September 29, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Fern Hill Flight took the feature during the Cumberland Fair finale on Sunday (Sept. 29), closing out the eight-day stretch of Maine harness racing at the iconic Downeast oval
In the $7,500 Zipper Pop Up Series final driver Kevin Switzer Jr. sent Nets Of Passion out for an early lead, which saw him work to take command into a :28.1 opening panel. That extra effort was compliments of fellow reinsmen Nick Graffam who stretched out the pacesetter and eventually tracked along in the pocket with Dark As Night. Coincidentally, both pacers were trained by Ryan Berry and both were sent out at 7-2 by the public.
Just past the :58 half Andy Harrington sent the 4/5 favorite Fern Hill Flight into the outer flow from third to the challenge the leaders. Switzer Jr. was working feverishly to keep his charge engaged as the betting choice had looked him in the eye through the 1:27 third stanza.
Down the stretch Graffam tipped Dark As Night to the outside and the three pacers battle down to the wire, with Fern Hill Flight prevailing by a half-length in 1:57.1.
Trained by Andy Harrington for owner Mel Grant, the 7-year-old son of Source Of Pride picked up his fifth win of the season, and 21st of his career. He returned $3.60.
Nets Of Passion finished second; Dark As Night was third.
Dave Ingraham and Kevin Switzer Jr. both enjoyed three wins on the afternoon program. Switzer Jr. led all drivers during the eight-day fair meet with 17 victories.
Racing returns to Cumberland for the track’s 18-day Winter Festival which begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.
September 28, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s $340,000-plus Freshmen Finals were contested on Saturday (Sept. 27) and provided fans with the most lucrative slate of harness races to be held at the Cumberland Fair this year.
Under sunny skies the grandstand was packed with fans eager to witness the next generation of Standardbred stars that are born and bred in the Pine Tree State. The action did not disappoint as the unbeaten freshmen phenom Real Horrorshow led every step of the way to capture his $85,947 Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old colt and gelding pace final in 2:00.
Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Kevin Switzer Sr. and owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., the son of Dude’s The Man never had an anxious moment as he prevailed by 4-1/2 open lengths.
Bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum, Real Horrorshow paid $2.40 to win as the heavy favorite, taking his ninth consecutive win of the season, and retaining his unblemished record and boosting his earnings to $100,377.
Mia’s Boy (Mark Athearn) finished second; Daytoremember (Heath Campbell) was third.
Another unbeaten star, Snowonthepines, entered the $85,947 pacing filly final with her eight-race win streak on the line, and did not disappoint.
Switzer Jr. sent the daughter of Dude’s The Man out to an early lead and never looked back as the rest of the tracked along obediently behind the divisional standout. However, down the stretch the pocket sitting Just Delightful (Ron Cushing) took her shot at the pacesetter, but Snowonthepines maintained a half-length advantage at the wire, tripping the timer in 2:02.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner/breeder Leighton Property, the 1/9 favorite paid $2.20 to win the ninth straight start of her illustrious season, with $100,288 earned.
Ekorus (Nick Graffam) finished third.
Switching over to the diagonally gaited set, Pembroke Lady scored a front-end victory in her $85,908 split for frosh trotting fillies.
Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger held the pocket briefly after the start as Hayden (Gary Hall) assumed the point. Down the backstretch the first time Campbell brushed to the lead to gain control the tempo with the 3/5 favorite.
Past the half Pembroke Lady made every call a winning one as the field stacked up in the outer flow in an attempt to reel in the leader and avoid early breakers. Our Last Quote (Steve Wilson) challenged first over at the third station but failed to gain any significant ground on the pacesetter.
Down the stretch the pocket sitting Hayden tipped out and had one last surge and finished within a half-length of the divisional leader Pembroke Lady in 2:06, returning $3.20.
Owned by Brenda Varney and bred by the late Bill Varney, it was the filly’s eighth win of the season, increasing her bankroll to $100,107.
Our Last Quote hung on for third.
In the $85,591 division for freshmen trotting colts and geldings, it was the heavy favorite Wilder N Idy who misbehaved behind the starting gate but managed to pull himself together and keep his mind on business through the remaining stations and rolled to a 5-3/4 length romp in 2:04.2.
Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn, the son of To The Hilt paid $2.20. Wilder N Idy is owned by Patrick Leavitt and increased his seasonal kitty to $119,584. Bred by the late Mike Andrew, he completed his Maine Sire Stakes season with eight wins in nine starts.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers on the program, scoring four times, including two sire stakes finals.
The final racing date of the Cumberland Fair meet is Sunday (Sept. 28).
After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.
September 27, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s sophomore trotters rolled through their penultimate leg of Pine Tree State-bred action on Friday (Sept 26) at the Cumberland Fair, while the track gears up for Saturday’s (Sept. 27) $340,000-plus Freshmen Finals.
In the first $17,476 division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings heavy favorite Liberty’s Wildcard was placed in the pocket by leading reinsmen Kevin Switzer Jr., allowing freshman champ Whatawonder roll on to take command by Ken Watson.
As the son of Whataworkout took the field through opening panels of :31.1 and 1:03.2 the favorite held a loose pocket until the 1:32.2 third station where Switzer let his trotter loose and brushed past the pacesetter to score by 2-1/4 lengths in 2:04.3.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, the son of Noble Venture has won his last four starts and 10 of 11 this year. He was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr. and paid $2.40 as the 1/5 favorite.
Enchanted Prince (Andy Harrington) finished third.
In the second $17,722 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies it was the divisional star Barbella that cruised to any easy victory in 2:05. Making every call a winning one, the daughter of Whataworkout had nary an anxious moment as catch driver Kevin Switzer Jr. posted a three length score.
Trained by Ken Anderson for owner Bob Kakian, it was the sixth win in a row for the accomplished distaff. She was bred by the late Mike Andrew and paid $2.80 to win.
Little Shot (Ivan Davies) finished second; Twisted Fate (Mike Cushing) was third.
Four $85,000-plus Finals of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotters and pacers will go postward on the Saturday (Sept. 27) afternoon card at 12 noon at the Cumberland Fairgrounds.
In the first $85,591 division for freshmen trotting colts and geldings, the 9-5 favorite Wilder N Idy has seven wins on the season for trainer Gretchen Athearn.
In the $85,908 split for frosh trotting fillies, the 9-5 favorite Pembroke Lady brings her seven victories to the table for trainer Valerie Grondin.
For the $85,947 pacing filly final, trainer Marc Tardif sends the undefeated Snowonthepines into the full eight-horse field as the 8-5 favorite.
Finally, the Real Horrorshow leads the full field in the $85,947 male pacers division, putting his unblemished eight-race win streak on the line for trainer Kevin Switzer Sr.
Another full card is scheduled for the final racing date of Sunday (Sept. 28).
Exotic wagers start with Cumberland’s Pick 5 in 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.
First Tracks will also host the popular Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win $500 in total cash prizes based on their picks and the official order of finish in the designated race.
After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.
September 26, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s star sophomore pacer Massive Speed captured his eleventh consecutive victory in his $17,212 division of the Maine Sire Stakes on Thursday (Sept 25) at the Cumberland Fair, maintaining his unblemished seasonal record in the penultimate leg.
Driver Aaron Hall put the son of Dude’s The Man right on the engine and splashed through all the stations with no threats near or far. The judges provided for a three second allowance due to the off-going, yet the local phenom stopped the clock in 2:01.2, establishing the swiftest race of the day.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property it was his 21st lifetime victory and brought his career earnings to $213,981. Winning by a measured length and three-quarters, he paid $2.20 as the heavy favorite. Massive Speed was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.
Dawn Two Dark (Andy Harrington) finished second; Keenan Star (Heath Campbell) was third.
In the other $17,212 division it was all This Dudes Perfect and driver Heath who cruised to a comfortable 1-1/4 length wire-to-wire score in 2:03.2.
Trained by Valerie Grondin and owners Lynn-Marie Plouffe (breeder) and Brenda Varney the son of Dude’s The Man picked up his second win in his last three starts. Returning $7.20, he heads to Fryeburg with $28,299 in his seasonal kitty.
Ridgecrest Dan (John Nason) finished second; Cheatin Fate (Andy Harrington) was third.
Driver Heath Campbell led all drivers on the nine race card, visiting the Blue Seal winners circle on five occasions, including a natural grand slam in races two through five.
Racing resumes at 12 noon at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Friday (Sept. 26) with full cards scheduled for the remaining racing dates through Sunday (Sept. 28).
Exotic wagers start with Cumberland’s Pick 5 in 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.
Always a highlight of the ‘Always in September’ Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continue at Cumberland with the 3-year-old trotters on Friday (Sept. 26).
Once again, Cumberland will host the $300,000 Est. Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on Saturday, September 27, with two freshmen pacers, Real Horrorshow and Snowonthepines, putting their unblemished records on the line in their respective showdowns.
First Tracks will also host the popular Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win $500 in total cash prizes based on their picks and the official order of finish in the designated race.
After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.
September 25, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – The two top sophomore pacing fillies displayed their divisional dominance by each taking a $17,201 split of the Maine Sire Stakes on Wednesday (Sept 24) at the Cumberland Fair.
In the opener, driver Nick Graffam was content to allow Chasing Dudes to ease into the four hole while Whisper Of Luck (Andy Harrington) blasted out for the lead and did all the heavy lifting on the front end.
The pacesetter put up fractions of :29.4 and 1:00.1 to the half while opening five lengths on the rest of the field. Down the backside, and with plenty of ground to recover, the 1/5 favorite Chasing Dudes moved off the pegs first over to challenge for the lead.
Past the 1:29.1 third station, and gaining ground with every stride, the daughter of Dude’s The Man had her work cut out for her but managed to catch Whisper Of Luck by mid-stretch. The pair battled down to the wire with Chasing Dudes prevailing by three parts of a length in 1:59.1.
Trained by Mike Graffam who co-owns with breeder Bob Marston, it was the tenth career victory and fourth straight for the earner of $172,221 lifetime. She paid $2.40 and heads to the sophomore finals at Bangor on Oct. 11 as the season’s second leading point winner in the division.
Lysiun (Ron Cushing) finished third.
Leanne Marie, who sits atop that same leaderboard, also displayed her group governance as driver Mike Cushing sent her on a pillar-to-post tour of the Cumberland facility, tripping the timer in a pedestrian 2:01.1.
Trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing who co-owns and shares breeder credit with partners Pamela Smith and Jane DiPompo, the daughter of Artistic Fella now has nine lifetime wins and grabbed her third in a row, returning $2.60.
Based upon how the filly draws, she will likely be the favorite for the upcoming final on Oct. 11.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers on the afternoon program with five wins.
‘Double-Digit’ Dave Ingraham lived up to his Gabe Prewitt-bestowed moniker by scoring with local star Airspinder in the $5,200 conditioned pace and paying a whopping $105.60. Owned and trained by David Sawyer, the 9-year-old son of No Spin Zone went from next to last to first to earn his 36th lifetime victory.
Racing resumes at 1 pm at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Thursday (Sept. 25) with full cards scheduled for the remaining racing dates through Sunday (Sept. 28).
Post time drops backs to 12:00 noon for the remaining weekend dates of Friday through Sunday (Sept. 26-28).
Exotic wagers start with Cumberland’s Pick 5 in 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.
Always a highlight of the ‘Always in September’ Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continue at Cumberland with the 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday (Sept. 25), with the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Sept. 26).
Once again, Cumberland will host the $300,000 Est. Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on Saturday, September 27, with two freshmen pacers, Real Horrorshow and Snowonthepines, putting their unblemished records on the line in their respective showdowns.
First Tracks will also host the popular Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win $500 in total cash prizes based on their picks and the official order of finish in the designated race.
After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.
September 24, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Aaron Hall got an extended ride on the Ferris Wheel on Tuesday (Sept. 23) at the Cumberland (ME) Fair, capturing both co-featured Pop Up series of the same name.
Hall started the day by winning the first half of the daily double with Yankee Sparkle (1:58.4, $2.20) for trainer Kate Gerow.
Then, in the first $6,000 Ferris Wheel Pop Up series leg Hall got away on top but 1/2 favorite Sheriff N (Shawn Thayer) brushed off the three hole and made a hard charge for the lead, ultimately taking command past the :28.1 opening panel.
Hall sat in the pocket with Fly Away BB (5-1) through the :59.2 half with Gotta Minute N (Mike Stevenson, 12-1) first over and just a length off the leader by the time the pack hit the 1:28.1 third station.
Down the lane, the pacesetting Sheriff N drifted out allowing Hall to skim the cones and get up in the final strides to score by a head in 1:57.2.
Trained by Jonathan Bresnahan for owner Amanda Ward, the 4-year-old son of Heston Blue Chip paid $12.20 to win for the seventh time this year.
Gotta Minute N finished third.
Two races later in the second $6,000 division of the Ferris Wheel, Hall took the shortest distance between two points and scored a wire-to-wire victory with Velocity Sub Z in 1:57.4.
Trained and owned by Judson Merrill, the 11-year-old son of Art’s Chip grabbed his fourth win of the year, and 44th of his lengthy career. He returned $5.00.
Dinner Party (Dave Ingraham) finished second; Aintnobettor A (Hunter Lofthus) was third.
Although he won three races on the afternoon card, Aaron Hall had to share those bragging rights with fellow reinsmen Mike Stevenson who also enjoyed a hat trick on the program.
23-year-old Kyle Athearn, a full brother to Matty ‘Ice’ Athearn, and from the Mark and Gretchen Athearn stable, got his first driving win aboard Ga Speed Matrix. Trained by Michelle Lefebvre, he won in pillar-to-post fashion in 2:01.4 and returned $6.80.
Racing resumes at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Wednesday (Sept. 24) with full cards scheduled for the remaining racing dates through Sunday (Sept. 28).
Post time is slated for 1 p.m. for the Wednesday and Thursday (Sept. 24-25) programs, and drops backs to 12:00 noon for the remaining weekend dates of Friday through Sunday (Sept. 26-28).
Exotic wagers start with Cumberland’s Pick 5 in 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.
Always a highlight of the ‘Always in September’ Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continue at Cumberland with 3-year-old filly pacers on Wednesday (Sept. 24), and then roll into the 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday (Sept. 25), with the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Sept. 26).
Once again, Cumberland will host the $300,000 Est. Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on Saturday, September 27, with two freshmen pacers, Massive Speed and Snowonthepines, putting their unblemished records on the line in their respective showdowns.
First Tracks will also host the popular Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win $500 in total cash prizes based on their picks and the official order of finish in the designated race.
After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.
September 23, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Maritime-native Heath Campbell scored a hat trick on Monday (Sept. 22) at the Cumberland (ME) Fair, further securing his position in the top tier of the talented Downeast drivers colony.
Campbell began his troika in the fifth race with the Valerie Grondin owned, trained and bred Pembroke Junebug in a $5,000 (div.) Merry Go Round Pop Up Series pacing event. Scoring from post four he moved the 7-year-old daughter of Western Maverick first over at the 1:00.2 half, and continued his trek forward while parked to the third station in 1:29.1.
Once on top Campbell and his charge opened up five lengths on the rest of the field in an instant, charging home by an equally comfortable margin in 1:59.
For Pembroke Junebug, it was her fourth win of the season, and 16th lifetime, putting her career earnings at $105,025. She returned $3.80.
Virtual Success (Aaron Hall) finished second; Kak’s Rev It Up (John Nason) was third.
Campbell came right back in the sixth race to score with Chad Tompkins’ Valyrian Steel in a 2:01.1 wire-to-wire effort. Taking the $5,000 Tilt-A-Whirl Trot, the 6-year-old son of Chapter Seven paid $2.20 as the heavy favorite.
Closing out his three-peat in the eighth, Campbell sent To My Credit to another pillar-to-post romp. Leaving from post six, the talented reinsman fed the 5-year-old son of Credit Winner plenty of racetrack and took command before the opening panel. Storming home by 2-1/4 lengths for trainer Allison MacDonald and owner T C B Racing, it was To My Credit’s third win of the season, returning $3.20 in the overnight trot.
J S Peyton (Benson Merrill) finished second; Gemstone Pillar (McGwire Sowers) was third.
Driver Wally Watson picked up a driving double on the afternoon program.
Racing resumes at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Tuesday (Sept. 23) with full cards scheduled for the remaining racing dates through Sunday (Sept. 28).
Post time is slated for 1 p.m. for the Tuesday through Thursday (Sept. 23-25) programs, and drops backs to 12:00 noon for the remaining weekend dates of Friday through Sunday (Sept. 26-28).
Exotic wagers start with Cumberland’s Pick 5 in 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.
Always a highlight of the ‘Always in September’ Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continue at Cumberland with 3-year-old filly pacers on Wednesday (Sept. 24), and then roll into the 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday (Sept. 25), with the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Sept. 26).
Once again, Cumberland will host the $300,000 Est. Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on Saturday, September 27, with two freshmen pacers, Massive Speed and Snowonthepines, putting their unblemished records on the line in their respective showdowns.
First Tracks will also host the popular Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win $500 in total cash prizes based on their picks and the official order of finish in the designated race.
After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.
September 22, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Harness racing at the 153rd annual Cumberland Fair kicked off on Sunday (Sept. 21) with local reinsmen Andy Harrington taking the first three out of four races on the introductory program
Harrington, the 35-year-old Brunswick, Maine-native wasted little time finding his way to the Blue Seal Feeds Winner’s Circle at Cumberland. In the opener he sent his own Grand Galop Semalu on a first over bid past the half to track down the leaders and score in 1:58.1.
Also the trainer and owner of the 13-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven, it was his 15th lifetime victory, returning $2.20.
Harrington came right back in the third race to score with Fern Hill Flight in 1:58.3. He trains that 7-year-old son of Source Of Pride for Melvin Grant who paid $2.80 in his fourth seasonal win.
He followed that victory up with a repeat in the fourth guiding Tobins Burke to a neck triumph over Liam’s Ace (Kevin Switzer Jr.) in 1:58.1.
Trained by David Crochere for owner Robyn Crochere, it was the second win in a row for the 6-year-old son of Tobago Cays, who returned $3.80.
Todd Whitney romped with Odds On Brexit in the Maine Amateur Driving Club event, scoring in 1:57.4 for trainer Michelle Lefebvre.
The $5,200 feature was captured by Go Dancing A who grabbed his fifth win of the year in 1:56.4. Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for owner/trainer David McLelland, the 8-year-old son of Rocknroll Dance paid $5.40.
Racing resumes at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Monday (Sept. 22) with full cards scheduled for the remaining racing dates through Sunday (Sept. 28).
Post time is slated for 1 p.m. for the Monday through Thursday (Sept. 22-25) programs, and drops backs to 12:00 noon for the remaining weekend dates of Friday through Sunday (Sept. 26-28).
Always a highlight of the ‘Always in September’ Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continue at Cumberland with 3-year-old filly pacers on Wednesday (Sept. 24), and then roll into the 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday (Sept. 25), with the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Sept. 26).
Once again, Cumberland will host the $300,000 Est. Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on Saturday, September 27, with two freshmen pacers, Massive Speed and Snowonthepines, putting their unblemished records on the line in their respective showdowns.
After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.
September 20, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – The Down East faithful will transition from Farmington to the 153rd annual Cumberland Fair on Sunday (Sept. 21) with eight harness races programmed at the iconic Southern Maine oval.
Many of Maine’s rural fairs are known for their tractor pulls and draft horse demonstrations, however the Cumberland fair was first held in 1868 with harness racing as the “Maine” attraction. It remains one of the biggest annual agricultural events in the southern part of the Pine Tree state.
The Standardbred horse racing at the Cumberland Fairgrounds will start at 2:00 pm on opening day, Sunday (Sept. 21) with full cards scheduled for eight racing dates through Sunday (Sept. 28).
Post time is slated for 1 p.m. for the Monday through Thursday (Sept. 22-25) programs, and drops backs to 12:00 noon for the remaining weekend dates of Friday through Sunday (Sept. 26-28).
The featured races for the opening day card are the first legs of the Zipper pop up series, which include three $4,500 divisions of the conditioned pacing events with the $7,500 series final being held on Sunday (Sept. 27).
Monday’s (Sept. 28) program of ten races includes more Pop Ups with two $5,000 divisions of the Merry Go Round Pacing Series, as well as a pair of $5,000 Tilt-A-Whirl Trotting Series splits. Both series enjoy $8,000 finals on Friday (Sept. 26).
Always a highlight of the ‘Always in September’ Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continue at Cumberland with 3-year-old filly pacers on Wednesday (Sept. 24), and then roll into the 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday (Sept. 25), with the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Sept. 26).
Once again, Cumberland will host the $300,000 Est. Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on Saturday, September 27, with two freshmen pacers, Massive Speed and Snowonthepines, putting their unblemished records on the line in their respective showdowns.
After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.
For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/
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 100th 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 20th 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.
