April 20, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Spring Fling Late Closing Series is set to begin at Cumberland Raceway this weekend, featuring several legs going postward on Friday (April 21) and Saturday (April 22) at the iconic Southern Maine oval.

Friday’s (April 21) card showcases a full card of eleven races on the program.  The co-featured events of the day are the third and sixth races, both $6,000 legs of the Spring Fling # 1 for TrackMaster 65 pacers.  Two divisions split evenly at six apiece with the top eight elimination money winners that race in the leg and enter eligible for the $15,000 final next Friday (April 28).

Infinite Symbol A (Kevin Switzer Jr.) has been installed as the favorite in race three.  The 9-year-old Aussie-bred mare earned $37,459 last season, and gets some post position relief.  She is followed by Bet On Success (Drew Campbell) and PBR Street Gang (Bruce Ranger), both of whom come into this race fresh and ready.

Race six sees some new blood in Alex Having Fun (Aaron Hall) as the early favorite.  Renewed off a win in last week’s qualifier, the 6-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven emanates from north of the border for his new connections.  Oceanview Echo (Dan Deslandes), and Bolt Ruler (Bruce Ranger) round out the top three contenders.

The eighth race on Friday marks the start of the Pick 4, and carries a $3,000 guaranteed pool.

Back by popular demand, and in effect through the month of May, fans and punters that attend Friday’s races and buy a program on-track, will receive a free program for Saturday’s card.

Saturday’s (April 22) card 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. 

Dragonology (HN 1, PP 4, Deslandes) and The Bird Dance N (HN 1A, PP 7, Nick Graffam) make up the Jose Cervantes-owned, Karl Butterfield-trained coupled entry and may be looking at a big payday in the $20,000 Spring Fling #2 final on Saturday (April 29).

Second choices The Next Big Thing (HN 2, PP 1, Andy Harrington), and Bay Brute (HN 7, PP 8, Aaron Hall) will look to upset the apple cart for next week’s rich final.

Cumberland welcomes back our local heroine and 2022 Maine Sire Stakes Champion Wolverina.  Trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam (with Bill Arnold) and driven by Nick Graffam, the now-4-year-old pacing mare earned $192,886 last season winning 12 of 15 seasonal starts and crushing her opponents at nearly every venue.  The daughter of Cheyenne Hollywood leaves from post seven in the sixth race, $6,000 FM Winners Over/Handicap pace in her first test as a ‘graduate.’

The seventh race is the $6,000 Winners Over Trot and is led by Prescott (Harrington) and last week’s winner McStoned Again (Switzer Jr.).  They will be challenged by Mister Muscle (Graffam) and Broadway Giant (Ranger) for Maine’s ‘top trot’ bragging rights.

Race nine brings back the top male pacers in the Winners Over group, led by last week’s victor Lexus Witha View A (Switzer Jr.).  Havoc-wreaking hopefuls include: Grand Galop Semalu (Deslandes), Bush Man N (Gary Mosher) and Calvin B (Mark Athearn) who gets some much needed post assistance in this outing.

Saturday’s loaded program carries eleven races with full fields, and post time for both days remains at 3:15 pm.   Looking ahead, the public can watch and wager on the 149^th 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.

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

April 16, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Local reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. won three races on the Saturday (April 15) program at Cumberland, including both $6,000 features.  Known to extract speed from a horse, Switzer Jr. already owns the track record for an aged pacing horse, and was back to his old tricks setting the fastest mile of the early meet on opening weekend.

Switzer began his three-bagger by sending McStoned Again right to the top from the dreaded eight-hole in the Winners Over Handicap Trot in race five.  Parked to the quarter in 31, “Switz” settled in to take command and led the 5-year-old son of Wishing Stone through comfortable fractions of 1:03.3 and 1:34.3 before the outer flow started to threaten his grasp on the lead.

At the head of the stretch he found another gear and the wagering favorite rolled to a 30.1 final quarter to best Inukchuk Chuck (Gary Mosher) by a measured neck in 2:04.4.  Massive Lightning (Nick Graffam) finished third.

This was McStoned Again first start in Maine, having made a dozen seasonal starts at Miami Valley (OH).  Now with trainer Christopher Hitchcock, it was the trotter’s second victory of the year.  McStoned Again paid $6.20 to win and is owned by Michael Pease.

Two races later Switzer Jr. came right back to take the $6,000 Winners Over Handicap Pace with Lexus Witha View A in 1:55.4, which was the fastest mile of the fledgling season at Cumberland.  Leaving from post six, the 9-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere led every step of the way in 27.2, 57.3 and 1:26.2, never having an anxious moment.

The heavy favorite cruised home a winner by 2 lengths and paid $2.80.  Trained and co-owned by Jamie Gerard with Strategic Racing Stable, it was the second triumph of the season for Lexus Witha View A, who is now a few thousand dollars shy of $300,000 in lifetime earnings.

The co-feature provided a ‘Down Under’ Triple with The Bird Dance N (Nick Graffam) finishing second and Bush Man N (Gary Mosher) was third.  The 6-8-2 trifecta paid $40.10 on a $1 ticket.

Speaking of payouts, several favorites faltered on the day’s program, with longshot bettors enjoying double-digit win tickets.  Race three witnessed Bruce Ranger score with Liewhentruthwildo at 12-1 and paid $26.20 to win.  Aaron Hall scored with Little Macabee in race six, paying $22.60 to win.  Race eight went to Gary Mosher and Go Sandy Go who got back $29.00 ‘on the nose.’  In the finale, Steve Wilson steered 17-1 longshot Lucky Michael home to a $39.40 winning ticket.

Switzer Jr. also won race nine with Foxy Trottin Stick to complete the winning troika.  Perennial leading reinsman Bruce Ranger had two wins on the program, bringing the ‘Ranger-watch-10,000’ count to -30.  Conditioner Jamie Gerard enjoyed two training victories.

Wagering was strong, once again, for the second day of Cumberland’s opening weekend.  Punters pushed $128,000 through the pari-mutuel system, which was up $53,000 from last year despite two fewer races.

Horsemen are reminded to check the condition sheet for our two ‘Spring Fling’ late closing series which starts this coming weekend.  The Track Master Rating conditioned events vie for an impressive $15,000 and $20,000 final purse respectively, the following weekend, and is listed on our condition sheet on the USTA’s online entry system.

Racing resumes on Friday & Saturday, April 21 & 22. First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer 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/

April 15, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Dan Deslandes and his father, trainer Jeff Deslandes, took Cumberland by storm and won four of the nine races on Friday’s (April 14) opening day program at the iconic Southern Maine oval.

Looking back to last week, when the Deslandes Family loaded up their trailer for the initial qualifiers and shipped down east from the Bangor area, it was evident that their horses were ready to race.  With twelve Standardbreds on board, they help fill the entry box, and in turn, won the first three out of four events.  Truly a family affair, Dan’s wife Kori is also on the team and helps get their large contingent of horses ready to race in the paddock.

Fast forward to opening day and it was like déjà vu all over again.  Deslandes, Inc. had eight horses in to go, and once again, came to town ready to rumble.

Driver Dan Deslandes wasted little time finding the Blue Seal Winners Circle, sending Pay Later right to the top from post five in race one, a place he is very comfortable.  While setting the tempo, Deslandes didn’t have an anxious moment until the wire where Perfect Force (Gary Mosher) tried to steal the show but fell short by a nose.  Winning in 1:57.3, the 13-year-old son of Western Terror paid $8.20 to win.  Owned by Moo Coo Inc., he is trained by Jeff Deslandes.

The Deslandes clan also scored in race five with SG Alexia ($4.40), and finished one-two in race six with Mighty American N (Dan Deslandes) and Scouts Report (Bruce Ranger).  Scoring from pylon position, the 11-year-old son of American Ideal never had a horse in front of him and drew off to win by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:58.  Owned by Ron Dinsmore, Mighty American N paid $7.20 to win.

Ten Beaches Later won the finale for the Deslandes Clan, holding on to win by a neck over P L Pasquale (Kevin Switzer Jr.) in 1:58.1.  Also owned by Moo Coo Inc., he paid $3.00 to win.  All told, the Deslandes’ had four wins, a second, and a fourth place finish.  Seven checks from eight starters, which is a pretty good day by any calculation.

When reach for comment about his ‘Grand Slam Afternoon’ Dan Deslandes stated, “Four wins makes for a fun day at work.  But honestly, I’m just happy to be back racing and especially driving horses. As with everyone, it takes a team to get the horses ready. I’m just a small piece of the puzzle.”

The all-source wagering handle hit $119,000 for Cumberland’s opening day, which was up from $108,000 last year on the same date with 12 races programmed.

Saturday’s (April 15) card welcomes two Winners Over $10,000 handicaps vying for $6,000 in purse money, one for each gait.  The fifth race has an Ohio invader, McStoned Again (Kevin Switzer Jr., 8-5), making a significant class drop to be assigned the outside post position for the diagonally gaited set.  For the pacers in race seven, Lexus Witha View A (Kevin Switzer Jr., 1-1) also emanated from the Buckeye State and will look to grab this one having found a much softer landing Down East.

Saturday’s card features ten races with post time at 3:15 pm.

Horsemen are reminded to check the condition sheet for our two ‘Spring Fling’ late closing series, to be raced the weekend of April 21 & 22.  The Track Master Rating conditioned events vie for an impressive $15,000 and $20,000 final purse respectively, the following weekend.  A complete condition sheet for the upcoming series is available on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post remains 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

April 13, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – When Race Secretary Rob Pennington opened the box for Cumberland’s opening weekend, he was pleased to find over 150 horses had been dropped in for the double draw for Friday & Saturday (April 14 & 15).

“We had anticipated robust interest, and we were not disappointed,” noted Pennington.

Presiding Judge Charles Malia echoed those sentiments, “These guys are eager race after being off for the last three months.  Saturday’s qualifiers were strong, which is always a good indicator of preparedness.”

While Pennington, and his new assistant race secretary/charter Andrew Topham, sorted through the myriad of entries, one thing was abundantly clear, “Overall, the racehorses entered represent a large group of dedicated Maine horse people.” Certainly with over forty different conditioners represented, the Spring opener has brought the Pine Tree State faithful back to Cumberland.

Friday’s (April 14) card features nine races on the program, with every event carrying a full field of either seven or eight horses with their noses on the Wes Brown starting gate.  The co-featured events of the day are the fourth and seventh races, both $4,800 conditioned paces.

The fourth, for Fillies and Mares, pits Patajali N (Bruce Ranger, 5-2) against Electrocuted (Dan Deslandes, 2-1), who score from posts one and two respectively.  Both mares earned nearly $55,000 last season with a combined win total of 37 lifetime.

Race seven sees the boys version of the non-winners of $2,500 last 5 back to the fairgrounds, with Lovethewayyoulie (Aaron Hall, 2-1) leading the charge with $33,921 earned in 2022.  Second choice is Jo Pa’s Sweet Lout (Wally Watson, 4-1) who was 1-2-3 in 14 of 32 outings last season.

Fans and punters that attend Friday’s opener and buy a program on-track, will receive a free program for Saturday.

Saturday’s (April 15) card welcomes two Winners Over $10,000 handicaps vying for $6,000 in purse money, one for each gait.  The fifth race has an Ohio invader, McStoned Again (Kevin Switzer Jr., 8-5), making a significant class drop to be assigned the outside post position for the diagonally gaited set.  For the pacers in race seven, Lexus Witha View A (Kevin Switzer Jr., 1-1) also emanated from the Buckeye State and will look to grab this one having found a much softer landing Down East.

Saturday’s Card features ten races with post time for both days at 3:15 pm.

Horsemen are reminded to check the condition sheet for our two ‘Spring Fling’ late closing series, to be raced the weekend of April 21 & 22.  The Track Master Rating conditioned events vie for an impressive $15,000 and $20,000 final purse respectively, the following weekend.  A complete condition sheet for the upcoming series is available on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

There are 11 qualifying races slated for Saturday, April 8. First Post 11 am.

PROGRAM

March 24, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME — First Tracks Cumberland is pleased to announce that the initial qualifying races slated for Saturday (April 8) will be broadcast live on the Race Track Network (RTN).  The action starts at 11 a.m. (EDT) in a little over two weeks. 

Horsemen should declare by 9 am on Friday (April 7).  Horses that have a clean line from November 15, 2022 or after are NOT required to qualify through the first three weekends of racing (until April 29).  Beginning with the draw for the May 5^th program, the 45-day rule goes back into effect.

Race Secretary Rob Pennington stated, “I am excited to join the First Tracks team, and I am hoping to bring positive changes that benefit both horsemen and the track.  Good luck and safe trips around the oval.”

Pennington is also pleased to provide for two ‘Spring Fling’ late closing series, which is set to begin on April 21 & 22.  The Track Master Rating conditioned events race for an impressive $15,000 and $20,000 final purse respectively, the following weekend.  A complete condition sheet for the upcoming series is available on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

In addition to the live RTN broadcast, qualifiers will also be streamed via the internet live (free) on our website.  Click on live racing/video replays.  The live racing icon in the player box will be enabled. 

First Tracks Cumberland will remain on RTN channel 9747 this season.  Race fans and horsemen can also go to: www.rtn.tv

Opening day for First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet is April 14, with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) throughout the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

Cumberland will have a special guest announcer for the opening qualifiers.

For additional racing information, sign up the for First Tracks Cumberland text messaging service.  On a web browser, go to the following link: https://eztxt.s3.amazonaws.com/777323/widgets/6084704675f167.16040906.html

December 29, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine horse people raised $3,000 on behalf of Futures For Standardbreds and presented the funds to the New England-based aftercare organization on Monday’s (Dec. 27) final day of racing at First Tracks Cumberland.

It all started rather innocently for Mary Beth Ranger, the wife of leading New England reinsman Bruce Ranger.

“I noticed a lot of returnable bottles and cans being thrown into trash cans in the paddock at the track,” noted the registered nurse and horse trainer.  “I asked the management of First Tracks if we could start a bottle drive as a benefit, and they happily agreed.”

And so the ambitious task began during the spring racing season, which started simply as collecting the five cent returnable bottles and cans from the paddock.  With the yeoman’s work of Maine horseman Craig Coffin, receptacles and requests for recyclable separation spread throughout the tight-knit Maine horsemen’s community.

“The project took on a life of its own.  Before we knew it, we were overwhelmed with donated bottles and cans, in addition to what Craig collected in the paddock,” Mary Beth Ranger recalled.  “Then First Tracks agreed to match whatever money we could raise.”

Ranger continued, “People at the fairs would say, ‘Hey Mary Beth, we left a bag of cans by your horse trailer.’  It really was a community effort.  My neighbor Judd Merrill had an entire stall full, and said, ‘please take them all.’  Wally Watson, Adam Gray and Kim Ireland were also instrumental in providing additional loads of drink canisters.”

Craig Coffin, a proud member of the ‘Green Wave’ and former caretaker for the William R. Haughton Stable, was an integral part of the collection process.  Providing and cleaning the saddle pads for each race card at Cumberland, Coffin utilized his truck to haul an ever-growing stream of returnable bottles and cans, and assisted in the collection of the items in the paddock.  Coffin, also an identifier and track crew member at several of Maine’s pari-mutuel fairs, helped facilitate the summer-time assemblage.  Along with a host of other horse people who also gathered large parcels of recyclables for the group, the resultant mountain of plastic and aluminum objects was a testament to the dedication of equine enthusiasts throughout the Pine Tree State.

 “About half way through Craig [Coffin] thought we should keep the money in Maine, so we selected Futures For Standardbreds (FFS) as our beneficiary.  Word got out that we were collecting on behalf of the retired racehorses and other tracks got on board.  Paddock Judge Brenda Brown set up a receptacle at Bangor’s historic Bass Park.” 

Helping the retirees was something everyone in harness racing could personally relate with.  Cumberland’s Au Revior Retirement Showcase attracted 18 horses this year, and all the Maine horse people look forward to honoring their favorite storied racehorses.   FFS was a perfect match for their year-long efforts. 

Futures For Standardbreds was founded in 2014 with a mission of retraining and rehoming Standardbred racehorses.   The organization works with horse owners and trainers who want to ensure that their horses have the opportunity to transition into pleasure horses and enjoy a comfortable life after racing.

Ann Ewing, one of the many active volunteers for the program, noted, “Since our inception, we have rehomed close to 75 horses.  We are fortunate that Robyn Cuffey, our executive director and founder, has a lifetime of experience with Standardbreds and has authored books on the retraining process.”

Futures For Standardbreds is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization based in Southern Maine.

Ewing continued, “We are grateful to First Tracks for their generosity and willingness to match the horse people’s bottle drive funds.”

All told the local trainers, drivers, owners and caretakers had collected some $1,500 worth of 5¢ returnable bottles and cans, that otherwise would have ended up in the landfill.  That is 30,000 individual items!  This amount was matched by First Tracks Cumberland, and with the raceway’s check for $1,500, brought the total donation to $3,000.

Impressed by their efforts, and pleased with the results, First Tracks CEO Mike Cianchette was on hand to present the funds to Mary Beth Ranger on behalf of the Cumberland Racetrack.  “We always like to support the initiatives that the horsemen undertake,” Cianchette stated.  “Whether it is food donations for the local community, or supporting our retired Standardbreds, we know that their efforts are helping the people of Southern Maine, as well as organizations in need.  It is our pleasure to participate.”

Racing will resume in April 2023 at First Tracks Cumberland, which will likely reignite the bottle and can collection efforts.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

December 27, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Mike Stephenson and Matt Athearn stuck around for the season’s final day of harness racing at Cumberland, which boasted an extra 30 percent purse increase, and were both rewarded with three driving victories each on the Monday (Dec. 26) 11-race finale.  Local and remote bettors also knew value when the saw it, pushing the total all-source handle to a First Tracks Cumberland record of $197,048.

Stevenson wasted little time finding the winners circle on the ultimate program, scoring a wire-to-wire victory with his own charge Osprey Delta in the opener.  The 58-year-old New Brunswick-native who now makes Maine his home is stabled at the Cumberland Fairgrounds, and has a short commute to work each racing day.

Familiar with the track and its myriad of winter conditions, Stevenson was comfortable putting the 7-year-old daughter of Tad The Stud on the front end for the $8,450 Open 2 Trot featured opener.  Setting reasonable fractions of 29.1 and 59 to the half, Stevenson was well in command throughout both circuits.  Keeping the would-be spoilers at bay into a 1:29.4 third panel, the pair coasted home 1-1/4 length winners in 2:00.1.

Trained by Stevenson and owned by Robert Collins’ Steel Ponies LLC, it was the 15^th victory of her career and equaled her seasonal best clocking.  Osprey Delta paid $18.00 to win.  Broadway Giant (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Kyrie Deo (Mark Athearn) was third.

Stevenson also scored with Virtual Success (1:58.1, $12.20 to win) who is trained by L. Alex MacDonald, and Besidetheseaside A (1:56.4, $21.20), trained and co-owned by Ralph D’Amelio.

Matty ‘Ice’ Athearn won the second race with his own 10-year-old gelding by Dragon Again, The Wayfairing Man, paying $12.80 on a $2 wager.  Owned and driven by Matt, he is trained by his mother Gretchen Athearn, and scored an untested romp from post five in 1:57.4.  Athearn also won with Kick Up The Dirt (1:57.4, $13.00) who is trained by Mike Girouard, and R T Lange (1:58.2, $3.80), Billy DuBois trains.

Several fast-class races were captured by newlyweds Ron Cushing and the former Heidi Gibbs.  The driving-training duo sent out Rock Diamonds N in the $7,800 Open 3 Pace who went the fastest mile of the day, winning in 1:55.1 by four lengths.  They also scored in the $7,150 Open 4 Trot with Swan Fine Lady in 1:59.4.  Both horses were the favorites and owned by Ron Cushing and Kevin Sywyk, with the latter also including co-owner Lance Downs.  It was a wonderful post-wedding gift for the couple who tied the knot during mid-December in Florida with a host of friends and family along for the adventure.

Bruce Ranger led all drivers at Cumberland in 2022 with 78 wins, and completed the meet as the leading reinsman.  Walter Case Jr. finished second in the drivers’ standings with 57 victories, and Kevin Switzer Jr. was third with 55.  Trainer Chris Lefebvre was the leading conditioner with 31 trips to the Blue Seal Feeds Winners Circle.  Benson Merrill was second with 23 victories, and Lisa Watson was third with 22 training wins.

Racing will resume in April 2023 at First Tracks Cumberland.  The management team at Black Bear Racing would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff, racing officials, horse people, fans and bettors that helped make their second full year of racing another successful extended pari-mutuel meeting.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

December 23, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – A few days after Maine’s Au Revior Retirement Showcase celebrated eighteen 14-year-old Standardbreds for their longevity in harness racing, two of those honorees came back to win the final starts of their illustrious careers.  Leading reinsman Bruce Ranger was aboard both Personnel Space and Forward Bliss when the older pacers made their swan song bows in the Blue Seal Winners Circle on Thursday (Dec. 22) at Cumberland.

Personnel Space left from post position three and went right to the top to take control of opening fractions of 30 and 1:01.1.  The 2-1 public choice never had an anxious moment as Ranger cruised through a 1:30.1 third panel en route to a one length, measured score in 2:00.2.  He paid $6.00 to win.  Putnams Storm (Bob Nadeau) finished second; Dansun Carruso (Andy Harrington) was third.

Owned and trained by Mike Girouard, the 14-year-old son of I Am A Fool made it look easy for the 46^th victory of his career.  The win put the lifetime earnings for Personnel Space at $234,794.  After a lengthy career that included 349 starts, the retiree will live out his days at the owner’s farm in Spencer, Mass.

Forward Bliss, another elder statesman, used an off-the-pace tactic to get the job done and go out on a high note.  Ranger had post four and got away second, allowing Bayonet (Mike Stevenson) to set the tempo of 30.3 and 1:02.2 for the first half.

She’sallfinn (Walter Case Jr) moved first over and got to within a length of the leader at the 1:31.4 third stanza.  At the head of the stretch they were coming from everywhere as Ranger put Forward Bliss into high gear and got to the front for a 2:02 clocking.  He paid $15.60 to win.  Easteriffic (Matt Athearn) finished second; She’sallfinn was third.

Owned and trained by Adam Gray, the 14-year-old son of Blissfull Hall grabbed the 37^th win of his career, pushing his lifetime earnings to $158,344.  It was the 381^st and final time he would go behind the gate.  Although finished racing, Forward Bliss will now become the beloved riding horse for Stephanie and Adam Gray’s niece Britney, and her two young daughters in Gardiner, Maine.

The featured $4,600 cond. pace of the day was captured by Shooting Brooke in 1:58.3 for driver Wally Watson and trainer Chris Lefebvre.  The 4-year-old daughter of Straight Shooting paid $8.60 to win and is owned by Michelle Lefebvre.  Favorite Rojas Blue Chip (Stevenson) finished second; Eleanor Jean (Steve Wilson) was third.

Heading into the final day, the year’s leading reinsman, Bruce Ranger, leads all drivers with 78 wins, having picked up three wins on the card.  Matt Athearn enjoyed a hat trick on the day’s program as well, with Chris Lefebvre having a training double.

The year’s final day of racing was postponed from Saturday (Dec. 24) to Monday (Dec. 26) and concludes the Winter Festival season at Cumberland.  Post time 11 am.

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

December 20, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Aaron Hall gave Amarettigone a tactically savvy steer to capture the $12,000 Polar Express Late Closer Series Final on Monday (Dec. 19) at Cumberland.  The program was postponed from Saturday and included the Au Revior Retirement Showcase which honored eighteen 14-year-old Standardbreds as their racing days come to a close.  But, on a day when older horses were the advertised stars, Bruce Ranger showed the Maine faithful that age is just a number, winning five in-a-row and six races on the card.

Hall had Amarettigone out and moving early from post three, grabbing the front end just before the 28.3 opening panel.  Favorite Rojas Blue Chip (Mike Stevenson), leaving from post 8, had no choice but to continue on the outside and push to the front.  Clearing just before the second turn, Rojas Blue Chip led the charge where Road Untraveled (Nick Graffam) flushed the cover of Sunset Over Miami (Walter Case Jr.) heading into 1:00 half-mile marker on track rated ‘good.’

Past the 1:29.4 three-quarter stanza the outer flow continued to apply pressure to the leader Rojas Blue Chip, who had managed to gain a little separation around the final turn.  That little bit of daylight was all the wiggle room that Hall needed to slingshot Amarettigone off the turn and charge for the wire and win by 1-3/4 lengths in 2:00.4.  Rojas Blue Chip hung on for second; 14-year-old Dansan Carruso (Andy Harrington) was third.

The 8-year-old daughter of Real Desire is trained by Hunter Moody for owner Patricia Moody-D’Angelo.  She paid $9.80 to win for the 24^th time in her career.  Sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds, the swag bucket trophy was presented to the winning connections by Aimee Nichols, on behalf of the Windham and North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feeds retail locations.

The day was a special occasion for horse owners throughout the Pine Tree State, as several dozen equine enthusiasts from Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York converged upon the Cumberland Fairgrounds for the ‘Au Revior’ Retirement Showcase. 

Eighteen horses paraded in front of the grandstand under sunny skies while the announcer read a biography as fans bid farewell to each 14-year-old.  Each horse had a half page bio in the program with a special photo, and was presented with a custom designed plaque, hand-crafted and donated by the talented Barbara Dresser.  As the horse and their connections posed for photographs in the winners circle, it truly was a day to remember for all involved as each horse has their own unique history and special traits.  These equine athletes also look forward to their future as many will be living out their days with their proud owners, or were re-homed to riding stables for a second career as hardy saddle horses.  They were all beloved by their owners and trainers.

Standardbreds love to work, and it was evident as the proud steeds paraded before the grandstand with their ears up and their heads held high.  Often, when warm-ups or tractors went by, their tails would go up and their steps would lighten, having fondly recalled their days between the shafts.

Sporting impressive combined earnings of $5.7 million in purse earnings with an average of $317,000, these retiring or retired Standardbreds have a combined win total of 784, and have averaged 43 trips to their respective winners circles.  All told, these horses have started an incredible 5,552 times. 

Listed below are all the horses that were recognized, with their owners/trainers of record:

ARSENAL, p,6,1:50.3f,  $593,715 , Kelly Case

BETTORS FIRE N, p,11,1:50.1f,  $1,043,789 , Ron Cushing & Kevin Swyck, Heidi Gibbs

CJ MARSHAL, p,7,1:53.3f,  $138,501 , Scott Farley

CREIGHTON HANOVER, p,5,1:51.4f,  $413,050 , Dennis Whittemore

DANSAN CARRUSO, p,7,1:57.3,  $72,820 , Dawn Rodney, Billy DuBois

FORWARD BLISS, p,3,1:53.2z,  $156,254 , Stephanie and Adam Gray

INTREPID HALL, p,4,1:50.4f,  $359,191 , Tracy Hiles, Bobby Melanson

JAY BEES GRIN N , p,8,1:52.4f,  $264,493 , Michel Bilodeau

LIFEONTHERANGE, p,3,1:54.3f,  $166,076 , Shawn Gray, Kandace Niles

LUCKSGOTTACHANGE , p,9,1:54.2f,  $112,424 , Michel Bilodeau

McRUSTY, p,7,1:51f,  $494,200 , Kori Kinney, Dan Deslandes

MILLIONDOLLARDAD, p,3,1:54.2f,  $199,386 , Dakota Jackson

PERSONNEL SPACE , p,9,1:53.2f,  $232,574 , Michael Girouard

RAMBLING JET, p,6,1:54.1f,  $193,195 , David Crochere

RIDEOFALIFETIME, 9,1:59.1,  $91,404 , Karen Somerby, Roy Somerby

ROAD UNTRAVELED, p,5,1:49.1,  $481,002 , John & Thelma Kiernan, Benson Merrill

SHAMDEROCK, p,6,1:51.3f,  $289,298 , Mark and Phyllis Liebowitz

Heading into the final week, the year’s leading reinsman, Bruce Ranger, showed no signs of slowing down, and leads all drivers with 75 wins.  The 63-year-old native of Maine has 9,962 lifetime wins, while adding six to that total on the Monday card.  Walter Case Jr. enjoyed a hat trick on the day’s program as well, and is tied for second place in the drivers standings with 55 victories.  The only event on the 10-race card that was NOT captured by these two drivers was the Polar Express # 2 final with Aaron Hall.

Racing resumes at Cumberland’s Winter Festival harness meet on Thursday (Dec. 22).  The final weekend of racing continues on Friday (Dec. 23), and concludes for the season on Christmas Eve Day, Saturday (Dec. 24).  Post time 11 am.

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