Hall sweeps Ferris Wheel legs at Cumberland Fair

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 44^th 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.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

Campbell cops hat trick at Cumberland Fair

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 16^th 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.

Storm Bringer (Hall) finished second; Midnight Zette (Tim Hudson) was third.

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).

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.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

Harrington wins three at Cumberland Fair opener

September 22, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Harness racing at the 153^rd 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 15^th 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).

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

Cumberland Fair opens with Zipper pop up

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 153^rd 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).

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

Track records fall on Cumberland’s closing day

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tenzing Bromac finished second; Instant Replay was third.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Massive Speed looms large at Cumberland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maine Freshman fillies fly at Cumberland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trotting Tornado touches down in Cumberland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Switzer sweeps stakes at Cumberland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wowzah Clousah hung on for third.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maine’s frosh fillies frolic at Cumberland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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