August 3, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Maine faithful must have been impressed with the results of the 100^th Hambletonian won by a Swedish-born horse in a stakes record 1:50 at the Meadowlands, because shortly after Ake Svanstedt’s Nordic Catcher S won the prestigious $1 million dollar race on Saturday (Aug. 2), the horsemen at Cumberland Raceway put on a speed show of their own.

The featured race of the day, the annual $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, witnessed history in the making as former Maine Sire Stakes star Two Fold Cold (5-2, Dave Ingraham) allowed the front end fisticuffs to unfold in front of him.  So Rock N Roll (Bruce Ranger) protected his pylon position at the start which forced 1/5 favorite Tenzing Bromac N (Ron Cushing) to push onward to take command into a swift :27.1 opening panel.

Past the :57 half Drew Campbell tipped Instant Replay from fifth, thus flushing the cover of Ingraham who was forced to pull Two Fold Cold around the five-eighths pole.  Gaining ground with every stride Two Fold Cold poked a head in front of the pacesetter through the snappy 1:24.2 third quarter station and took the top through the final turn.

As Ingraham checked over his shoulder and crossed over the long shadow of the grandstand, the pacer stopped the timer in 1:53.1, which was the fastest mile ever paced in the history of Cumberland Raceway.  Not only was it an all-age track record for pacers, but also the fastest for a 4-year-old pacing gelding.

Owned by Marc Tardif and trained by Kelly Case, the son of Deuce Seelster was bred in Maine by Gary and Kristina Hall.  His fourth win of the season, and 20^th lifetime, Two Fold Cold paid $6.80 to win by a comfortable four length margin.

Tenzing Bromac finished second; Instant Replay was third.

A few races later while dusk began to settle over the Downeast oval, Drew Campbell sent Alex Having Fun out to the front in a snappy :27.4 first quarter.  From that point the only questions remaining were how fast, and by how many? 

By the 1:25.1 third panel Alex Having Fun had established a four length advantage, and by the head of the stretch that command had increased to eight.

Under the wire, it became obvious that records were made to be broken, as Campbell unleashed the 8-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven and the pair sprinted home all alone in 1:53.0 by 14-1/4 lengths, eclipsing the previously established all-age pacing track record.

Owned and trained by Kimberly Vafiades, Alex Having Fun won his third start of the season and 38th of his career, paying $2.80 to win.  The new standard will surely stand for at least a few months as racing resumes for the annual Cumberland Fair in late September.

Velocity Sub Z (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Ever Hoping A (Ron Cushing) was third.

Earlier in the card Ron Cushing steered Beat Bobby Bayou to a 1:56.2 romp in the $10,000 Open Trot.  Re-writing the record books and establishing a new all-age track record for trotters, the 4-year-old son of Hill I Am is owned by Steve Moskowitz Racing and paid $2.20 to win.

Judge Bob (Drew Campbell) finished second; Big Al M (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

Two $11,623 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers were captured by Real Horrorshow (Kevin Switzer Jr., 2:00.2, $2.20) and Mia’s Boy (Mark Athearn, 2:03.1, $15.80).  Dalton Lee won the $8,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club final with Jaxson R Browne in 2:00, paying $27.80.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers by winning three races on the program, en route to seasonal honors as the perennial leading reinsman also led the dash win total (57) for the 35 race dates during Cumberland’s extended Spring/Summer pari-mutuel meet.  McGwire Sowers, who led early on, finished second with 51, Drew Campbell was third with 37.

The leading conditioners were Autumn Sowers (38), Benson Merrill (32) and Andy Harrington (22).

Racing replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for the annual Cumberland Fair, which starts Sunday, September 21 and continues daily through Sunday, September 28.  The Maine Sire Stakes freshman finals highlight the card on Saturday (Sept. 27). 

The Winter Festival reconvenes on Nov. 2 and races through Dec. 21.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 20. 

A complete schedule can be found at: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/

August 2, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Massive Speed showed that he is the big man on campus this season in the Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old male pacing division, picking up his fifth in a row on Friday (Aug. 1) at Cumberland Raceway.

Winning the first $11,937 division of the glamour boys group in lifetime best equaling 1:57.4, the Marc Tardif trainee has not seen the back of helmet since last season when he anointed himself the ‘Maine’ Monster of the Midway with a perfect 10-for-10 in the freshman follies.

Driven from pillar to post by Bruce Ranger for owner Leighton Property, the son of Dude’s The Man has earned a handsome sum of $30,291 this year, to bring his lifetime bankroll to $164,821.  

Bred in Maine by Laurie Harding, Massive Speed won in hand by 4-3/4 lengths and paid $2.40 as the 1/5 favorite.  Race Me Celtic (Drew Campbell) finished second; Ridgecrest Dan (John Nason) was third.

In the second $11,937 division Keenan Star (9-2, Heath Campbell) rolled out to an early lead, clearing just after the :28.3 opening panel.  Easing the tempo a bit, the son of Western Maverick led the pack through a softer :59.2 mid-way point.

Public choice No Guts No Glory (4/5, McGwire Sowers) got away last and had made up significant ground and headed the pacesetter into the 1:29 third panel.  While the aggressor showed some guts with his first over move, he failed to reap the glory as Keenan Star fought back and drew away with a length victory in 1:59.2.

Owned, trained and bred by Valerie Grondin, it was the first win of the year for the homebred colt, earning a new time badge for his efforts.  He paid $11.00 to win.

I’m Not Maverick (Mike Stevenson) finished second; Just Aftermidnight (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers with three wins on the program.

Racing resumes on the final day of the summer meet Saturday (Aug. 2), which includes a full card simulcast of Hambletonian Day from the Meadowlands, as well as two $11,623 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers.  Doors open at 12 noon, but first live post is still 3:15 pm.

The featured race of the day is the annual $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, which is carded as race nine.  Leading the charge in this group is Tenzing Bromac N (2-1, Ron Cushing) who was just third in the $75,000 Beckwith Memorial at Plainridge.  With 20 wins down under, the 8-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight is making his first start on a half-mile track.

Former Maine Sire Stakes star Two Fold Cold (5-2, Dave Ingraham) is the second choice from post four, and he finished second in that same rich Beckwith Mem.

In addition, there are two $11,623 divisions of 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers, a $10,000 Open Trot, and three $8,000 End of Summer Pop Up Series finals.

Post time for both days is 3:15 pm, and there is a Trifecta in all races, and the program also features a plethora of exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

Live video and replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.

July 28, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo: SNOWONTHEPINES)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers rolled through Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (July 27), with both distaffs taking new records in the process.

In the first $11,623 division Snowonthepines made every call a winning one, with nary an anxious moment, en route to a 2:01.4 new lifetime record.

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif and owner/breeder Leighton Property, the daughter of Dude’s The Man has now secured three straight victories in her division and sits comfortably atop the point standings.

She paid $3.00 to win by 2-1/2 lengths.  Perfectly Lovely (Aaron Hall) finished second; She’s A Firefly (Nick Graffam) was third.

Switzer also got pay dirt in the second $11,799 division with McKenna Jeanne, scoring by a neck in a new career best 2:03.  Trained by Gary Hall for owner/breeder Bill McElvain Jr., the daughter of Dude’s The Man paid $4.20 for her first stakes victory in wire-to-wire fashion.

Ekorus (Nick Graffam) sat a pocket trip and closed strongly and got up to the victor’s head check to be second.  Dudelookslikeafily (McGwire Sowers) finished third.

Several $6,000 End of Summer Pop Up series legs were contested, with legs going to Royalty Again (1:57.1, $13.00); Miki De Vie (1:57.3, $2.60); Commondiscourtesy (1:57.3, $7.40) and Prince Bayard (1:57, $3.40) on the pacing side.  Trotting legs went to Devious Valentine (2:02.1, $5.40) and Gemstone Pillar (2:02.1, $5.00).  The finals will race for $8,000 each on Saturday’s (Aug. 2) closing day.

Ryan Berry won the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club with his own Juneparker in 2:00.2, paying $4.00.

Drivers Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. each enjoyed four wins on the program, and with his recent flurry of victories Switzer Jr. has taken the top in seasonal dash wins (51) leading into the final week of racing at Cumberland.  McGwire Sowers (48) and Drew Campbell (33) round out the top three in the talented drivers colony.

Replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.

Racing resumes on Friday (Aug. 1) at 3:15 pm, and will continue through the final day of the Summer meet Saturday (Aug. 2), which features a full card simulcast of the Hambletonian from the Meadowlands and the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace.

July 27, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – A relative tsunami of Maine-bred trotters converged on Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (July 26) afternoon, with six $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for the 2- and 3-year-old diagonally gaited sets.

Last year’s freshman trotting champion, Whatawonder (1/5), made his sophomore debut in his $11,976 division, after missing the first four weeks of the series.  Regular pilot Ken Watson put the son of Whataworkout on the lead where the heretofore unbeaten gelding likes to be placed.

However, by the third station Liberty’s Wildcard (8/5, Kevin Switzer Jr.), this year’s star with the unblemished record had other intentions.  He looked the pacesetter right in the eye, and went right on by.  Lengthening his lead with every stride, the son of Noble Venture rolled on to win by 3-3/4 lengths in 2:02, a new lifetime best.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was the fifth consecutive victory for the divisional leader Liberty’s Wildcard.  He was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr. and paid $5.40.

In the first of two $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies Little Shot (2-1, Ivan Davies) sat a perfect two-hole trip behind Race Me Bombshell (7-1, Drew Campbell) and took their shot down the backstretch.  Ultamately, Little Shot overpowered the pacesetter to score by a length in 2:03.2, a seasonal mark and first win of the year.

Also trained by Ivan Davies, the daughter of Noble Venture is owned and was bred by Dr. Douglass Hutchins.  She paid $4.40 to win.  Heavy 1/5 favorite Barbella (Nick Graffam) recovered from several miscues to be third.

In the second division for sophomore trotting fillies even money favorite Twisted Fate (Mike Cushing) cruised to a wire-to-wire romp in a lifetime best 2:04 by over 10 open lengths.

Trained by Mike Cushing for owners / breeders Mike Graham and Nelson DiPompo Jr., the daughter of Whataworkout paid $4.20.

Pandemic Princess (Heath Campbell) finished second; Belabelle (Eric Bickmore) was third.

The virtual tornado of trotting bloodstock resulted in half the day’s program dedicated to the Pine Tree State-bred dynamos, with all divisions of freshman trotters also up for grabs. 

The $11,254 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies was captured by Hayden, who went from pillar to post from pylon position for trainer driver Gary Hall in 2:06, a new lifetime best.

Owned and bred by Stephen Hall, her only anxious moment came from Our Last Quote (7-1, Steve Wilson) who got to within a head of the pacesetter as the duo matched strides down the homestretch.  Hayden, a daughter of Cantab Fashion, paid $6.00 to win.

Nobella (16-1, Ken Watson) finished third.

Pembroke Lady (1/9, Heath Campbell) went a virtual training mile in the other $11,429 division for 2-year-old trotting fillies, scoring in a new lifetime best 2:07.4 by four open lengths.  Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner Brenda Varney, she paid $2.20 and was bred by the late Bill Varney.

Roseapple Ave (Wally Watson) finished second; Race Me Boomer (Bill Childs) was third.

Heavy 1/9 favorite Wilder N Idy also had things his own way in the freshman colt split, winning by half of the length of the stretch in 2:03.4, which shaved a full four seconds off his previous lifetime best.

Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn and owner Patrick Leavitt, the son of Cantab Fashion paid $2.20 and was bred by the late Mike Andrew.

Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) finished second; Trottinfortreasure (Switzer Jr.) was third.

Sunday’s (July 27) special 12 noon card welcomes two $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers, as well as six individual $6,000 End of Summer Pop Up series legs with finals going on closing day (Aug. 2) for $8,000.

As always, there is a Trifecta in all races, and the program also features a plethora of exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.  Saturday (July 26) brings a $720.05 carryover in the Pentafecta.

Live video and replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue through August 2, featuring full card simulcast of the Hambletonian from the Meadowlands.

July 26, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. pulled off a clean sweep of the Maine Sire Stakes on Friday (July 25) at Cumberland Raceway, en route to winning five races over the course of the entire 12-race program.

In the featured pair of $11,623 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, all eyes were upon the unbeaten Real Horrorshow (1/9, Switzer Jr.) as the freshmen standout was looking for his third straight victory in his Pine Tree State-bred division.  The son of Dude’s The Man did not disappoint as he sprung from the gate and never looked back. 

Arriving at the opening station in :29.3, the followers Daytoremember (7-2, Heath Campbell) and Wowzah Clousah (19-1, Mike Cushing) scurried to keep up the pace from their respective second and third positions.

Heading into the softer 1:01.1 half mile marker the parked out Dude’s The Jet (20-1, McGwire Sowers) had ranged his way up to challenge in second.  Down the backstretch Real Horrorshow let out a notch with Daytoremember right on his helmet, while Dude’s The Jet succumbed to that good Downeast air following a 1:30.2 third panel.

Rolling down the stretch Daytoremember made it a horse race as he stayed within a few steps of the pacesetter.  However Real Horrorshow showed that he is the real thing as he stayed focused and paced to a new lifetime best 1:59.1, winning by 1-1/2 lengths.

Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. for owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., he paid $2.20 as the heavy favorite.  He was bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum.

Wowzah Clousah hung on for third.

In the other $11,623 division for male freshmen sidesteppers the Tardif Taskforce came loaded for bear and proceeded to hit the 2-3-1 Trifecta ($13.00).

Ghost Of Winter (3-2, Switzer Jr.) took the field to the :29.4 opening panel, with Deuces Red (12-1, Nick Graffam) parked on the outside of Nuh Uh (3/5, Aaron Hall) as the field continued through the first circuit.  Past the 1:00.4 mid-way point, not much had changed, and by the 1:31 third panel Deuces Red was still parked and pulling the ear plugs. 

Around the final turn driver Andy Harrington pulled Quint Asper (11-1) three wide around stalling cover to engage the leaders.

Down the lane Ghost Of Winter drifted out a bit allowing Nuh Uh up the inside and the pair battled down stretch.  Under the shadow of the wire the pacesetter got a little steppy but managed to prevail by a scant quarter length in 2:01.4 over Nuh Uh.

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif and owner Leighton Property, the son of Deuce Seelster picked up his maiden victory along with a new time badge.  He paid $5.00 to win and was bred by Kristina Hall.

Marc Tardif was also the trainer of second place finisher Nuh Uh, as well as Silence Ofdarkness (23-1, Sowers) who got up for third.

Jax Spratt won the featured $5,500 conditioned trot in 2:01.1.  Trained and driven by Aaron Hall for owner Bill Phipps, the 5-year-old son of Devious Man paid $9.00 to win.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers by winning a total of five races on the program.

Looking ahead to Saturday (July 26) all the Maine-bred trotters converge upon Cumberland for six $11,000-plus divisions for both 2- and 3-year-olds of both genders.  Post time is the regular  3:15 pm.

Sunday’s (July 27) special 12 noon card welcomes two $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers, as well as six individual $6,000 End of Summer Pop Up series legs with finals going on closing day (Aug. 2) for $8,000.

As always, there is a Trifecta in all races, and the program also features a plethora of exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.  Saturday (July 26) brings a $720.05 carryover in the Pentafecta.

Live video and replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue through August 2.

July 20, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers opened the program at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (July 19) for week two of the freshmen Pine Tree State-bred action.

In the $11,623 opener wagering favorite Snowonthepines (1/5, Kevin Switzer Jr.) stormed to the lead from post five, after being parked to the opening panel by Heymickeyyousofine (5/2, John Nason) in :31 seconds flat.

The field progressed in single file fashion until the softer 1:03.4 half mile marker where She’s A Firefly (10-1, Nick Graffam) brushed first over to improve position from sixth.  The aggressor drew even with the pacesetter past the 1:34.3 third station, however, She’s A Firefly could not maintain her pace around the final turn, allowing Snowonthepines to pace away from the field and roll down the stretch.

Tripping the timer in 2:05 like breaking sticks, the daughter of Dude’s The Man is trained by Marc Tardif and owned by her breeder Leighton Property.  She paid $2.40 to win her second consecutive lifetime stakes victory by 2-1/2 lengths.

Heymickeyyousofine got up for second, She’s A Firefly hung on for third.

In the second $11,798 division Perfectly Lovely made every call a winning one, stepping out to the front and never looking back.  Driven by Aaron Hall, the 3/5 favorite led the field through opening fractions of :30.2 and 1:03, relatively unfettered.

However, while approaching the 1:34.4 third panel McKenna Jeanne (6/5, Heath Campbell) blasted up to challenge for the lead.  That effort was short-lived as the final turn caused an unsteady gait which allowed the pacesetter to power down the stretch and score by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:04.1, a new lifetime best.

Trained by Jimmy Nickerson for owner Joseph Trice, the daughter of Western Maverick was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.  She paid $3.20 to win.

Ekorus (10-1, Graffam) finished second; McKenna Jeanne was third.

In the $6,000 winners over class, Drew Campbell scored from post seven with Instant Replay (1:55.2, $4.20) in one of the fastest miles of the season.  Trained by Kimberly Vafiades for owner Jason Vafiades, it was his first win of the year.

Ryan Berry took the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club event with his own June Parker (1:58.1) and paid a whopping $36.20.

Kevin Switzer Jr. and Drew Campbell each enjoyed three wins on the program.  McGwire Sowers leads all drivers with 47 victories during the Spring/Summer meet.  With five cards remaining, Switzer is second with 37, Drew Campbell is third with 33.  Autumn Sowers (34) and Benson Merrill (29) lead the trainer’s standings.

Racing resumes on Friday (July 25) with two $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and gelding, followed by full cards on Saturday (July 26) and a special added program on Sunday (July 27) with a 12:00 noon post time.

Live video and replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. Regular post time is 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

July 19, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Three $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old male and female trotters enhanced the program at Cumberland Raceway on Friday (July 18) with some fresh faces making their pari-mutuel and Downeast debuts.

A lone $11,391 division of Maine-bred freshmen colts and geldings was featured in the opener, with three of the four participants making their inaugural purse starts.  Last week’s walkover introduced Wilder N Idy to the trotting ranks, where the son of To The Hilt cruised the historic Bass Park oval all alone for driver Mark Athearn and trainer Gretchen Athearn.

This week the colt had some company, although the first-time starters saw nothing but the back of Athearn’s helmet as he set comfortable early fractions of :32.2 and 1:05.3 before kicking into another gear.  Putting five lengths between himself and his nearest competitor, Trottinfortreasure (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.), at the 1:36.2 swifter third station, the Michael Andrew-bred colt was not finished yet.

Having reached the wire with a 10-1/4 length advantage, Athearn had Wilder N Idy on cruise control for the 2:07.4 finish.  Posting a new lifetime best, he paid $2.80 for owner Patrick Leavitt.

Gus’s Workout (5-1, Heath Campbell) finished third.

In the first $11,254 trotting filly division driver Heath Campbell put 1/5 favorite Pembroke Lady into motion and never looked back, scoring in 2:08.1 by 7-1/4 lengths.  The daughter of Pembroke Slugger is now two-for-two in Maine Sire Stakes events, having set her mark of 2:08 in her last start at Bangor.

Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner Brenda Varney, she paid $2.40 to win. Pembroke Lady was bred in Maine by the late Bill Varney.

Two daughters of first crop sire Cantab Fashion made their seasonal bows.  Jazaa (9-2, Nick Graffam) took an early lead against this group, settling into the two-hole and was trotting along nicely until throwing in some steps around the three-quarter pole, but held on to be third. 

Our Last Quote (9-1, Steve Wilson), another daughter of Cantab Fashion inherited the two-hole and finished second.

In the second $11,429 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies 1/9 favorite Heyden (Gary Hall) jumped at the start which allowed Coronation Moon (9-1, Ivan Davies) to take over the top spot and lead the field through the remaining panels.

Scoring by 8 lengths in 2:07.2, it was a successful first lifetime start for the daughter of Cantab Fashion, who paid $20.20 to win for trainer-driver Ivan Davies.  She is owned by Owen Davies who co-bred with Catherine Davies.

Hayden, also a daughter of Cantab Fashion, finished second; Race Me Boomer (32-1, William Childs) was third.

Sarah’s Lilly won the $5,500 featured overnight in 1:57.3 with McGwire Sowers aboard.  She paid $20.80.  Gowestyounggrace (4-1, Dave Ingraham) finished second; Maggie At Bat (7-1, Andy Harrington) was third.

Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers with four wins on the program.

Racing resumes on Saturday (July 19) with two $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies.

For bettors, there is a Trifecta in all races, and the program also features a surplus of exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

Live video and replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. Regular post time is 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.  There will be a special added program on Sunday, July 27, with a 12:00 noon post time. 

July 13, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – With the Maine Sire Stakes in full swing, the 3-year-old pacing fillies made their second visit to Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (July 12) featuring two $11,926 divisions for the fourth leg of the lucrative Pine Tree State program.

Co-favorites Chasing Dudes (4/5, Nick Graffam) and Leanne Marie (4/5, Mike Cushing) got away from the car in one-two position, with Graffam taking point into a :31 opening panel.  The field remained in perfect alignment through a 1:02.3 half, with Leanne Marie opting for the outer flow as the field approached the 1:33.2 third station.

With Cushing moving his filly right alongside Graffam’s charge, the fans were treated to lengthy battle to the wire as the pair matched strides and traded positions around the final turn and down the stretch.  With the give and take nearly exhausted, and the wire approaching quickly, Leanne Marie made one more final brush and overtook Chasing Dudes to prevail by a scant quarter length in 2:01.2.

Trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing and owned and bred by the trio of Pamela Smith, Jane DiPompo and Charlene Cushing, the daughter of Artistic Fella picked up her second win of the season, paying $3.80.

Glorilla (11-1, Aaron Hall) finished third.

In the second $11,926 division the race saw a flurry of activity in the first quarter with Audry (23-1, Steve Wilson) protecting pylon position, Whisper Of Luck (10-1, McGwire Sowers) charging up between horses, and the series leader, Lysiun (1/9, Aaron Hall), moving swiftly on the outside in an effort to take command.  However that advantage was short-lived as the heavy favorite made an early uncharacteristic miscue at the :28.4 quarter pole and was no longer a factor.

Audry continued to show the way past a pedestrian 1:00.3 half, with Dudes Pretty Chick (9-1, Heath Campbell) in the pocket, followed by Whisper Of Luck.  Around the paddock turn and heading into the 1:32.2 third panel, Thinkin Bout Life (27-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) had pulled first over and then poked a head in front as the field rounded the final turn.

Down the stretch Switzer Jr. was high-lining the homebred daughter of Dude’s The Man, with the filly keeping all of the would-be spoilers at bay, scoring by a half-length in 2:03.1, a new lifetime best.  Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, it was a maiden breaking victory for the filly that is finally doing more ‘doin’ than ‘thinkin.’  She paid a whopping $56.60 to win.

Dudes Pretty Chick was a fast closing second; pacesetter Audry was third.

Bruce Ranger won the day’s top $5,000 overnight race with Velocity Sub Z in 1:55.4, which was a seasonal best and second in a row for the 11-year-old son of Art’s Chip who is owned and trained by Judson Merrill.  He paid $13.40 to win.

Both Bruce Ranger and Switzer Jr. enjoyed driving triples on the program.

The Maine Amateur Driving Club race was captured in overland style by James Douchette driving his own Ahoy Hanover to a nose victory over Rockaholic (Scott Farley) in 1:59.1.  Trained by Jimmy Nickerson, the 4-year-old son of Captaintreacherous paid $7.80 to win.

Live video and replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.

Racing resumes at Cumberland on Friday (July 18) and features Maine’s freshmen trotters, and continues on Saturday (July 19) with Pine Tree State-bred 2-year-old pacing fillies.

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  Sunday, July 27 has been added to accommodate Maine’s Freshmen Filly Pacers.  First post is at 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.

July 12, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Aspiring horse enthusiasts from Camp Kippewa helped usher in Maine’s newest crop of 2-year-old pacing fillies on Friday’s (July 11) program at Cumberland Raceway, opening the day’s events with two $11,448 divisions of the Maine Sires Stakes.

In the opening round, just like the 1980’s pop song, the crowd clapped and cheered for Heymickeyyousofine as the 2-year-old daughter of Dude’s The Man was sent on a wire-to-wire tour of the southern Maine venue.

Trained and driven to victory by John Nason who set fractions of :30.4, 1:04.4 and 1:36, the soon-to-be pop icon is a maiden no more.  Pacing her last quarter in :29.3, and winning in 2:05.3 by half a length over even money favorite Perfectly Lovely (Aaron Hall/Jimmy Nickerson), it was the filly’s first purse start, and first stakes victory.

Paying $4.80 to win, Heymickeyyousofine is owned by Jason Vafiades and was bred in Maine by Kimberly Vafiades, who were both on hand to celebrate the victory.

Dudelookslikeafily (McGwire Sowers/Marc Tardif) finished third.

In the second $11,448 division favorite McKenna Jeanne protected her pylon position and took command for driver Heath Campbell and set opening fractions of :30 and 1:02.1.  The 4/5 favorite acquired some company as the pocket-sitting Snowonthepines (Kevin Switzer Jr.) popped the deuce heading past the 1:33.2 third panel and the pair raced eye-to-eye around the final turn.

Snowonthepines had the momentum off the turn and was hand driven to victory by three parts of a length in 2:03, which established a new time badge.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, the rambunctious daughter of Dude’s The Man paid $6.60 to win.

She’s A Firefly (Nick Graffam/Mike Graffam) finished third.

Little Macabee won the $7,500 Pop Up Trot Final from well off the pace in 2:03.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Eric Bickmore and owner Maryann Tompkins, the 11-year-old son of Chapter Seven picked up his 43^rd career victory and second of the season, paying $12.40.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers with three wins on the program.

Racing continues on Saturday (July 12) and features two $11,926 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Leanne Marie (3-1, Mike Cushing) drew pylon position in the opener, and currently sits second in the point standings.  Third place belongs to Chasing Dudes (2-1, Nick Graffam) who scores from post five in the week four Maine-bred test.

In the second $11,926 division the series leader, Lysiun, with three straight wins to her credit gets a new pilot in Aaron Hall for trainer Heidi Cushing.  The daughter of Dude’s The Man has been installed as the 8-5 favorite, despite having drawn the outside post six.

For punters, there is a Trifecta in all races, and the program also features a surplus of exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

Live video and replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.

July 6, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Cumberland Raceway put on a blockbuster card with over $112,000 in total purses on Saturday (July 5), with an entire day filled with lucrative late closer finals and three divisions of the Maine Sires Stakes.

Always At My Place tripped out to take the $15,000 Portland Pacing Series late closer final in a seasonal-best equaling 1:56.3.

Scoring from post five, the 14-year-old son of Always A Virgin sat a perfect two-hole trip behind pacesetter Dinner Party (2-1, Drew Campbell) to tip out around the final turn and score handily by 2-1/4 lengths.

Driven by Bruce Ranger for owner-trainer Scott Vickerson, it was his fifth win of the year, and the 72^nd lifetime victory for the veteran pacer who paid $6.20 to win.

JL’s Rock Star (14-1, McGwire Sowers) finished second; Sheriff N (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

The $12,500 Bar Harbor final was captured by Windemere Ryan in 1:57.1.  Kevin Switzer Jr. guided the pacer from pillar to post for trainer Chris DuBois and owner Steve Rybka.  He paid $5.20.

Bruce Ranger took the overland route with Whata Twist to swoop the field and grab the $12,500 Moosehead final in 2:00.  Owned and trained by Mark Harris, he paid $5.80.

JS Peyton won the $12,500 Acadia Trotting Series final in 2:01.3.  Driven by Nick Graffam for trainer Benson Merrill and owners Bill Tracy, and John and Thelma Kiernan, it was a wire to wire score paying $4.80.

In Maine Sire Stakes action for 3-year-old trotters, Liberty’s Wildcard got his third win in a row while taking the $11,751 colt and gelding trot.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., the son of Noble Venture made every call a winning one for trainer Marc Tardif and owner Leighton Property.  He was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr. and paid $2.20 as the 1/9 heavy favorite.

Katahdin Victory (Wally Watson) finished second; Just Foolin (Heath Campbell) was third.

The ‘bells’ tolled in both the $11,000-plus Maine Sire Sires for 3-year-old trotting fillies as Belabelle scored her second stakes win of the season for trainer-driver Eric Bickmore.  The daughter of Noble Venture was an easy winner in 2:06.4 for owner Bill Phipps, scoring by 3-1/2 lengths.   She paid $6.20 for the win and was bred in Maine by Stephen F. Hall.

Twisted Fate (4/5, Mike Cushing) finished second; Lady Lake Marty (2-1, Ken Watson) was third.

In the second $11,699 division Barbella overcame an early miscue to bounce back and trot home strongly in 2:05.2.  Driven by Bruce Ranger for trainer Ken Anderson and owner Bob Zakian, the daughter of Whataworkout picked up her second consecutive victory, paying $5.40.  She was bred by the late Mike Andrew.

The pacesetter Little Shot (9/5, Ivan Davies) finished second; Race Me Bombshell (15-1, Drew Campbell) was third.

Driver Bruce Ranger led all drivers with three wins on the program.  McGwire Sowers leads all drivers after 13 weeks of racing with 43 wins.  Drew Campbell is second with 29, followed by Aaron Hall with 27.  Autym Sowers is the meet’s leading conditioner with 31 victories.

Live video and replays can be found on the track’s website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.