May 12, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – While driver Kevin Switzer Jr. may have had the hot hands, winning three races on the Friday (May 12) program at Cumberland, all eyes were on Bruce Ranger after the seventh race as over forty of his fellow drivers, trainers, family, friends and local horse people surrounded the hometown hero in recognition of his recent 10,000 win milestone.

The Maine faithful were all too happy to congratulate the affable reinsman, who became just the nineteenth driver of all time to eclipse a five figure win total.  Mike Cianchette of First Tracks Cumberland and Mike Cushing of the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association were just two of the throngs of well-wishers in an overflowing winner’s circle presentation.

Ranger is member of both the New England and the Florida USHWA Halls of Fame, and cites Cumberland as his ‘home track’ having trained his first miles there as a youngster while growing up on his family’s nearby Norton Farm. 

Because of Ranger’s lifetime dedication to harness racing and his considerable accomplishments in the sport, First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association are pleased to announce that May 26 & 27 will be known as ‘Bruce Ranger Weekend’ at the historic southern Maine oval.  Giveaways, a special color program insert, interviews and autograph sessions featuring Bruce Ranger will highlight the holiday weekend’s festivities. 

Switzer Jr. got his hat trick aboard Easteriffic (2:00.1, $8.80); Mister Muscle (2:00, $6.40) and Paternity Suit A (1:56.1, $3.60) who is co-owned by Plainridge publicist Tim Bojarski. 

Friday’s $6,500 co-features were captured by Lydia’s Liberty (1:54.4, $9.40, Dan Deslandes) which was just 2/5 off the track record for pacing mares, and Osprey Delta (2:01.2, $5.80, Mike Stevenson) taking the top trot.

Andrew Harrington picked up two wins on the program, both of which are trained by his wife Sara Harrington.  Nick Graffam won the finale putting his lifetime dash win total at 996.

Racing continues with Saturday’s (May 13) program, which carries ten races and includes the $6,500 winners over pace.  The wagering menu always offers a 50 cent trifecta in every race and kicks off with a 50 cent pick 5.   In addition, there is a pair of 20 cent superfectas (races 4 and 6), a 50 cent pick 4 (starts race 7) and the final race delivers our 20 cent pentafecta (super high five) with a low 16% takeout.  Post time is 3:15 pm.   

Looking ahead, the Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course will be available on Saturday (May 20), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

In addition to next week’s regularly scheduled programming on Friday and Saturday (May 19 & 20), live harness racing continues at Cumberland next weekend with a special card on Sunday (May 21).  First post remains 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

–30–

May 11, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Several weeks ago Bruce Ranger was asked when he may reach his historic 10,000 harness racing wins plateau.  Like a wise soothsayer he replied, “It will probably happen at Plainridge.”  While sitting at 9,997 and with a full dance card on Tuesday (May 9) at the Bay State oval, Ranger went to work.  Sure enough, the Maine-native reinsman took matters into his own hands, literally, and won the second, fourth and sixth races at Plainridge to become just the nineteenth driver in the storied history of the sport to reach a five figure dash win total.

“You can’t really plan when it will happen,” Ranger stated after the fact.  “In all honesty you just have to take it a race at a time.”

The popular 63-year-old pilot recognizes that it all comes down to good mounts.

“I got into a good rhythm with some good horses and things just seemed to go my way,” Ranger recalled about his day in the spotlight.  “We can’t plan these things. Sometimes you get a cold spell or get pushing too hard, and it doesn’t work out.  That day I was just on a roll.”

On a roll indeed, following his milestone in the sixth race, Ranger came right back to win number 10,001 in the seventh.  And such is the life of much sought-after catch driver.  A member of both the New England and the Florida USHWA Halls of Fame, Ranger shows no signs of slowing down as he has eight drives on Friday (May 12) at Cumberland.

Following the seventh race on Friday, Ranger will be recognized for his recent milestone by both First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association in a winner’s circle presentation, while surrounded by his fellow New England reinsmen.

In addition, First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association are pleased to announce that Friday (May 26) and Saturday (May 27) will be known as Bruce Ranger Weekend at the historic southern Maine oval.  Giveaways, a special color program insert, interviews and autograph sessions featuring Bruce Ranger will highlight the holiday weekend’s festivities.  Stay tuned for additional information.

This Friday’s (May 12) 11 race program includes three races with purses of $6,000 or higher, and includes a 50 cent trifecta in every race and kicks off with a 50 cent pick 5.   In addition, there is a pair of 20 cent superfectas (races 4 and 7), a 50 cent pick 4 (starts race 8) and the final race delivers our 20 cent pentafecta (super high five) with a low 16% takeout. 

Saturday’s (May 13) program carries ten races, and includes the featured $6,500 winners over pace, with post time for both days set at 3:15 pm.   

Speaking of milestones, Nick Graffam is just 5 victories away from reaching his 1,000 career victory plateau, and has many mounts this weekend. 

Looking ahead, the Preakness Stakes is back on Saturday (May 20), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

May 7, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The impatience of youth is not lost on Jason Bertolini, as the 26-year-old reinsman took the overland route to capture the season’s first Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) Race at Cumberland on Saturday (May 6) with Bailey’s Legacy.

As the seven horse field entered the first turn, Bertolini got away third, while veteran pacer Putnam’s Storm (age 14) set the pace from pylon position, who was driven by Bob Nadeau (85).  Getting away second and gapping that cover was Rest Assured (David Zuckerman).  The opening panel was in 29.4, and Bertolini noticed the loose lead carried by the leader.  The pair wasted little time getting into action, as Bertolini pulled Bailey’s Legacy first over at the three-eighths marker. 

While the half was in a dramatically reduced 1:01.4, the pace hastened as Nadeau felt the pressure from his younger opponent and let out a notch to reach the three-quarters in 1:30.1 (28.2) and the pair were neck-and-neck heading into the final turn.

As the stretch opened up Bertolini was able to grind past the pacesetter and win by a tight half-length in 2:01.3.  Putnam’s Storm hung on gamely to be second; Rest Assured was along for the ride to be third.

Following the MADC’s seasonal opener, Bertolini was his usual humble self, stating: “The trainer did a great job making sure he was ready to go.  I just did my job and it all worked out.  Putnams Storm raced great too, especially going 28.2 down the back side.”

Owned and bred by Bruce Inch, the 6-year-old Maine-sired son of Western Maverick is trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing.  Bailey’s Legacy paid $8.00 to win.

In other news, Walter Case Jr. picked up a natural hat trick, winning the fourth, fifth and sixth races on the Derby Day program.  The first was with Virtual Success (1:58.3, $6.00), then the co-featured $6,500 winners over pace with Adriano Hanover (1:54.4, $9.60) who is the current all-age track record holder.  Finally, Moonshinecharleigh (1:59, $7.60) gave the winner of 11,235 races lifetime his three-sweep.

Bruce Ranger took the $6,500 winners over trot with Inukchuck Chuck (1:59.4, $11.60) and is now at 9,994 lifetime victories.  The veteran pilot is just six wins away from the 10,000 win benchmark, as the ‘Ranger-10k-Watch’ continues. 

Drew Campbell won two races on the afternoon program, and Nick Graffam picked up another to put his current tally at 994.  Graffam is also six scores shy from reaching his personal plateau, the 1,000^th victory of his career.

With Drew Campbell’s deuce the reinsman ascended into first place with 14 seasonal victories at Cumberland, Ranger is second with 13, and Graffam is third with 12.  Chris Lefebvre also had a pair of victories, and continues to lead all trainers with ten wins.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 6, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Bruce Ranger added another score to his lofty win total, taking the $6,000 Fillies and Mares Winners Over Pace at Cumberland on Friday (May 5) with Go Sandy Go.

The Maine-native got every call as the pair skipped through opening fractions of 28.3 and 58.2 with little, to no pressure.  As the field passed the five-eighths marker, driver Mark Athearn was the first to apply pressure with Ry’s Red Rocket, while Pembroke Ali (Heath Campbell) sat chilly in the pocket.  Lydia’s Liberty (Kevin Switzer Jr.) found cover second over, and with the third stanza timed in 1:26.3, it was evident that the leader had stepped on the accelerator.

With Switzer Jr.’s cover stalling he was forced to send Lydia’s Liberty three deep around the final turn and took aim at Ranger and the even-money favorite, Go Sandy Go.  The wire arrived just in time as the pacesetters prevailed by a diminishing half-length in 1:56.3.

Trained by Benson Merrill for owners John Kiernan Jr., Thelma Kiernan and Lauren Merrill, the 8-year-old daughter of Roddy’s Bags Again picked up her second win of the four-week meet.  Go Sandy Go paid $4.20 to win.  Pembroke Ali hung on for third.

Ranger is now just seven wins away from the 10,000 win benchmark, as the ‘Ranger-10k-Watch’ continues. 

Not to be outdone, Nick Graffam scored a hat trick on the afternoon card winning the daily double with Woody’s Cash Crop (1:57.3, $9.20) and Sixby Hanover (1:57.3, $10.00), both of which came from the family’s Norton Farm, trained by his dad Mike Graffam.  Nick came back to win the sixth race with Bay Brute (1:57, $4.80), and ironically, is just seven scores shy from notching his 1,000^th career victory.

Drew Campbell picked up a driving double, which put him in a 12-win tie with Bruce Ranger for bragging rights at the iconic Southern Maine oval.  Nick Graffam is now in third place with eleven victories.  Trainers Mike Graffam and Benson Merrill each got a pair of wins.  Chris Lefebvre leads all conditioners with eight wins.

Both of the popular red, gold and black-clad reinsmen (Ranger and Graffam) will be busy on Saturday’s (May 6) Derby Day program, which carries ten races and includes both the co-featured $6,500 winners over pace and $6,500 winners over trot.  Post time is 3:15 pm.  In the 50 cent Pick 5 beginning with the opener, there is a $794.05 carryover, which carries a low 16% takeout.

Kentucky Derby action and the entire card from Churchill Downs is on tap with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 4, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – With horse racing taking center stage in the national spotlight this weekend, Cumberland Raceway will offer both live harness racing on Friday (May 5) and Saturday (May 6), along with coverage of two of the biggest days on the Thoroughbred Triple Crown calendar.

Fans and bettors can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Friday’s Kentucky Oaks.  Our full card of live harness racing starts at 3:15 pm with the ‘Bruce Ranger-10k-watch’ in full swing.

Ranger is just eight wins away from his historic 10,000^th dash win.  The veteran reinsman has six drives on Thursday (May 4) at Plainridge, and will come into the Cumberland weekend with an additional dozen on his dance card.  Graffam is just 10 scores shy from reaching his 1,000 career victory plateau, and also has a host of drives in the next three days. 

Friday’s (May 5) 10 race program includes the $6,000 fillies and mares winners over pace, along with several trotting events.  The wagering menu includes a 50 cent trifecta in every race and kicks off with a 50 cent pick 5.   In addition, there is a pair of 20 cent superfectas (races 4 and 6), a 50 cent pick 4 (starts race 7) and the final race delivers our 20 cent pentafecta (super high five) with a low 16% takeout. 

Saturday’s (May 6) Derby Day program also carries ten races, and includes both the co-featured $6,500 winners over pace and $6,500 winners over trot, with post time for both days slated for 3:15 pm.   

With the 149^th renewal of the Run for the Roses from Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY, almost upon us, we are reminded of our local ‘hunch bettor’ that hit big on last year’s 80-1 longshot, Rich Strike.  Once again, the highly anticipated Kentucky Derby is this Saturday (May 6), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

April 30, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Veteran reinsman Bruce Ranger moved four steps closer to the 10,000-win threshold on Saturday (April 29) at Cumberland, picking up a quartet of victories including three-in-a-row on the twelve-race program.

Ranger began the day with Southwind Marilyn, steering the 10-year-old Art Major mare to a wire-to-wire score for trainer Wayne Smith.  Owned by Courtney Pitts and Adalberto Silva, the favorite paid $4.80 to win.

The Ranger crusade continued in races nine through eleven with victories by Airspinder (1:55.4, $3.00, trainer Chris Lefebvre), Third Power (1:56.2, $4.40, Katelyn Gerow) and Pacin Perfect (2:00.2, $12.80, Richard Allaby).

The Maine-native and fan-favorite now has 9,986 lifetime wins with $43,840,289 earned over a whopping 48,988 lifetime starts.  Ranger sits nineteenth on the all-time dash win list.

Nick Graffam enjoyed a driving double on the card, including a big win with The Bird Dance N to take the $20,000 Spring Fling Late Closer Final No. 2 in 1:55.2.  Part of an ownership entry, the heavy favorite danced swiftly around the oval unchallenged to win by five lengths for owner Jose Cerventes and trainer Karl Butterfield.  Entry-mate Dragonoloy was second; Bay Brute (Aaron Hall) was third.

Graffam closed the day at 985, and now has $8,494,699 in career earnings. 

The ‘Ranger-Graffam’ watch continues Monday and Tuesday at Plainridge and then moves to Bangor on Wednesday (May 3) for the opening day of racing in Northern Maine.

The $6,000 winners over pace was captured by Adriano Hanover who was driven to a decisive front-end score by Kevin Switzer Jr in 1:56.  Owned and trained by Gerald MacKenzie Jr., the 6-year-old Western Ideal stallion found the Cumberland oval much to his liking, having emanated from the Meadowlands.

Next week, the public can watch and wager at Cumberland Raceway on Friday (May 5) and Saturday (May 6) for the full cards of stakes-laden Thoroughbred racing action from Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.  The highly anticipated Kentucky Derby is next Saturday with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

The action at Cumberland resumes Friday (May 5), as the live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

April 29, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Aaron Hall drove three winners on the Friday (April 28) program at Cumberland, but the day must have seemed a lot like a roller coaster ride from start to finish.

The 29-year-old Maine native began his hat trick by guiding his own charge Namesmuscle to a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the $5,500 conditioned trot.  Sitting last at the three-quarter pole, Hall hustled the 11-year-old Muscle Mass gelding past the pack to score by two lengths in 2:01.1. Owned by Bill Phipps, Hall also trains Namesmuscle, who paid $6.20 to win.

Next up for Hall was the $15,000 final of the Spring Fling Late Closing Series No. 1, and things could have gone either way had the driver chosen a different path.

As the gate wings folded for the sixth race both wagering favorites, PBR Street Gang (Bruce Ranger, 8-5) and Alex Having Fun (Hall, 1-2), left swiftly while leaving the rest of the field in their wake.  Ranger, with an inside post position advantage over Hall, held sway through the sharp opening panel of 27.3. 

It was at that point that Hall made the winning move.  Wisely, Hall realized that the veteran Ranger was not going to let him go, so he grabbed leather and took a seat. With the two leaders settled down, the half was a much more comfortable 58.3.  That triggered the outer flow with Seeley Man (Drew Campbell) coming first over, followed by Oceanview Echo (Kevin Switzer Jr.).  This put Hall and the favorite Alex Having Fun in a no-so-happy place: boxed-in with nowhere to go.

At the third panel Ranger let out a notch and pushed PBR Street Gang into a 1:26.3 split.  Oceanview Echo stalled on the outside, which was all the racing room that Hall needed as he tipped the 6-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven around the final turn and collared the pacesetter.  Barreling down the lane, Hall got up to score by a measured length in 1:55.3.

Owned and trained by Kimberly Vafiades, it was the second win in a row for Alex Having Fun, who paid $3.00 to win.  PBR Street Gang was second, Ira Chief was eight lengths back for third.  The race was sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham.

Following the victory, Hall stated, “I am happy to see ‘Alex’ back in the Vafiades Stable, and back on the Maine Circuit.  I am truly grateful that Kim and Steve gave me the opportunity to drive such a nice horse.”

Hall continued: “Thank you to First Tracks Cumberland for holding the Spring Fling series, which helps contribute to the positive momentum that we are seeing grow in southern Maine.”

However, the day was not over for Hall, who became unseated in race nine, but jumped right back up and onto his feet.  Relatively unscathed, Hall then won the finale with Whatchagonnadoboo, which gave the driver his afternoon hat trick.  

For trainer Eric Bickmore, the final race of the day also marked the 501^st career victory for the conditioner, who had eclipsed the 500 training win threshold earlier in race five with Little Macabee.  That win witnessed driver Drew Campbell sprint four-wide down the backside to pick up the third win in a row for the 9-year-old Chapter Seven gelding, and give Bickmore the thrilling victory benchmark.

Campbell and Wally Watson both had driving doubles on the card, and bettors pushed $189,111 through the windows.

With regard to milestones, Bruce Ranger and Nick Graffam were exactly 9,000 wins apart coming into the Friday Cumberland card.  Veteran pilot Ranger had 9,982 wins and Graffam sat at 982. Graffam won the $6,000 opener with his stable’s 2022 Maine Sire Stakes champion Wolverina as the ‘Ranger-Graffam’ watch continues.

Racing resumes Saturday (April 29) with the $20,000 Spring Fling No. 2 final.  The program carries twelve races, all but two with full fields, and includes the $6,000 winners over pace with post time slated for 3:15 pm.  

Every race has a 50 cent trifecta, and the card also carries a host of 20 cent superfectas (races 4, 7 and 9), a 50 cent pick 4 (starts race 8) and the final race delivers our 20 cent pentafecta (super high five) many with a low 16% takeout. 

Looking ahead to next week, the public can watch and wager at Cumberland Raceway on Friday (May 5) and Saturday (May 6) for the full cards of stakes-laden Thoroughbred racing action from Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.  The highly anticipated Kentucky Derby is next Saturday with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

April 27, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Spring Fling Late Closing Series finals highlight the weekend programs at Cumberland Raceway, with Bruce Ranger and Nick Graffam set to drive the favorites in the $35,000-combined events. 

On Friday (April 28) Bruce Ranger sends his own PBR Street Gang postward in the $15,000 Spring Fling No. 1 Final.  Trained by his wife Mary Beth Ranger, the 5-year-old son of JK Endofanera has been installed as the 3-2 morning line favorite.  He leaves from post three in the featured sixth race, which is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feeds Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham.

The next day, Saturday (April 29) Nick Graffam competes as part of an ownership entry with The Bird Dance N in the $20,000 Spring Fling No. 2 Final.  Along with Dragonology (Dan Deslandes), the Jose Cerventes-owned and Karl Butterfield-trained entry finished 1-2 in last week’s $7,500 elimination race. The Bird Dance N scores from post three in the featured seventh race, which is also sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds.

Both reinsmen wear the familiar gold, red and black stable colors of Norton Farm, which is one of the oldest continuously working farms in Maine.  Nick’s dad Mike Graffam owns and operates the farm in Falmouth, and he and Ranger are cousins.  As of Thursday morning (April 26) both drivers were neck-and-neck in their respective races to reach career milestones in the ‘family business.’ 

Veteran pilot Ranger is just 18 wins away from becoming the 19^th driver in the history of harness racing to collect 10,000 victories.  Graffam is just 19 scores from his 1,000^th win.  They each have a host of mounts at both Plainridge and Cumberland over the next few days.

While Ranger has 89 starts this season with a summary of 17-15-13 and $141,741 earned, his UDR is an impressive 0.333.  Graffam is not far behind with 64 starts and WPS stats of 7-9-6 ($65,020, 0.219).

Friday’s (April 28) card kicks off with the $6,000 fillies and mares winners over pace, which is also the start of our 50 cent pick five.  The program also contains a handful of trotting events peppered throughout the eleven race program.  Every race has a 50 cent trifecta, and the card also carries a host of 20 cent superfectas (races 4, 7 and 9), a 50 cent pick 4 (starts race 8) and the final race delivers our 20 cent pentafecta (super high five) with a low 16% takeout. 

Saturday’s (April 29) program carries twelve races, all but two with full fields, and includes the $6,000 winners over pace with post time for both days slated for 3:15 pm.   

Looking ahead to next week, the public can watch and wager on the 149^th renewal of the Run for the Roses from Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.  The highly anticipated Kentucky Derby is next Saturday (May 6), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

April 23, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Nick Graffam continued his quest to reach the 1,000 win plateau on Saturday (April 22) at Cumberland, winning the featured $7,500 Spring Fling Late Closer #2 elimination with The Bird Dance N in grand fashion.

Leaving from post seven as part of a common ownership entry, Graffam flew right to the top in a swift 27.2 opening panel.  Moving to the half in the nine-horse field, the other half of the heavily favored (1-9) entry Dragonology (Dan Deslandes) had moved first over and the pair paced through middle splits of 58.2 and 127.3.

Ultimately, Graffam was able to maintain his well-rated one length margin to win in 1:57.  The 8-year-old imported son of A Rocknroll Dance is owned by Jose Cerventes and trained by Karl Butterfield.  Entry-mate Dragonology finished second; Soho Leviathan A was third.

The top eight finishers in the elimination race (that enter) are eligible for the $20,000 Spring Fling #2 final next Saturday (April 28) at First Tracks Cumberland.

Three $6,000 sub-features saw victories from some new talent and some fan favorites, all taking their second win in as many starts.  Western Stepp (Drew Campbell) scored in 1:58.4 to take the fillies and mare Winners Over for driver Drew Campbell and trainer James Dunn.  The 10-year-old Maine-sired Western Maverick mare is owned by Diane Dunn and picked up her second win in a row.  She paid $13.40 to pick up her 54^th lifetime victory.

The $6,000 top trot was captured by Little Macabee with a driver change to Drew Campbell.  It was the second win in a row by the 9-year-old son of Chapter Seven, who is trained by Eric Bickmore for owner Maryann Tompkins.  He won in 1:59.4 and paid $6.80 to win the 30^th race of his career.

All the top pacers, and all of their men, couldn’t topple Lexus Witha View A again.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. to his second win in a row, the 9-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere scoffed at the assigned eight-hole and scampered off to victory in 1:58.1.  Sent off as the heavy favorite, the Aussie-import is a recent acquisition for trainer and co-owner Jamie Gerard with Strategic Racing Stable.

Drew Campbell led all drivers with three wins on the card, and is now tied with Bruce Ranger at seven victories in the fledgling season after four programs.  Kevin Switzer had two wins bringing his dash total to six, which places him in third place among Cumberland reinsmen.  Trainer Chris Lefebvre is the leading conditioner with six victories.

Looking ahead, the public can watch and wager on the 149th renewal of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday (May 6) at the Fairgrounds.  Last year, First Tracks Cumberland had a local fan hit big on a “hunch” wager placed on longshot winner Rich Strike.

Racing resumes Friday (April 28) with the $15,000 final of the Spring Fling #1.  Live Harness racing from First Tracks Cumberland continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post remains 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

April 22, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Nick Graffam didn’t let a little thing like the eight-hole and odds of 49-1 get in the way of victory.  The 32-year-old Maine-born reinsman went from last to first with Sixby Hanover in a thrilling stretch drive to score in the second race at Cumberland on Friday (April 21), resulting in a $100.60 winning ticket.

The 5-year-old Pet Rock gelding trailed the field through opening fractions of 28.1 and 59.1.  At the three-quarter pole he was still positioned dead last, but was parked and moving, back six lengths from tempo setting War Daddy (Dan Deslandes) in 1:28.1. 

As the field entered the head of the stretch Graffam had reduced the margin to 3-1/4 lengths and was gaining ground with every stride.  With a strong closing kick Sixby Hanover used a 29.3 final quarter to win by a quarter length for a 1:59 blanket finish.

Owned by the Ivory Pine Syndicate (John Morgan) and trained by Nick’s dad Mike Graffam, the horse surprised everyone but his connections to pick up the 16^th win of his career.  By the end of the day, Nick Graffam had moved two wins closer to the 1,000 win threshold, now at 978.

War Daddy finished second; Riproy (Gary Mosher) was third.

Other double digit winners on the day’s card were: race four, Shaw Town (Wally Watson, $11.60); race five, Rockin Lisa (Bruce Ranger, $26.00); race seven, Denver Seelster (Walter Case Jr., $20.00); and race 10 CBF Star Power, (Mosher, $19.60).

The Spring Fling Late Closer Series #1 went postward with two $6,000 legs which will give the top eight money earners the opportunity to compete for a $15,000 final purse next Friday (April 28).

The first division was won by PBR Street Gang (Bruce Ranger) in 1:56.2, where the veteran reinsman enjoyed a perfect garden spot drive to victory with his new acquisition.  Racing from the barn of Ranger’s wife Mary, PBR Street Gang is owned by their nom de course The Starter’s Call, LLC.  The 5-year-old son of JK Endofanera paid $6.60 to win. 

Infinite Symbol A (Kevin Switzer Jr.) cut the mile and had to settle for second; Ira Chief (Graffam) got his hopples and his form back to be third.

The second Spring Fling #1 went to heavy (1-9) favorite Alex Having Fun (Aaron Hall) in 1:56.2, who drew off by 9-1/2 lengths to capture the $6,000 elimination co-feature.  Owned and trained by Kimberly Vafiades, the 6-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven is new to the states (this year) and his connections. 

Seeley Man (Switzer Jr.) finished second; Bolt Ruler (Ranger) was third.  Both are eligible to return for the $15,000 final next week.

Bruce Ranger picked up three wins on the card and is inching closer and closer to his historic 10,000 win benchmark.  Now at 9,978, he will become just the 19^th driver in the history of harness racing to eclipse that lofty plateau.  The Maine-born 63-year-old shows no signs of slowing down and is currently 12^th on the all-time active drivers dash win list.

Wagering showed another big increase for the third day of Cumberland’s Spring meeting.  Bettors pushed $188,482 through the windows, which was up approx. $66,000 from the same date last year, despite two fewer races.

Racing continues on Saturday (April 22) which features three Winners Over $10,000 handicaps vying for $6,000 in rewards each.  In addition, an ownership entry gets the early favorite status in the nine-horse field for the lone $7,500 leg of the Spring Fling # 2 for TM 72 pacers, carded as race eight. 

Looking ahead, the public can watch and wager on the 149th renewal of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday (May 6) at the Fairgrounds.  Last year, First Tracks Cumberland had a local fan hit big on a “hunch” wager placed on longshot winner Rich Strike.

Live Harness racing from First Tracks Cumberland continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post remains 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

For additional information, go to: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/