July 11, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Three divisions of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes (MSBS) went postward on Saturday (July 10) at Cumberland, with series leader Call Me Maverick maintaining his dominance in front of a big, summer weekend crowd.

Winning his $9,918 division, Call Me Maverick got every call as driver Mike Stevenson led the successful son of Western Maverick through comfortable fractions which allowed the 3-year-old pacing gelding to scoot down the homestretch in :28.3 to win in 1:59.1 by two and one quarter lengths. 

Never beaten at his home track, the heavy favorite paid $2.60 to win, and now has three wins in four MSBS legs this season.  Owned and bred by Upland Farm, Call Me Maverick is another proud alumnus of the Gordon Corey Institute of Equine Erudition, with campuses in Pinehurst and Cumberland.

American Maverick (Kevin Switzer Jr./Marc Tardif) finished second, Brady To Gronk (Ron Cushing/Heidi Gibbs) was third.

Another favorite that won his $9,918 MSBS division was A Sweet Bidda Luck, also in 1:59.1, also from post one, also wire-to-wire.  Ron Cushing drove the son of Western Maverick for trainer Heidi Gibbs and owner Scott McKenzie, which is the gelding’s second win of the MSBS season.  Bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, A Sweet Bidda Luck paid $3.20 to win. 

Barely a whisker could separate Lord Magnetic (Matt Athearn/Gretchen Athearn), who finished second by half a length, from the dead heat for third between Hollywood Skeeter (Aaron Hall/Mike Graffam) and Whatawinwillie (Kevin Switzer Jr./Mark Tardiff).

In the third division, Paxxton locked bridles with Edelman heading to the three-quarters and proceeded to battle for the final three-eighths of a mile with the former besting his rival by half a length in 1:59.2.

Paxxton, driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, left alertly from post five and grabbed the lead into a swift :28.1 opening panel.  When the field hit the half in :59.3, Ron Cushing driving Edelman sensed the slow :31.2 second stanza and pulled the son of Western Maverick from the three hole.  Heading through the third turn those two locked eyes and never gave one another an inch until the wire where Paxxton prevailed by a short half length.  Whiskey Maverick (Aaron Hall/Michael Graffam), locked in on the pylons sat third through the final half and finished in that position.

A three-year-old son of Western Maverick, he is owned by Valerie Grondin and Rhoda Underhill and was bred by Warren and Joan Harp.  Paxton paid $4.60 to win.

The Glamour Boys return to town Tuesday (July 20) when First Tracks Cumberland welcomes the fifth leg of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes (MSBS) for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, which culminates with a $80,000a final on October 16 at Bangor.

During week seven of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) series, sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds, current point leader Joe Burke put some distance on the rest of the club drivers by winning his third MADC in a row.

During the first half of the race, Todd Whitney driving Major Plans was cutting the mile and having things pretty much his own way.  But “Big” Joe Burke had other plans as he pulled the pocket going down the backside into a 1:30.1 third panel and continued to gain ground to win in 2:01 with his own Meetmeatthedance by a length and a half.

Trained by Robert Marston, the five-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance lit up the tote board, paying $27.80 to win.  Charles “Butch” Eaton closed swiftly with Hoboken Hanover to be second, who is also second in the point standings.  Trainer/driver David Crochere finished third with Todd Whitney (third in points) and Major Plans hanging on to be fourth.

Returning, once again, to Cumberland to make the presentations to the winning amateur connections is Melanie Locke, store manager for both the local Blue Seal feed stores and presenting the ‘swag bucket’ trophies of stable supplies on behalf of the Windham and North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feed stores.

There will be just one more week for drivers to earn additional points toward the $7,500 final on Saturday, July 24, with the top seven point earners advancing to the finale.

The Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association and First Tracks Cumberland, in collaboration with Love To Race author Amber Sawyer, gave out several dozen signed copies of the children’s book to kids under 12 that were in attendance on Saturday. 

Live harness racing from Cumberland is presented each Tuesday and Saturday through July 31, post time is 2:30 pm, with two additional dates added Wed. & Thurs., Aug. 4 & 5 with 11 am posts.  For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

July 8, 2021 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association (MHHA), in collaboration with Love To Race author Amber Sawyer, will give a signed copy of the children’s book to the first twenty kids under 12 that attend the live harness racing at Cumberland on Saturday, July 10. In addition, First Tracks Cumberland has matched the 20 book sponsorship to raise the total give away to forty books.

“The MHHA is excited to attract young people to the harness races, and as a bonus, provide kids with an opportunity to meet an accomplished harness horsewoman-turned-author,” stated MHHA president Mike Cushing.

“We love this book and were pleased when offered the opportunity to help distribute copies to youngsters.”

Amber Sawyer will visit Cumberland as part of a whirlwind book signing tour that brought the author from her home state of Wisconsin to Goshen Historic Track and the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in New York, to the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey and then on to the great state of Maine.

The book recounts the story of harness racehorse, Derek Bromac N. After racing in New Zealand as a 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old, Derek was shipped to California to begin his racing career in the United States. He immediately began dominating his competition at remarkable race times. This classy bay gelding found success wherever his travels took him and was often a barn favorite. His crazy antics of always sticking his tongue out while being harnessed, and on the racetrack, made him a horse that wouldn’t easily be forgotten.

From California to New Jersey, and every racetrack in between, he was driven by some of the most elite and talented in the harness racing business. He was always known as the horse that always “gave his all.”

Follow Derek’s narration, written by his owner Amber Sawyer, and beautifully illustrated by Tami Joe DeLisle.

Sawyer’s love for horses began at an early age, and as a little girl, she would ride on her father’s lap on the jog cart as he brought the horses back from the track to the barn.

A second-generation harness racer, Sawyer’s travels have led her to race horses in Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Dakota, and Minnesota.  

The well-traveled harness horsewoman said, “I have been fortunate enough to race, jog, or train hundreds of horses from first-time starters, to a former Hambletonian contender, a $400,000 winner, and even a former track record holder.”

Besides working full time and being a single mother, Sawyer is also a freelance writer for Hoof Beats, the largest Harness Racing magazine in the country, as well as writing for the Wisconsin Horseman’s News and the Wisconsin Harness Horseman’s Association.

Live harness racing from Cumberland is presented each Tuesday and Saturday through July 31, post time is 2:30 pm, with two additional dates added Wed. & Thurs., Aug. 4 & 5 with 11 am posts.  For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – Southwind Terror continued to do what he does best: win at Cumberland. 

Tuesday (June 29) the 11-year-old son of Camluck made his sixth visit to the iconic fairgrounds winners circle, winning the $5,200 top conditioned pace of the day in 1:55.1 with regular driver Nick Graffam at the controls.  In fact, Southwind Terror has never lost a race at First Tracks Cumberland and is currently enjoying a five-race winning streak, where is has consistently been the wagering favorite.

How the horse ended up, and stayed in the barn of trainer Christopher Hitchcock is nothing short of a miracle as a search on the USTA’s Pathway indicates that Southwind Terror has had over 25 different individual owners in his lifetime.

“My brother Mike bought him for our owner Mike Pease from a trainer in Saratoga back in 2019, well before the pandemic,” explained Chris Hitchcock.

“At that time we had 30 horses in the barn, and we worked together.  Then, when everything shut down, my brother Mike moved most of the stable to Ohio.  I stayed in Maine with a few and got a full time job in the landscaping industry.”

Southwind Terror made the rounds in the Buckeye state, first racing at Scioto when they were the first track to reopen.  Then the horse got claimed.  Over the ensuing year, the horse went to Dayton, then Northfield, then Rosecroft.  Over a year later trainer Chris Hitchcock got him back.

“He’s not the easiest horse to be around.  He can be tough,” noted Hitchcock.  “But his caretaker Emma (Libby) does a great job with him.  She puts poultice on his feet the night before he races, walks him, grazes him, and feeds him carrots.  Grass—lots of grass.  When it’s not too hot he gets turned out after he races.  Emma really does a great job with him.”

So what’s the key to all the success? 

Hitchock says matter-of-a-factly, that “Every horse has their lucky streak, he’s just sharp now.  With only four horses in the barn we can give them all the attention they deserve.”

Interestingly, a horse that also seems to be getting some attention nowadays is this horse’s “brother” Southwind Amazon.  Both are 11-year-old sons of Camluck, both were bred and raised in 2010 by Southwind Farms in New Jersey, and both are on a winning streak.

Southwind Amazon is from the Artsplace mare Artoonist and is the co-leading dash winner in North America with 11 seasonal victories and just set the 1:52 all-age track record at Northville in Michigan.  Southwind Terror is from the Abercrombie dam Tattoo Hanover, which gives these two star pacers an abundance of the same blood.  In addition, they were born just two weeks apart in the same foaling barn in Pennington, NJ.

Hitchcock does not seem to be too concerned about losing him for his $8,000 optional claiming tag.  “I just wish that I had four more just like him.  You have to treat them same if you have 5 or 35—I believe in them getting good care.”

In other racing action, it only took three tries for Walter Case Jr. to return to the winners circle, something the tenth all-time leading dash winning driver has done over 11,000 times.  Tuesday (June 29) ‘Casey’ sprung Trotting For Cash from the starting gate from the outside post six and never looked back.  Case steered the 4-year-old son of Cash Hall to a 2:01.3 victory for trainer James Dunn and owner Diane Dunn.  He paid $12.80 to win. 

Following a four year absence, Case had two starts on Saturday (June 26) and came right back to win the opener on Tuesday, where he had three additional drives on the nine race card.  Drew Campbell and Nick Graffam both had driving doubles.

Live harness racing from Cumberland is presented each Tuesday and Saturday through July 31, post time is 2:30 pm, with two additional dates added Wed. & Thurs., Aug. 4 & 5 with 11 am posts.  For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Maine Harness Racing Commission has approved additional race dates for the extended pari-mutuel meeting at First Tracks Cumberland to include Wednesday, August 4 and Thursday, August 5.  Post time for these two additional cards will be 11 am.

In addition, Cumberland will not be racing on Sunday, July 25, as originally scheduled.  Hollywood at Bangor has picked up that race date.

Today’s (June 29) full card of nine pari-mutuel harness races features a $5,200 NW4000 with fan favorite Southwind Terror going for his fifth consecutive victory in race eight.  Nick Graffam will drive the 11-year-old son of Camluck who has 47 lifetime victories and $357,371 in earnings.  Southwind Terror scores from post five, is trained by Chris Hitchcock and owned by Michaeal Pease. 

Sportnest, coming off of two wins himself, looks to upset the opposition’s win streak in the aforementioned feature.  Leaving from post three, the 5-year-old son of Sportswriter won at Vernon on June 19 in 1:53.2, and  came back to Cumberland for his second win three days later.  Trained by Michael Girouard and owned by Irving Bluestein, he has Walter Case Jr. in the bike.

Live harness racing from Cumberland is presented each Tuesday and Saturday through July 31, post time is 2:30 pm.  For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

June 26, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Wagering favorite Cherry Crown Jewel tried valiantly to defend her throne in the Winners Over on Saturday (June 26) at Cumberland, but she could not overtake tempo-setting Bruizn who took home the lion’s share of the $6,500 purse. 

Blasting out from behind the gate, driver Andy Harrington sent Bruizn right to the top from post five, and the big, strappy gated 7-year-old son of Musclini never saw the back of another helmet and won by 2 ¾ lengths in 1:58.1, which was a new seasonal mark.

Trained by Kim Ireland for owners Dennis and Deborah Foss, this is the fourth time this season that Cherry Crown Jewel met Bruizn, with the former winning last week, and the latter victorious on the other three occasions.

Bruizn paid $9.00 to win.  Cherry Crown Jewel (Matt Athearn) finished second, and Little Macabee was third.

Two divisions of the popular Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) saw two different drivers add first-time seasonal wins to their resumés.

Eric Bickmore made his first drive of the year a memorable one, leaving from post one in the sixth race, he was content to sit fourth past the half, and let the front-end hustlers tussle on the lead.  With the quick pace being set by Benson Merrill driving Zampara, the three-quarters was in 1:26.2.  Valerie Grondin took her shot with Middle Aged Crazy and poked a head in front at the head of the stretch. 

Arriving to the battle just in time, and having pulled River Runs Deep second over down the backside, Bickmore popped out in mid-stretch and brushed past the fading battlers to win in 1:57.3.

Not only was this the first win of the season for the Sara Gibbs-trained 10-year-old son of Riverboat King, but winning MADC driver Eric Bickmore posted the fastest race time of the series.  Owned by Robert Gibbs, River Runs Deep paid $12.80 to win.  Rose Run Slider (Michael Girouard) got up late to be second, and Middle Aged Crazy (Grondin) held on for third.

MADC $3,800 Group B went to post as race eight with six amateur entrants.  Driver Derek Howes, making his seasonal debut to the Saturday card, utilized a first over trip to capture the event with I’ll Call You Later.

Leaving from post four, and getting away fourth, Howes tipped the 8-year-old son of Dragon Again heading to the half and continued to gain ground and wearing down the pace-setting Putnam’s Storm to win in 2:01.3.  Trained by Jamie Gerard and owned by Strategic Racing Stable, this was I’ll Call You Later’s first win of the season and second victory in the last two years.  He paid $3.80 to win and wend off the favorite.  Putnam’s Storm (Robert Nadeau) finished second, and Hoboken Hanover (Charles “Butch” Eaton) was third.

On hand, as always, was Aimee Nichols of Blue Seal Feeds to make the presentations to the winning connections on behalf of the MADC series sponsoring Blue Seal Feed stores in Windham and North Yarmouth.

The updated MADC leaderboard now carries a 15-point, three-way tie for first place between Butch Eaton, Benson Merrill & Todd Whitney.  Robert Nadeau moves up a notch into fourth place, and Joe Burke rounds out the top five.

The only driver with more than one win on the Saturday card was Matty “Ice” Athearn, who won back-to-back races three and four.  Making his return to the sulky in two races Saturday, following a three year absence was Walter Case Jr, who had two drives on the card and picked up checks in both instances. 

Live harness racing from Cumberland is presented each Tuesday and Saturday through early August, post time is 2:30 pm.  For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

June 23, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland enjoyed a great turnout for their first of many ‘Tuesday at the Track’ events, where corporate sponsors, colleagues and employees were eager to attend live harness racing, enjoy food and refreshments, and make winners circle presentations to the winning connections.  In addition, the USTA’s Wendy Ross, recently named the Social Media and Publicity Manager, was on hand to conduct interviews on the simulcast programs, as well as meet and greet the attendees.

Nearly one hundred representatives and friends and family from Gorham Savings Bank, HM Payson Financial, Optimum Construction, and Porta & Company Commercial Real Estate took part in the festivities. 

Tuesday’s (June 22) full card of ten pari-mutuel harness races featured a $10,422 Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters, which was won by Wild Oats and trainer/driver Ivan Davies.  The son of Boy Band maintained his pylon sitting post position and never relinquished control, wiring the field in a swift 2:00.1, a new track record for 3-year-old gelding trotters.  He is owned, and was bred by Michael Andrew.

Wild Oats paid $6.40 to win.  Billy B (Wallace Watson) finished second; Pembroke Regal (Heath Campbell) was third.

An early $9,967 non-betting race featuring 3YO Maine-bred trotting fillies was captured by Emmajean Jellybean, a sophomore daughter of Mister Anson.  Driver Steve Wilson left boldly from post three to control the tempo, and maintained that advantage through two circuits and held off any would-be challengers to win in 2:02.3.  A new lifetime mark for the Charlene Cushing-trained distaff, she is owned by R. DiPompo Jr & Michael Graham (also the breeders) along with Pamela Smith and Jane DePompo.

In the featured overnight race of the day, Southwind Terror has continued to wreak havoc among his class of upper echelon pacers.  Taking his fourth win in a row, the 11-year-old son of Camluck was pressed hard, coming first over into a :56 half, then parked three-wide in a 1:25.1 three-quarter’s to win the $5,200 conditioned pace in 1:55.3.  Driven by Nick Graffam and trained by Christopher Hitchcock, the 47-time winner is owned by Michael Pease. Southwind Terror paid $3.00 to win.  Skyful of Lighters (Dave Ingraham) finished second; Gold Star Spider (Heath Campbell) was third.

Driver Bruce Ranger had three victories on the card, and Nick Graffam had a driving double and conditioner Michael Girouard had a training double.

June 19, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Nick Graffam and trainer Mike Graffam teamed up to sweep both Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes for 3-year-old filly pacers on Saturday (June 19) at Cumberland.

The father and son duo started Justcallmecasey in the opener and the race could not have worked out any handier.  When wagering favorite Tally Two made a costly break behind the gate, Graffam protected his cat bird position with Justcallmecasey and was content to follow in the two hole for both circuits and pounce on the pacesetting Diamond District (Gary Mosher) in the homestretch to win in 2:00.1

Owned by Ben Bill and Will Stable, the sophomore daughter of Deuce Seelster was bred by Kristina Hall.  Breaking her maiden in the process, the filly paid $18.80 to win.  Pembroke Legend finished third.

There was nothing ‘handy’ about the second division, however, as Pembroke Ali (Drew Campbell) apparently crossed over too quickly in front of Jopasamazingrace (McGwire Sowers) setting off a chain reaction of interference breaks.  Nick Graffam driving Schoodic Lady avoided the chaos and finished second behind Pembroke Ali, but was placed first as the latter was placed sixth for interference.

Schoodic Lady is a 3-year-old daughter of Deuce Seelster, trained by Michael Graffam, and was bred and is owned by Ben Bill and Will Stable.  By default, she also broke her maiden today.

The Graffam’s have had these two fillies since they were weanlings, and caretaker Stephanie Gray noted, “They have been professional race horses from the very start.  Always very focused on their jobs.”

The $6,500 Winners Over Trot was captured by Cherry Crown Jewel, giving the mare her third win in five starts for driver Matt “Ice” Athearn and trainer Gretchen Athearn.  The 9-year-old daughter of RC Royalty wired the field in 2:00 and paid $4.60 to win.  Little Macabee (Aaron Hall) finished second, J-S For Justice (David Ingraham) was third.

Newcomer Dalton Lee made his Maine Amateur Driving Club debut a memorable experience, coming from last to first in the final half win with Baywood Shadow in 2:00.2.  Trained and owned by Christopher Dubois, the 8-year-old son of Stand Forever paid $13.40 to win.

Winning Chip (Chris Lefebvre) finished second; Bettorific (Adam Gray) was third.

Dan Lambert, Assistant Manager of the North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feeds location was on hand to make the MADC trophy presentation to the winning amateur connections. 

June 16, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The rivalry between Winners Over victor Rocksapatriot and nemesis Airspinder continued at Cumberland on Tuesday (June 15).  Currently, after four rounds of heavyweight action, the score cards are tied at ‘two all.’

The $6,000 Winners Over $10,000 lifetime is the featured overnight in the state of Maine.  The first time these two horses met in the top pace at Cumberland on May 18, Airspinder won with Rocksapatriot just getting beat by a quarter-length for second.  Airspinder took the next week off.

On June 1, these two met again, with this scribe forecasting that Airspinder was “looking for two-in-a-row.”

Perhaps camera shy, adverse to publicity, or simply bad racing luck may have prevented the former from realizing the predicted outcome, providing Rocksapatriot an opportunity to even the score and win decisively by almost three lengths.

Shipping North to Bangor on June 9, outside of the realm of this reporter, Airspinder reclaims his title, with Rocksapatriot finishing third.  Now the tally is two-to-one, for those keeping score at home.

Unintentionally, but yet once again, previous to Tuesday’s bout this prognosticator calls the trainer of Airspinder, Chris Lefebvre, and finds out that now the ownership of the horse have become somewhat ‘publicity adverse.’  This is due in no small part to prophecies made on or about June 1.  But, that didn’t stop this beat writer from advancing the cause, and predicting Airspinder ‘King of the Airspace’ on June 15.

But, Rocksapatriot and driver Dave Ingraham had other ideas.  Collectively, they were not concerned with air traffic control, rush hour congestion or any other form of transportation bottlenecking.  Ingraham pulled the six-year-old son of Rockincam first over into an evenly rated half by pacesetter Jet Aviation (Bruce Ranger).  Airspinder (Drew Campbell) picked up the live cover second over, following Rocksapatriot into a 1:28 (28.3) third-quarter.

As the field rounded the final turn Rocksapatriot stuck a head in front and started to gain some separation from his adversary Airspinder, sprinting home in :28.2 to win by 1 ½ lengths in 1:56.3.  Airspinder continued to chase valiantly, but to no avail, and despite his :28.1 last quarter, the five-year-old son of No Spin Zone had to settle for second best.  Jet Aviation finished third, with betting favorite The Bus A grabbing fourth.

Driver Dave Ingraham noted, “I was looking for Cushing [The Bus A] to give me cover, but I had to move myself.  You have to be careful driving him.  He sees things and sometimes spooks.  He wears a turn-up shadow roll, a murphy blind on the outside, and a cheek piece on the inside.  But once he gets rolling, he’s pretty sharp.”

Not unaware of the inclinations of handicappers to pick against him, Ingraham adds with a laugh, “You just keep writing about Airspinder!”

Trained by Kelly Case for owner/breeder Stephen J Farrell, Rocksapatriot paid $9.60 to win.

Race three witnessed a full-field of eight battling for the $4,800 purse in the NW4000 pace.  Southwind Terror (Nick Graffam) asserted his dominance to make it three-in-a-row at the iconic Southern Maine oval. 

Sent off as the mild 2-1 favorite, the Christopher Hitchcock-trained 11-year-old son of Camluck got away seventh.  Nonetheless regular driver Nick Graffam had the 46-lifetime winner out and rolling at the half, and was forced three-wide going down the backside to engage in a battle with pacesetter January (Matt Athearn) and Rocnrolwilneverdie (Drew Campbell).

As the field turned for home, track announcer Scott Ehrlich exclaimed, “they are coming from everywhere” and Southwind Terror took the lead and fought off any would-be spoilers to win in 1:57.1 by three-quarters of a length.  Miss U Big Mike (Bruce Ranger) jumped up to be second, and Haydenssmoothmove  (Heath Campbell) finished third.

Southwind Terror paid $6.20 to win.

Dave Ingraham, Bruce Ranger and Drew Campbell all had driving doubles on the Tuesday (June 15) card, and in each case they victories were in back-to-back races.  Trainer Elisha Lafreniere had two successive wins as well.

Seasonally, Bruce Ranger still leads all drivers with 23 victories, followed in second by Dan Deslandes (17), with Drew Campbell and Kevin Switzer Jr. tied for third with 12 trips each to the Cumberland winners circle.

Racing returns this Saturday (June 19) with the popular Maine Amateur Driving Club, sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds, and three-year-old filly pacers take center stage in the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes.

Live harness racing from Cumberland is presented each Tuesday and Saturday through early August, post time is 2:30 pm.  For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

June 15, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Today’s (June 15) ten-race card at Cumberland features a $6,000 Winners Over Pace, carded as race six.  Chris Lefevre’s Airspinder looks for his second win in a row in the top class, scoring from post six with regular pilot Drew Campbell. 

Airspinder, a five-year-old gelding by No Spin Zone has won half of his races this season, sporting an impressive seven victories in 14 seasonal starts.  That is a big improvement over last year when he had just one win in 24 tries.

“It’s all because of my blacksmith,” noted Chris Lefebvre, the horse’s trainer.  “Without him he wouldn’t even be a horse!”

Plagued with hoof trouble, owners Michelle Lefebvre and Brian Aaskov acquired the horse in early April.

Conditioner Chris Lefebvre went to work on his feet, “pretty much every day.  He has very little hoof.  We have rebuilt his front feet with fiberglass patches.”

Clearly the efforts have paid off, as the horse has not been off the board since.  But the extra attention has not been without sacrifice.

“My owner wanted me to block your calls!” Lefebvre said with laugh.  “The last time you did a story on this horse he got beat.”

But that’s horse racing and that’s what scribes must do…follow a good lead.

A horse that looks to invade Airspinder’s airspace is Jet Aviation, trained by Benson Merrill and driven by top gun Bruce Ranger, he departs from gate three.  Comfortable on the front end, the 6-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding comes off an afterburner win in 1:55.3 at Bangor.

Both aircraft are sure to meet some rush-hour traffic in the form of The Bus A who moves into this express lane route from previous pick-ups in Bangor and Plainridge.  Trainer Heidi Gibbs sends the 7-year-old Art Major stud to Cumberland in the capable hands of driver/co-owner Ron Cushing from post two.

Race three enjoys a full field of eight vying for the $4,800 purse in the NW4000 pace.  Both Southwind Terror (post six, Nick Graffam) and Rocknrolwilneverdie (post seven, Drew Campbell) are coming off of wins in similar company.  Red Dirt Boomer (post 5, Dan Delandes) drops down a notch in class to make this heat well worth a savvy punters attention.  Adding to the fray is Miss U Big Mike (assigned post eight, Bruce Ranger) who paced in 1:52.4 in his last start at Plainridge, and won his previous start at Bangor in 1:55.3 for the current connections.

Live harness racing from Cumberland is presented each Tuesday and Saturday through early August, post time is 2:30 pm.  For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

June 14, 2021 – by Chris Tully for Cumberland & Bangor

CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland and Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway at Bangor have jointly announced a ten percent purse increase for overnight races. 

The significant raise in racing rewards will take effect immediately with the Wednesday draw for Saturday’s (June 19) card at Cumberland, and with the Thursday draw for Sunday’s (June 20) racing at Bangor.

The top Winners Over class at Cumberland will now race for a purse of $6,500, with other classes enjoying an approximate 10% bump in total winnings from their previous purse levels.

Live harness racing from Cumberland is presented each Tuesday and Saturday through early August, post time is 2:30 pm.  For more information go to their website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Standardbreds continue to compete at Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway at Bangor every Wednesday (Post Time 3:00 pm) and Sunday (12:15 pm first post) through August 1, with a special July 4^th card at 6:30 pm.  For more information go to their website: hollywoodcasinobangor.com