week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5. The Au Revoir Retirement ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 20. Entries close Wednesday (Dec. 3).

The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025. Post time remains 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Brutalizer bulldozes foes at Cumberland

November 30, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Andy Harrington sent Brutalizer right to the front in the $5,500 top trot on Saturday (Nov. 29) at First Tracks Cumberland, and never looked back.

Making his fourth start for his new connections trainer Sara Harrington and owner Kyle Gibbs, the 4-year-old son of Alarm Detector spent most of the last few years racing in the state of Delaware. Recently, he settled for place and show positions over his acclimation period, but burst out of his harness to take the day’s feature.

As the gate sprung To My Credit (3-1, Mike Stevenson) made an uncharacteristic miscue from the rim and took back to last, while Inquiring Mind (2-1, Steve Wilson) stretched the 6/5 favorite Brutalizer to a sharp :29 opening panel. Harrington softened the tempo and took the field down to a 1:00.1 mid-way point, with the pack following along in single file formation.

Kevin Switzer Jr. pulled Little Macabee (9-1) first over from fourth position, with To My Credit having regained his composure following the cover second over. The pacesetter used the opportunity to put some distance on the challengers, hitting the third panel in 1:30.2 and gaining ground with every stride.

Down the stretch it was a race for second as Brutalizer had five lengths on the field and could not be caught. To My Credit swung wide to grab second, Storm Bringer (7-1, Aaron Hall) was third.

Brutalizer returned $4.40 for the mile in 2:01.1, picking up his ninth lifetime victory, and seventh of the season. His seasonal total reached $70,569.

In other news, everyone’s favorite octogenarian Bob Nadeau found the winner’s circle with his own Azariya. Scoring from pylon position, the 87-years-young teamster made every call a winning one, tripping the timer in 2:00.1. The 5-year-old daughter of Lazarus is also owned and trained by the iron-tough cement salesman, and she returned $26.20 as an added bonus. The exacta paid $33.00 with 28-year-old Jason Bertolini’s On Line finishing second by a neck. The age differential on the passionate owner-trainer-drivers is plus-59.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. grabbed four wins on the card, with Chris Long, a recent addition to the drivers colony, picking up a pair of victories on the post-Thanksgiving program.

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card.

The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025. Post time remains 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Brutalizer looks for Downeast pay dirt at Cumberland

November 28, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Delmarva transplant Brutalizer will try to give his new connections a victory in the $5,500 top trot on Saturday (Nov. 29) at First Tracks Cumberland

The absence of recent two-time winner Big Al M makes the Sara Harrington-trained trotter the 2-1 favorite in this week’s edition of the trotting feature. Husband Andy Harrington is at the controls and has guided the horse to second or third place finishes in all three of his previous outings.

Scoring from post five, the 4-year-old son of Alarm Detector already has six wins in 33 seasonal starts, earning $67,819 in the process. Saddled with post seven last week, the accomplished high-stepper took his 1:57.4 record over the half-mile track at Harrington earlier in the year, and looks to make this Downeast two-circuit oval his new favorite stomping grounds.

To My Credit (7-2, Mike Stevenson) will also be trying to grab the lion’s share of the purse as he scores from pylon position for trainer Allison MacDonald. The 5-year-old son of the immortal Credit Winner has five wins and $25,885 earned this year. He won two weeks ago against gentler company, showing that he can do it on the front end.

Veteran teamster ‘Double-digit Dave’ Ingraham is just two wins shy of his 8,000^th career victory, now sitting at 7,998 lifetime wins. Over the weekend Ingraham has 16 drives: seven on Saturday and nine on Sunday.

Driving harness horses since 1980, the 63-year-old has 71 wins this year with earnings of $600,545. Over his 45-year career he has driven the winners of $32.8 million and enjoyed a dozen seasons with a million or more in earnings. His statistically best year was 1995 where the Maine-native won 403 races and $2.7 million in purses.

The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the ninth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card. Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing next week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5. The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025. Post time remains 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Dealt A Winner wins 50th race at Cumberland

November 24, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Millionaire world champion Dealt A Winner found the winners circle for the fiftieth time on Sunday (Nov. 23) at Cumberland Raceway, showing the Downeast’s top pacers that he still has what it takes.

The 13-year-old son of Cam’s Card Shark has been behind the starting gate on over 240 occasions, winning Triple Crown events, Grand Circuit stakes races, and top class free-for-all events over his storied career. At 3, he won the Cane Pace at the Meadowlands in 1:47.3, defeating some of the top pacers of his generation, including Wiggle It Jiggleit, Dude’s The Man and Artspeak. He equaled that mark two years later by taking the Allerage at The Red Mile, defeating Hall of Famer McWicked in the process.

Now owned and trained by Scott Vickerson, the accomplished veteran sat a perfect two-hole trip in the $4,800 featured pace with driver Shawn Thayer.

Wagering favorite Fern Hill Flight (8-5, Nick Graffam) took the field through an opening panel of :29, while Thayer wrestled Dealt A Winner into a tight pocket. Heading to the 1:00.1 mid-way point Kevin Switzer Jr. had Gotta Minute N (9-5) rolling first over, followed by Chasing Goosebumps (14-1, Andy Harrington) picking up the outer flow cover.

Into the 1:29.2 third station Fern Hill Flight had gained some separation, with Chasing Goosebumps tipping three wide on the outside. Meanwhile, Dealt A Winner pulled the pocket around the final turn to engage the pacesetter. In deep stretch, the winner of $1.5 lifetime found an extra gear and stormed home in 1:59.3 to score by 1-1/2 lengths.

Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Dealt A Winner returned $11.00. Fern Hill Flight finished second; Airspinder (Dave Ingraham) got up for third.

Todd Whitney won the Maine Amateur Driving event with Celtic Tiger for trainer Ryan Berry, returning $4.00.

Red hot reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. sent six horses to the winners circle, including the first four races, and increased his insurmountable 50+ dash win lead in the drivers standings.

Dave Ingraham got two wins closer to his 8,000 victory career milestone, with just two wins needed to eclipse the benchmark. Veteran Ingraham now sits at 7,998 lifetime wins after scoring with Reys N A Ruckus (1:59, $11.20) and So Unnsurreal (2:03, $8.60).

Racing resumes on Saturday (November 29) at Cumberland. Our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November. Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5. The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Big Al M does it again at Cumberland

November 23, 2025 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Big Al M was able to overcome the eight-hole and sprint to a wire-to-wire rout on Saturday (Nov. 22) at Cumberland Raceway, copping his second $5,500 conditioned trot feature in as many weeks.

When the Wes Brown starting gate wings folded top teamster Kevin Switzer Jr. blasted the 1/5 favorite out on a quest for the front end. Mike Stevenson secured To My Credit (10-1) in the pocket, with Dave Ingraham and Inquiring Mind (11-1) settling third.

Following a taxing :28.1 opening panel the duo was able to soften the tempo while in command and moving toward the mid-way point. Big Al M arrived at the half in 58.1 with Valyrian Steel (9-1, Cain MacKenzie) moving first over, followed by Brutalizer (5-1, Andy Harrington) second up.

No changes in the sequence followed as Switzer Jr. had control of the field through the 1:28 third station, when Harrington tipped Brutalizer three-wide to take his shot at the leader.

With the stretch drive underway, and a myriad of challengers trying valiantly to catch the pacesetter, Switzer Jr. hand-drove the 7-year-old son of Anders Bluestone to a 2-1/4 length victory in 1:59.1.

Owned and trained by Zach Vickerson, it was his tenth win of the season and 32^nd of his career. Returning $2.60, he increased his lifetime bankroll to $523,455.

Inquiring Mind finished second; Brutalizer got up for third.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. enjoyed five wins on the program, and Mike Stevenson picked up a double, both of which lit up the tote board. His own Coocooforcoco (2:00.1) paid $35.20 to win, and Kandace Niles’ Sweet Scarlett (2:02) returned $39.40.

Racing resumes on Sunday (November 23) at Cumberland. The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the ninth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts. Post time is 10:55 am for the 12-race card.

Our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November. Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5. The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/