November 3, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The warmth of the sun was shining down upon the horses and fans for the opening day of Cumberland’s winter festival on Wednesday (Nov. 3) where a full card of ten races enjoyed robust wagering and competitive harness racing.

The $4,500 opener and co-feature was won by Mr Blissfull and driver Aaron Hall in 1:58.4.  Scoring from post two, Hall moved the 9-year-old son of Blissful Hall right to the top and never looked back.  Trained by Aaron’s father Craig Hall and owned by Robert Ferreira, Mr Blissfull picked up his fifth victory of the season and 31^st of his career where he is quickly approaching a quarter million in lifetime earnings. 

Blue Seal Feeds sales representative Aimee Nichols cheerfully made the presentation to the winning connections.  Mr Blissfull paid 2.60 to win.  So It Goes (post 6, Athearn) finished second with Tail Hook (7, Watson) getting up for third.

The fourth race, second leg of the co-feature went to Daliocity and driver Andy Harrington.  Demonstrating that the front-end bias held strong through today’s card, Harrington sent the 7-year-old son of Dali out to the lead as soon as the wings folded, and continue to hold command of the tempo and the field.  Tripping the timer in 1:57.3, Daliocity picked up his seventh win of the season for owner and trainer Sarah Gibbs.

Daliocity paid $24.20 to win.  Sanattle Slew (post 1, Deslandes) finished second and provided for an $80.90 exacta.  Through The Fence (2, Hall) was third and coupled with the 5-1 resulted in a $492.30 trifecta.

Matt Athearn and Bruce Ranger both enjoyed driving doubles on today’s card, with total handle exceeding $70,000. 

Another popular ‘Business Day at the Track’ was sponsored by Key Bank and Landry French Construction with guests enjoying great food and refreshments on the track’s expansive apron.

Be sure to join us on Saturday, November 6 at the Trackside Pub to benefit ‘Futures for Standardbreds.’  Round Up, Donations, and Raffles during the races with giveaways throughout the event.  Visit Blue Seal Feeds and Futures for Standardbreds in the pub, which is hosted by the Trackside Pub and First Tracks Cumberland.  

Every card in the upcoming schedule boasts a $3,000 guaranteed Pick 5, which begins with the first race, and free past performances are available on the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Schedule: http://handicapping.ustrotting.com/index.cfm

Racing continues at First Tracks Cumberland for our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting featuring back-to-back cards on Tuesday & Wednesday (Nov. 9 & 10) and continues weekly through December 31, 2021.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

Click the image below to download flyer for the CUMBERLAND Late Closers

ALL Horsemen MUST complete a W9 & Purse Authorization Form

Those accounts will be on hold and no checks will be issued until completed.  

Please email completed forms and questions in regards to purse checks to: [email protected]

October 4, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – The curtain closed on the eight day First Tracks Cumberland Fair harness racing meet Sunday (Oct. 3) with a large crowd and a trifecta of prosperous late closer finals, as well as several divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC).

Walter Case Jr. gave And Up We Go a perfect steer to capture the $12,000 Casco Bay Ford Trot series final in 2:00.1. 

Trained and co-owned by Ralph D’Amelio II with William Fisher, the 5-year-old daughter of And Away We Go picked up her fourth win of the season.  Case, the winner of 11,058 races in his career, sat in the two-hole behind favorite Eternal Flame and hit pay dirt after taking command down the home stretch.  And Up We Go paid $5.40 to win.  RT’s Warrier finished third.

Electrify put on a shocking performance, winning the $10,000 Portland Regency Pacing Series Final by 8 1-2 lengths in 1:57.

Driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Eric Bickmore and owner Ellie Grady, the 11-year-old son of Western Ideal the 30^th win of his career, as well as a three-bagger for Hall, which included the late double.  Ain’t No Mo finished second; Invictus Hanover was third.

Electrify paid $4.20 to win.

Bettor Because A driven by Benson Merrill took the $8,000 Pine Ridge Acres Pacing Series Final in 1:58.1.  Trained by Karl Butterfield for owner Elite Harness Racing, the 6-year-old Bettor’s Delight mare paid $20.00 to win.

The first of two divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club saw club president Joe Burke capture his first win of the MADC Fair Circuit aboard 13-1 longshot Meetmeatthedance in 2:00.2.  The Lion’s share of the $3,600 first division purse also went to Joe Burke as he also owns the 5-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance, who is trained by Robert Marston.

Meetmeatthedance paid $28.00 to win.  Finishing second was Bettorific and driver Adam Gray, who coupled with the winner resulted in a $256.70 exacta.  Favorite See You Friday (David Sawyer) finished third.

The second $3,200 MADC division was won by Esteemed Members and Alex Richardson who was parked every step of the way to win by 3 3-4 lengths in 1:59.4.  Trained by Mark Harris for owner Gayle Harris, the 11-year-old Western Terror mare has been second in her last two MADC outings, both with different pilots.

Esteemed Members paid $7.80 to win.  Saratoga Liz (Derek Howes) finished second; Tricia Star (Ryan Hall) was third.

The Maine Amateur Driving Club fair circuit was generously sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds.

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning November 3^rd and racing through December 31, 2021.  Post time 11:00 a.m.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

October 2, 2021 – by Bill Ellis & Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Team Cushing, consisting of veteran reinsman Ron Cushing and his sister-in-law Charlene Cushing, scored a one-point victory over Team Nason/Harrington to win Maine’s Family Feud on Saturday at First Tracks Cumberland Fair on Saturday (Oct. 2).

The point system had those drivers with only one drive would have their point total multiplied times two while drivers with two drives would have the score from both drives added together.  Andy Harrington recorded wins in race two (J-S For Justice) and race six (River Rums Deep while teammate stepdad John Nason finished third in his only drive in Race 4 with Runaway Girl.  The combination adding up to 16 points and one shy of the 17 points garnered by team Cushing. 

Charlene “Sherry” Cushing, in her only drive in race 4 with Daughtry Hanover, battled a stubborn Bettor Reason N and Kelly Case, every step of the mile.  Case with Better Reason N managed to finish second after a scorching trip that saw Case, never seeing the rail.  Charlene’s partner Ron Cushing had a third-place finish in race one, the Maine Breeders Stakes event with Mach Royal and a second-place finish with Through The Fence in race 6.   

Dave Ingraham piloted the winner of the swiftest race of the day, steering Rocksapatriot to half-length victory over Alex Having Fun (Drew Campbell) in the $7,500 Free for All Pace.

Tipping three-wide down the backside, Ingraham guided the 6YO son of Rockincam to a 1:54.3 score, his seventh of the season.  Heath Campbell and Andy Harrington both picked up driving doubles, and conditioner Benson Merrill harnessed two winners.

The lone $16,332 Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake was captured by Sweet Baby G in 2:01.  The 2YO daughter of Baron Biltmore was driven by Shawn Thayer for trainer Fred Ward Jr. who also owns and bred the filly with his wife Sharon.

The final day of harness racing at the First Tracks Cumberland Fair is Sunday (Oct. 3), featuring two divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club, as well as three rich finals of the Cumberland Fair’s late closers with a top purse of $12,000.

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning November 3^rd and racing through December 31, 2021.  Post time 11:00 a.m.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

October 1, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – 17-year-old Winter Asher-Stalbaum has been tearing it up around the Maine Fair circuit this season, and added the eleventh notch to his ever-growing win column on Thursday (Sept. 30), taking the $4,500 feature pace at Cumberland Fair with Lord Willoughby A in 1:56.2.

The son of the popular Larry “The Bomber” Stalbaum, Winter, also known as the ‘Baby Bomber’ is making quite a name for himself as well.  Boldly sitting on the outside second from the start, Winter grabbed command past the half, and was game in holding off the late charge of Gold Star Spider (Heath Campbell) to ensure the victory.  The 8-year-old son of Mach Three is trained by Winter’s older sister Riley, and is owned by Shark Racing Stable.

Sent off as the wagering favorite, Lord Willoughby A paid $3.00 to win.

Drivers Aaron Hall and Dan Deslandes both had driving doubles on the Thursday card.

Looking ahead, post time is 1:30 pm for Friday with eight races on the program, including two non-wagering events at 12:30 pm hosting two Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes for 2-year-old trotters.  The action continues for the final two days of harness racing at the First Tracks Cumberland Fair through Sunday (Oct. 3).

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning November 3^rd and racing through December 31, 2021.  Post time 11:00 a.m.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

September 30, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – The big, strapping trotter Bruizn took command from the start and driver Andy Harrington let the son of Musclini high-step through all the fractions to win the $7,500 Free For All Trot at the First Tracks Cumberland Fair in 1:59.1.

Trained by Kim Ireland for owners Dennis and Deborah Foss, the 9-year-old winner of 22 lifetime starts made it two-in-a-row on the Maine Fair circuit.  Already the winner of nearly $150,000 lifetime, the good-looker was a fan favorite during the First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet where he won 4 of 6 starts in the top winners over class during a six-week stretch.

Bend In The River (Gary Mosher) finished second; favorite Joey Bats (Kevin Switzer Jr) was third.  Bruizn paid $8.60 to win.

Cumberland also hosted two divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC), with the part-time pilots entering week six of their annual Summer rotation around the Fairs.

Adrian Wisher Jr got his first win of the season, driving the Christopher Dubois-trained Drain Daddy to victory in 2:00.4.  Getting away third from post six, Wisher was eager to get some of that good Southern Maine air as he pulled first up, sat on the outside from the half, and held strong right on down to the wire.  A 13-year-old veteran by Mach Three, Drain Daddy has 41 lifetime wins to his credit, along with $412,494 simoleons to retire on.

Wilson Frost (Benson Merrill) finished second; Teal Hanover (Ryan Hall) was third.  Drain Daddy paid a whopping $46.20 on a two-dollar win ticket.

The second MADC split went to Wynnfrith with Alex Richardson aboard.  Blasting out from post five, Richardson went to the top and never looked back with the 9-year-old daughter of Ameripan Gigolo.  Trained by Karl Butterfield for owner Edward Lynskey, the pair tripped the timer in 2:00.4.

Esteemed Members (Michael Girouard) finished second; Forward Bliss (Adam Gray) was third.  Wynnfith paid $5.60 to win.

Driver Matty “Ice” Athearn won three races on the program, including the early daily double.

Post time is 1:00 pm for Thursday with nine races on the program, and then post time reverts back to 1:30 pm for the final three days of racing at the First Tracks Cumberland Fair through Sunday (Oct. 3).

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning November 3^rd and racing through December 31, 2021.  Post time 11:00 a.m.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

September 29, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Ron Cushing and trainer Heidi Gibbs swept both of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings at the First Tracks Cumberland Fair on Tuesday (Sept. 28).

In the opener Cushing made a bold, three-wide move down the backstretch with Edelman to prevail by a close head in 1:58.2 over pacesetter Hollywood Skeeter and Nick Graffam.  Trained by Heidi Gibbs for Kevin Sywyk and Ron Cusing, the son of Western Maverick now has four wins on the season.  Wagering favorite American Maverick (Andy Harrington) finished third.  Edelman paid $12.40 to win and was also bred by Ron Cushing.

Confident with his charge and his post position, Cushing came right back in race four to wire the field in 1:58 with A Sweet Bidda Luck.  Trained by Heidi Gibbs for owner Scott McKenzie, the son of Western Maverick was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe and picked up his fifth victory of the year.

Whatawinwillie (Andy Harrington) finished second; Lord Magnetic (Matt Athearn) was third.  A Sweet Bidda Luck paid $3.60 to win.

The fastest race of the day was won by Airspinder in 1:55.4 and driver Drew Campbell.  Fond of the First Tracks Cumberland surface, the son of No Spin Zone earned his tenth victory of the season, his third at the historic Southern Maine oval.  Trained by Chris Lefebvre for Michelle Lefebvre and Brian Aaskov, Airspinder paid $3.80 to win.

For top reinsman Drew Campbell, it was his fourth victory of the day.

Wednesday’s (Sept. 29) card features a $7,500 Free for All Trot as well as two divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club Series, sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds.  The current point leader going into the sixth week of competition on the Maine Fair circuit is Benson Merrill (53); in second place is Mike Girouard (38); and third is Derek Howes (18) who recently represented the club at the Delaware (OH) County Fair in the USTA’s Tim Fouts Memorial Amateur Driving Championship, finishing a close second.

Post time is 1:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, then remains at 1:30 pm for the final three days of racing at the First Tracks Cumberland Fair through Sunday (Oct. 3).

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning November 3^rd and racing through December 31, 2021.  Post time 11:00 a.m.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

September 28, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Wild Oats picked up his fourth win of the season and Emmajean Jellybean posted win number seven to take their respective $15,967 divisions of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes (MSBS) for 3-year-old trotters at the Cumberland Fair on Monday (Sept. 27).

Trainer/driver Ivan Davies sat in the two-hole with Wild Oats and got up in the final strides to overtake favorite Pembroke Regal (Gary Mosher, 4-5) to win by a head in 2:00.1.  With the victory, the son of Boy Band sits comfortably in second place in the MSBS point standings for male sophomore trotters.  Wild Oats was bred and is owned by Mike Andrew and paid $5.40 to win.

The fillies trotted into race three for $15,967, and continue to be led by Emmajean Jellybean who captured her victory on the front end to win handily in 2:02.3.  Driven by Steve Wilson for trainer Sherry Cushing and owners R. & J. DiPompo, M. Graham and P. Smith, the daughter of Mister Anson continues to lead the 3-year-old trotting fillies in points.  Continually looking to take a bite out of the ‘Jellybean’ is Pembroke Secret who finished second for trainer Valerie Grondin, and also sits second in the point standings.

Emmajean Jellybean paid $3.80 to win.

The swiftest event of the day was captured by Gracie G with driver Andy Harrington for trainer/owner Sara Gibbs.  The 6-year-old chestnut daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven scored in 1:56.4 on the engine, giving her three wins in her last four starts.  Harrington was the only driver to score more than one victory on the Monday card.

There are nine races on the Tuesday program with the first post scheduled for 1:30 pm.  The Cumberland Fair continues through next Sunday (Oct. 3).   

Tuesday is headlined by two $15,951 divisions of Maine Breeders Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts, absent however is point leader Call Me Maverick.

The first split in the opener sees Paxxton (Heath Campbell, post 5) facing off against American Maverick (Andy Harrington, post 3) for this week’s divisional battle royale.

Trained by Valerie Grondin, Paxxton is by Western Maverick and has 2 wins in his last three starts.  American Maverick is trained by Marc Tardif and has a long string of second place finishes and looks to get off the schneid.

The second $15,952 split (race four) has the Heidi Gibbs trained A Sweet Bidda Luck drawing the inside pylon position (Ron Cushing), and will try to hold off Whatawinwillie (Harrington, post 3) for trainer Marc Tardif.  This is the eleventh week of MSBS events for 3-year-old pacers, with the final leg visiting the Fryeburg Fair before the $80,000e finals at Bangor on Oct. 16.

Saturday’s (Oct. 2) card is highlighted by announcer Bill Ellis’ Maine Family Feud, which potentially pits two members of a local harness racing fraternity against one another for fun and bragging rights.  But the driving is serious business, as the licensed drivers will be drawn by lot in the race office, along with the post positions, and the special events carry an increased purse of $5,000 each. 

The scheduled drivers’ families include: Mark & Matt Athearn, Mike & Nick Graffam, Aaron & Ryan Hall, David Ingraham & Kelly Case, Bo & McGwire Sowers, Ron & Charlene Cushing, Drew & Heath Campbell, Gary & Joey Mosher, and John Nason & Andy Harrington.

Each participant will be introduced along with a meet-and-greet, and the winning drivers will toss special Maine Family Feud T-shirts to the crowd.

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning November 3^rd and racing through December 31, 2021.  Post time 11:00 a.m.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

September 27, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Trainer Valerie Grondin won both $15,710 Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes (MSBS) on opening day of the 149^th Cumberland (ME) Fair on Sunday (September 26) for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

The opener was captured by Pembroke Junebug who got up by a nose in the final strides to clip 1-5 favorite Justcallmecasey in 1:58.4.  Driven by David Ingraham, the daughter of Western Maverick is also owned and was bred by Grondin.  Pembroke Junebug paid $31.60 to win.

Grondin came right back to grab the second $15,711 MSBS split with series point leader Pembroke Ali in 1:59.1.  Driven by Heath Campbell, the daughter of Western Maverick is owned by Bill Varney, was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, and paid $3.20 to win.

Fan-favorite Southwind Terror returned to his winning ways at his favorite track.  The 11-year-old son of Camluck won the fastest race of the day, stopping the timer in 1:57.2 for driver Aaron Hall on behalf of owner/trainer Stanley Bubier Jr.  Southwind Terror went on a tear during the Spring/Summer meet at Cumberland, winning five-in-a-row during the month of June.  He paid $3.40 to win.

Aaron Hall jumped up again and won the finale, earning the 300^th victory of his career.  The 28-year-old reinsman was born in Augusta, Maine and has been driving since 2010, but has picked up the pace to over 400 drives per year since 2018.  Hall, the son of trainer/driver Ryan Hall, also eclipsed $1 million earlier this season.

Hall noted that it took some time to get where he is today, and was especially grateful to reach that milestone, “I’ve been very fortunate over the last couple of years that some great trainers have given me opportunities to drive.  I appreciate it more than I can express, especially in Maine where the driving colony is so deep.  I’m hoping to keep building on this year’s success and establish myself in a group of so many great drivers we have here.”

Winter Asher-Stalbaum, the 18-year-old son of Larry “The Bomber” Stalbaum, picked up his tenth victory of his rookie driving year.  Competing on the Maine fair circuit, many of the horses Winter has been driving are trained by Winter’s older sister Riley, which has given the “Baby Bomber” a very respectable 0.370 UDRS.

It’s no surprise that the next generation of the Asher-Stalbaum clan is successful, given the strong work ethic and early harness racing upbringing that the family employs in their everyday activities.

Monday’s (Sept. 27) card features two divisions of the MSBS for 3-year-old trotters.  The $15,972 first race has another Valerie Grondin-trained favorite, Pembroke Regal who leads all sophomore male trotters in the point standings.  The son of Pembroke Slugger is owned and was bred by Bill Varney and scores from post five for Gary Mosher (5-2) who picks up the catch drive.

Wild Oats is second in the points and gets trainer/driver Ivan Davies (3-1) from post two.  A son of Boy Band, he was bred and is owned by Mike Andrew.

The fillies trot into race three for $15,967, and they are led by Emmajean Jellybean (post 5, 5-2) who is the point leaders for the 3-year-old distaffs.  Driven by Steve Wilson for trainer Sherry Cushing, the daughter of Mister Anson has never been off the board in her last 10 starts.

Valerie Grondin sends out Pembroke Secret (Gary Mosher, 2-1, post 4) who is coming off a win in her last start, defeating the aforementioned ‘Jelly Bean.’

There are eight races on the Monday card with the first post slated for 1:30 pm.  The Cumberland Fair continues through next Sunday (Oct. 3).   Trainers are reminded to continue to check the condition sheets and utilize the USTA’s online entry system for racing at the Cumberland Fair.

Saturday’s (Oct. 2) card is highlighted by announcer Bill Ellis’ Maine Family Feud, which potentially pits two members of a local harness racing fraternity against one another for fun and bragging rights.  But the driving is serious business, as the licensed drivers will be drawn by lot in the race office, along with the post positions, and the special events carry an increased purse of $5,000 each. 

The scheduled drivers’ families include: Mark & Matt Athearn, Mike & Nick Graffam, Aaron & Ryan Hall, David Ingraham & Kelly Case, Bo & McGwire Sowers, Ron & Charlene Cushing, Drew & Heath Campbell, Gary & Joey Mosher, and John Nason & Andy Harrington.

Each participant will be introduced along with a meet-and-greet, and the winning drivers will toss special Maine Family Feud T-shirts to the crowd.

Cumberland is the next to last Maine-bred legs before the rich MSBS finals at Bangor on Saturday (Oct. 16), listed as $80,000e for the sophomores and $60,000e for the freshmen.  In addition, if entries permit there will be several $25,000e MSBS consolation races on Wednesday (Oct. 20).

First Tracks Cumberland has been tapped to manage and facilitate the Fair meet on behalf of the Cumberland Farmers Club.  Drivers and Trainers will automatically be paid their occupational percentages through the First Tracks paymaster system, just as they had been during the Spring/Summer extended pari-mutuel meeting.

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning November 3^rd and racing through December 31, 2021.  Post time 11:00 a.m.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.