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.

July 5, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s fresh crop of 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings put on a show during Friday’s (July 4) Independence Day card at Cumberland Raceway, opening the program with two $10,500 divisions of the Maine Sires Stakes.

In the first division Kevin Switzer Jr. and 1/2 favorite Real Horrorshow sprinted to the lead with authority and pulled the field into a :29.3 opening panel.  Rebel’s Revenge (16-1, Aaron Hall) sat loose in the pocket with Itsjustmoney (5-2, Dave Ingraham) tracking along in third.

As Real Horrorshow put the group of green pacers to sleep with a 1:02.4 half, the son of Dude’s The Man was able to gain a three-length degree of separation from his followers into the 1:32.4 third stanza.  Silence ofdarkness (19-1, McGwire Sowers) pulled first over with Daytoremember (4-1, Heath Campbell) grabbing that cover in the outer flow as the group approached the final turn.

Down the stretch Real Horrorshow had a comfortable margin but Daytoremember had sling shot three-wide around the final turn and was bearing down on the leader.  The wire arrived with the pacesetter prevailing by 2-3/4 lengths in 2:04, giving Real Horrorshow a new lifetime mark.

Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. for owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., he paid $3.00 to win.

Bred by Luke and Patricia Varnun, ‘horrorshow’ is the phonetic spelling of ‘good’ in the language of Nadset, which was the dialect spoken in the 1971 cult classic film Clockwork Orange.  Real Horrorshow is from the Varnum’s Yankee Cruiser mare Pretty Eyes p,3,1:51.4 ($96,242) and is considered one of their favorite horses.

In the second $10,500 division, as expected Dude’s The Jet (1/2, Sowers) forged onto the lead, but not before some heavy lifting to get past Nuh Uh (7-1, Aaron Hall) and Quint Asper (6-1, Andrew Harrington) who had strategically protected their inside positions.

Dude’s The Jet finally grabbed command past the :29.3 opening panel, with Quint Asper enjoying a pocket trip and Nuh Uh sitting third.  As the field approached the 1:01.1 half mile marker, Switzer Jr. began his march forward with Ghost Of Winter (11-1) who had been trailing the field.

Past the 1:31.2 third station Dude’s The Jet enjoyed a comfortable margin but the challenge of Ghost Of Winter was short-lived allowing Nuh Uh to squeeze off the pylons and take it to the pacesetter.

The pair of freshmen pacers fought tooth and nail down the stretch with Nuh Uh having the momentum and the trip to upend the leader and prevail by three parts of a length in 2:03.1.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, the score established a new lifetime mark for the son of Deuce Seelster, who paid a handsome $16.60 to win.  He was bred in Maine by Gary and Kristina Hall.

Stable mate Dude’s The Jet finished second; Quint Asper was third.

Due to heavy rain last Saturday, a host of late closing series finals and consolations, were postponed and rescheduled for this week.  The Saturday (July 5) purses add up to $110,000 over the twelve-race card, which starts at the regular time of 3:15 pm.

The live harness racing includes four $12,500-plus finals of various late closing series, as well as three $10,500 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters. 

In Pine Tree State-bred action, three horses (two fillies and one colt) will try to maintain their current two-stakes race winning streaks.  Lady Lake Marty (2-1, Ken Watson) in race one; Pandemic Princess (2-1, Heath Campbell) in race three; and Liberty’s Wildcard (1-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) in race five, have all had everything their own way leading up to this week.  Only time, and perhaps the different venue, will tell the tale.

In overnight action, the richest of the four late closing series finals, the $15,000 Portland Pacing Series could see a repeat performance by the winner of the $12,500 Rockland series final, Dinner Party (5/2, Drew Campbell).  The 6-year-old son of American Ideal boasts five wins, four seconds and $25,540 in earnings this year.  He will have to tangle with the peaking Sheriff N (3-1, Switzer Jr.) who has won his last three but scores from post six.  Gate speed may tell the tale, as Always At My Place (9-2, Bruce Ranger) has shown he possesses while winning his previous leg in 1:56.3

For punters, 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.

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) (except July 4 which is 2:15 pm) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.

July 3, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Friday’s (July 4) Independence Day card at Cumberland Raceway gets an earlier 2:15 pm start, and the Saturday (July 5) program gets a ‘do-over’ following the cancellation of last week’s races and lucrative late closer finals.

The Fourth of July program kicks off at 2:15 pm with two $10,500 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for freshmen pacing colts.  For all of the entrants, it marks their first foray into purse racing.

Not surprising is that the Marc Tardif stable is loaded for bear and brings six colts and geldings to fray.  All the participants appeared to have behaved themselves in their first qualifiers, pacing around the Cumberland oval with ease. 

With sons and daughters of Dude’s The Man dominating the sophomore pacing ranks in the Pine Tree State, it is also not a shock that Real Horrorshow is the early 5/2 favorite.  A son of the aforementioned Adios-winning stallion, who is trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. and will be driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., he won his qualifier handily in 2:05.

In the second $10,500 division Dude’s The Jet is the 5/2 morning line choice, based up his 9-plus length romp in the slop to win his qualifier last week.  Trained and co-owned by Marc Tardif, he will be piloted by McGwire Sowers.

Due to heavy rain last Saturday, a host of late closing series finals and consolations, were postponed and rescheduled for this week.  The Saturday (July 5) purses add up to $110,000 over the twelve-race card, which starts at the regular time of 3:15 pm.

The live harness racing includes four $12,500-plus finals of various late closing series, as well as three $10,500 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters. 

In Pine Tree State-bred action, three horses (two fillies and one colt) will try to maintain their current two-stakes race winning streaks.  Lady Lake Marty (2-1, Ken Watson) in race one; Pandemic Princess (2-1, Heath Campbell) in race three; and Liberty’s Wildcard (1-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) in race five, have all had everything their own way leading up to this week.  Only time, and perhaps the different venue, will tell the tale.

In overnight action, the richest of the four late closing series finals, the $15,000 Portland Pacing Series could see a repeat performance by the winner of the $12,500 Rockland series final, Dinner Party (5/2, Drew Campbell).  The 6-year-old son of American Ideal boasts five wins, four seconds and $25,540 in earnings this year.  He will have to tangle with the peaking Sheriff N (3-1, Switzer Jr.) who has won his last three but scores from post six.  Gate speed may tell the tale, as Always At My Place (9-2, Bruce Ranger) has shown he possesses while winning his previous leg in 1:56.3

For punters, 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.

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) (except July 4 which is 2:15 pm) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.

June 28, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maplewood Slugger and John Nason hit a home run on Friday (June 27) winning the $5,000 featured trot at Cumberland Raceway.

Scoring from post three in the opener, the duo swung at the first pitch and took the early lead into a :28.4 opening panel.  From that point the veteran trainer-driver eased the tempo into softer fractions, hitting the half in :59.2.  With challengers at his flank the pair reached the third station in 1:30.

As High Gear No Fear (17-1, McGwire Sowers) was breathing down his neck the 6-year-old son of Pembroke Slugger stepped up to the plate and swung for the fences in 2:00.2, winning by 2-1/4 lengths.

Trained and driven by John Nason for owner-breeder Maxine Hadlock, he paid $8.60 to win his first race of the season and 17^th of his career.

High Gear No Fear finished second; favorite Matt So Sure was third.

The daily double ($24.10) was captured by Twin B High Tech in a wire-to-wire romp in 1:58.2. 

Aaron Hall drove the 5-year-old daughter of Lazarus N to victory in the $4,800 conditioned pace.

From the same nursery that brought you reigning Horse of the Year Twin B Joe Fresh, both mares are five years of age and surely roamed the same paddocks as youngsters at the McNiven family’s Twinbrook Farms in Enbro, Ontario.

She paid $9.60 to win.  Gowestyounggrace (Joe Wishard) finished second.

Aaron Hall won three races on the program (two for conditioner Jamie Gerard), and top gun McGwire Sowers picked a pair of winners for his wife, trainer Autym Sowers.

Racing continues on Saturday (June 21) with 11 races, including four $12,000-plus finals of various late closing series, as well as two $12,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers.  The total purses for the card equal $104,049.

In the glamour boys division for Pine Tree State-bred male pacers, the first $12,162 division will likely be a dash to beat the even money favorite Massive Speed (Walter Case Jr.).  Although it is early in the season, the 3-year-old son of Dude’s The Man appears to be the real thing for the powerful Tardif Taskforce, who is looking for his second in a row.  Dude’s Wanted Man (5-2, Heath Campbell) will probably be the horse to give the favorite a run for his money, as he is coming into form for trainer Valerie Grondin.

In the second $12,387 division of the Maine Sire Stakes Ridgecrest Dan (8/5, John Nason) is also looking to extend his winning streak from post four.  Dawn To Dark (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) looks to be the ‘dark horse’ of the race and could pop a big mile at any moment, having paced in 1:58 last week right next to his stable mate Massive Speed.

In overnight action, the richest of the four late closing series finals, the $15,000 Portland Pacing Series could see a repeat performance by the winner of the $12,500 Rockland series final, Dinner Party (5/2, Drew Campbell).  The 6-year-old son of American Ideal boasts five wins, four seconds and $25,540 in earnings this year.  He will have to tangle with the peaking Sheriff N (3-1, Switzer Jr.) who has won his last three but scores from post seven.  Gate speed may tell the tale, as Always At My Place (9-2, Bruce Ranger) has shown he possesses while winning last week’s leg in 1:56.3

The action kicks off at 3:15 pm on both Friday and Saturday, with a Trifecta in all 10 races, and the program also features a plethora of exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race (Friday $5K guar.), 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 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.

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – A host of late closing series finals and consolations, coupled with a pair of  Maine Sire Stakes events, add up to nearly $150,000 in total purses over this weekend’s harness racing at Maine’s Cumberland Raceway.  The action starts on Friday afternoon (June 27) with ten races and rolls on through Saturday (June 21) with a full, eleven race program of big purses.

Friday’s $5,000 featured trot engages recent winner Dynamical Tad (7/2, Dave Ingraham) against several equally matched high steppers in the opener.  Matt So Sure (2-1, Aaron Hall) and Maplewood Slugger (5/2, John Nason) all start from the center of the racetrack making this event an exciting sprint from start to finish.

Race three sees the start of the Pick-5 which carries a $5,000 guaranteed pool and a low 16% takeout.  The exotic wager is included on the slate of the USTA’s Strategic Wagering offerings, with a link to the program here: http://www.trackmaster.com/usta

Racing continues on Saturday (June 21) with 11 races, including four $12,000-plus finals of various late closing series, as well as two $12,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers.  The total purses for the card equal $104,049.

In the glamour boys division for Pine Tree State-bred male pacers, the first $12,162 division will likely be a dash to beat the even money favorite Massive Speed (Walter Case Jr.).  Although it is early in the season, the 3-year-old son of Dude’s The Man appears to be the real thing for the powerful Tardif Taskforce, who is looking for his second in a row.  Dude’s Wanted Man (5-2, Heath Campbell) will probably be the horse to give the favorite a run for his money, as he is coming into form for trainer Valerie Grondin.

In the second $12,387 division of the Maine Sire Stakes Ridgecrest Dan (8/5, John Nason) is also looking to extend his winning streak from post four.  Dawn To Dark (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) looks to be the ‘dark horse’ of the race and could pop a big mile at any moment, having paced in 1:58 last week right next to his stable mate Massive Speed.

In overnight action, the richest of the four late closing series finals, the $15,000 Portland Pacing Series could see a repeat performance by the winner of the $12,500 Rockland series final, Dinner Party (5/2, Drew Campbell).  The 6-year-old son of American Ideal boasts five wins, four seconds and $25,540 in earnings this year.  He will have to tangle with the peaking Sheriff N (3-1, Switzer Jr.) who has won his last three but scores from post seven.  Gate speed may tell the tale, as Always At My Place (9-2, Bruce Ranger) has shown he possesses while winning last week’s leg in 1:56.3

The action kicks off at 3:15 pm on both Friday and Saturday, with a Trifecta in all 10 races, and the program also features a plethora of exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race (Friday $5K guar.), 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 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.

June 22, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Sheriff N did not allow his outside post to thwart his pursuit for pay dirt as he took matters into his own hands and captured the fastest of two $7,500 divisions of the Portland Pacing Series on Saturday (June 21) at Cumberland Raceway.

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. the 11-year-old son of super sire Bettor’s Delight ‘lit ‘em up’ when the starting car pulled away and proceeded to make every call a winning one.  Reaching the quarter in a snappy :27.4, and the half in a more pedestrian :58.3, it was clear that Sheriff N (8-1) was going to have things his own way.

While maintaining a comfortable margin on the lead with just Forrest Blue (2-1, Aaron Hall) in first over chase, and favorite Dinner Party (4/5, Drew Campbell) poised in the pocket, Switzer let out a notch past the 1:27.1 third panel.  Popping the deuce around the final turn, the public’s choice made a valiant effort to catch the pacesetter.

The pair paced stride for stride down to the wire, with Sheriff N capturing the win by a half-length over Dinner Party in 1:56.2, a new seasonal best.

Trained and owned by Zach Vickerson, it was Sheriff N’s third win in a row, and seventh of the season with $21,180 earned.  He paid $19.40 to win.

Forrest Blu finished third.

In the second $7,500 Portland split, Always At My Place showed that the front end was holding up on the sunny afternoon program, scoring by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:56.3.

Driven by Bruce Ranger for owner-trainer Scott Vickerson, the 14-year-old son of Always A Virgin grabbed his fourth win of the season and 71^st of his lengthy career which puts his lifetime bankroll at $1,135,535.  He paid $9.80 to win.

Long Weekend A (4-1, McGwire Sowers) finished second; Deal With It Roman (31-1, Dave Ingraham) was third.

Driver Walter Case Jr. enjoyed three wins on the program, and Aaron Hall grabbed a pair.  Trainer Benson Merrill harnessed a pair of winners.

For the current Spring/Summer meet, after 22 racing dates, McGwire Sowers leads all drivers at Cumberland with 38 victories, followed by Drew Campbell (29), Nick Graffam (22), Kevin Switzer Jr. (20) and a tie for fifth between Aaron Hall and Case Jr. with 19 apiece.

Autym Sowers is the leading trainer with 26 wins, followed by Benson Merrill with 22 victories.

Live video and replays can be found on the track’s website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Racing at First Tracks Cumberland continues throughout the early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is always 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.

June 21, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – ‘Double Digit’ Dave Ingraham lived up to his moniker at Cumberland Raceway on Friday afternoon (June 20) by steering Dynamical Tad to a textbook ‘Go to Whoa’ upset in the $5,000 featured trot. 

Scoring from pylon position Ingraham sent the 18-1 longshot out to the front, playing hardball against fellow leavers Rose Run Xander (3/5, Benson Merrill) and Maplewood Slugger (7-2, John Nason) which resulted in a frantic :27.3 opening panel, leaving the rest of the trotters in their wake.

Around the three-eighths marker McGwire Sowers shifted High Gear No Fear (8-1) into gear first over to get around a gapping Maplewood Slugger.  Once comfortably in command, Ingraham was able to ease the tempo down to a more manageable :57.3 half, with second choice Empereurthebest FR (3-1, Walter Case Jr.) picking up the live cover second over.

With Rose Run Xander tight to his helmet, the pacesetter and his tracker had the rest of the field gaining ground as they approached the 1:28 third stanza.  High Gear No Fear maintained his high side momentum and put a head in front of the favorite as they rounded the final turn.

Down the stretch it was clearly Dynamical Tad’s resilience that secured the victory as they crossed the wire in 2:00.1 in front by 3-1/4 lengths.  Trained and co-owned by Luke Varnum with Patricia Varnum, the 5-year-old son of Tad The Stud picked up his second win of the season and a new lifetime mark in the process.  He paid a whopping $38.60 to win.

High Gear No Fear finished second; Maplewood Slugger was third.  The $1 Exacta paid $121.20 and the $1 Trifecta came back $284.70.

Driver Aaron Hall and trainer Jamie Gerard teamed up to take the early double ($7.90) with Quan Blue Chip (1:58.4, $7.60) and Twin B High Tech (1:59.2, $5.20).  McGwire Sowers and his wife Autym also had a pair of winners: Sarah’s Lilly (1:57.3, $2.40) and Shes a Sassy Beach (1:58.3, $4.20).  They may have had a hat trick on the program, however, their star pacing mare Vel Miss Taylor was scratched from race two.

Todd Whitney cruised to another easy victory with Rise N Grind (1:56, $2.20) in the Maine Amateur Driving Club event, with the horse being claimed by trainer Ryan Berry for the $5,000 tag.

Racing continues on Saturday (June 21) with 10 races, including a total of $66,000 in purses spread out among various legs of late closing series events.

The winner of the $12,500 Rockland series final, Dinner Party (2-1, Drew Campbell) will look to celebrate once again in his $7,500 leg of the Portland Pacing Series.  The 6-year-old son of American Ideal boasts five wins and $23,665 in earnings this year.

Heavensway A (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) leads the pack in the other $7,500 division of the Portland.  Fresh off of two wins, the 8-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven has to contend with post eight.

The action kicks off at 3:15 pm on Saturday, with a Trifecta in all 10 races, and the program also features a plethora of exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race and brings a $498.78 carryover.  The special wagers continue with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and conclude with a High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

Live video and replays can be found on the track’s website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Racing at First Tracks Cumberland continues throughout the early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is always 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.

June 20, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Late closing series purses adding up to $66,000 highlight this weekend’s harness racing at Maine’s Cumberland Raceway, with the action starting Friday afternoon (June 20) with ten races and continuing through Saturday (June 21) with a full card of lofty purses.

Friday’s $5,000 featured trot pits the outside-assigned Empereurthebest FR (3-1, Walter Case Jr.) against two inside contenders in Rose Run Xander (5-2, Benson Merrill) and Maplewood Slugger (3-1, John Nason). 

Jim Dunn’s Empereurthebest FR won his last two starts in Maine and retains the services of ‘Casey,’ who drove Rose Run Xander to victory last week for trainer Benson Merrill.  The French-bred 11-year-old veteran has four wins in eight seasonal starts with $347,354 earned lifetime.

In the ‘best bet’ category one would have to look very hard to find fault in Vel Miss Taylor (9-5, McGwire Sowers) who enters Friday’s $4,800 fillies and mares pace boasting a five race win streak.  The 5-year-old black daughter of Ponder has 10 wins in 14 seasonal outings and has been freshened up with a 3-week layoff.  Her only outwardly noticeable concern is post seven.

The second choice is Twin B High Tech (5-2, Aaron Hall), who is moving up in class but sports an impressive seven times first or second in nine starts this year.  The 5-year-old daughter of Lazarus N has the advantage of post two.

Racing continues on Saturday (June 21) with 10 races, including a full card of multiple legs of the various late closing series. 

The winner of the $12,500 Rockland series final, Dinner Party (2-1, Drew Campbell) will look to celebrate once again in his $7,500 leg of the Portland Pacing Series.  The 6-year-old son of American Ideal boasts five wins and $23,665 in earnings this year.

Heavensway A (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) leads the pack in the other $7,500 division of the Portland.  Fresh off of two wins, the 8-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven has to contend with post eight.

The action kicks off at 3:15 pm on both Friday and Saturday, with a Trifecta in all 10 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.

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.