May 25, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – On a warm and sunny Tuesday (May 25) afternoon at Cumberland, Photo King did the same thing he has done on 56 previous occasions-won a pari-mutuel trot race.  Not to be outdone, his navigator Dan Deslandes won four of the five races that he drove in.

Photo King, an elder statesman with nearly $500,000 in lifetime earnings, is a 14-year-old son of S J’s Photo from the Valley Victory mare Musical Victory.  Today marked his 57^th lifetime victory, the fastest of which he took at age five in 1:53.2 at Pocono.  Today’s romp was a wire-to-wire walk in the park from post five, tripping the timer in 2:01.1.

Also trained and co-owned by Dan Deslandes (with Danny King), the classy campaigner paid $6.20 to win.

Driver Deslandes started his day by wiring the field from post seven with Love Love Me Do in 1:58.1.  The 28-year-old native New Englander began his reign of conquest in race two, providing the 7-year-old Rocknroll Hanover mare with her third win in a row for trainer Karl Butterfield. 

The next time ‘Double D’ was behind the gate was a win with his aforementioned trotter in race five.  The following event he went right down the road again, giving Mighty American N his second win in a row in the $4,500 purse 8000 claiming pace in 1:55.2.  Trained by Karl Butterfield for owner Jose Cervantes, the 9-year-old son of American Ideal paid $3.60 to win.

The eighth race saw the team of Deslandes-Butterfield dominate the action once again.  Ima Tragedy N went coast-to-coast in 1:57, drawing off to win by four and a half lengths.  The 11-year-old son of Sands A Flyin now has two victories at the Southern Maine oval.  Ima Tragedy N paid $2.80 to win.

Although dominant in today’s action, Deslandes’ exploits were enough to move him into second place in the driver standings, but he still remains a few wins below New England’s leading driver Bruce Ranger.  Karl Butterfield won three races and now usurps Ben Merrill as the meet’s current leading conditioner.  Kevin Switzer Jr had two victories on the program.

For Saturday, May 29, a new addition to the condition sheet marks the beginning of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) series, with a purse of $4,000.  The conditions allow for pacers that are non-winners of $2,000 in their last five starts.  Extra purse money has been added to that class, and Standardbreds that are Maine-bred get an allowance of $2,500.  Aimee Nichols of Blue Seal Feeds of Windham and North Yarmouth will present the trophies.

Qualifiers will now be held following the Saturday pari-mutuel card, at approximately 5:45 pm.

Racing from Cumberland is presented LIVE each Tuesday and Saturday, through July 31, with a NEW post time of 2:30 pm.  For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 22, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Three times is a charm for trotter Caulfield, as the classy campaigner trotted the fastest mile of the season Saturday (May 22) at Cumberland, winning the $6,000 Winners Over class in 1:59.2.

Driven by Mike Stevenson for trainer Bob Marston, the nine-year-old son of Kadabra was in command the entire mile, throwing in a :29.3 last quarter to seal the deal and win his third start in a row in Maine.  Owned by George Tzikas, Caulfield now has 25 wins and $375,311 lifetime.  In fact, the ‘honest trotter’ has won every start this season that has been held in the Pine Tree State, enjoying four victories in his last five starts overall.’

Caulfield paid $3.60 to win, and took a new seasonal mark on the half-mile track at Cumberland.

Opening the card, Maine harness racing legend Donnie Richards got his first win of the meet with his own trotter Wind Current.  The five-year-old Maine-bred son of Current Cast, from the Muscles Yankee mare Flourescent, won the $4,500 NW3500 trot in 2:01.2, a new seasonal mark. 

The 88-year-old trainer is approaching 1,000 wins lifetime, with $3.8 million in earnings and Richards now enjoys a .472 UTR at the Southern Maine oval.

Wind Current was driven by Mark Athearn, bred by Tom Dillion, and paid $15.00 to win.

On the pacing side, the fastest mile of the day was clocked by Bet You, taking the $4,500 NW3500 pace in 1:55.2.  Bet down to ten cents on the dollar, the fast son of Bettor’s Delight showed the punters several miles paced in 1:52 or faster at Plainridge to warrant such attention. 

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Joe Nelson and owner Scott Dillon, the nine-year-old winner of over $575,000 appeared to find the Cumberland surface to his liking.  Bet You was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and paid $2.20 to win.

Both Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr., had driving doubles on the Saturday card.  Ben Merrill added a win to his total, keeping him one step ahead of Karl Butterfield in the trainers standings with six and five respectively.  In fact, 28 different trainers have won at least one race at First Tracks Cumberland after six race dates.

Racing from Cumberland is presented LIVE each Tuesday and Saturday, through July 31, with a NEW post time is 2:30 pm.  For more information go to our website firsttrackscumberland.com and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 22, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

NOTE: NEW POST TIME: 2:30 pm starting TUE 25 MAY

CUMBERLAND, ME – When First Tracks Cumberland opened its virtual entry box in early May, New Brunswick-native Mike Stevenson called Race Secretary Marc Reynolds and said, “This is the first time, and the last time, that I am calling you.”

Stevenson continued, “I am stabled right here on the grounds in Cumberland.  I have five RACE HORSES.  And they will RACE.  Considered them entered and use them whenever you need them.”

Stevenson wasn’t trying to be a wise guy or disrespectful.  In his own way, he was simply giving the race office free reign to enter his horses at will.  This is helpful for a race secretary that must rely on the computer and the telephone, rather than a large barn area, to fill a race card.

Reynolds was grateful for the vote of confidence, “Mike’s a nice guy and we certainly appreciate having his horses in the box every week.’’

57-year-old Stevenson makes Maine his home and is a regular driver around the New England circuit.  Perhaps settled down now, there are very few tracks that Stevenson has not made an appearance.  Having trekked all over the East Coast, and on both sides of the border, the second generation horseman has raced at all of the Standardbred hotspots.

With plenty of memories of time spent in New Jersey during the 90s, coupled with several stints back in his native New Brunswick, Stevenson finds the Maine environment much to his liking.

“I am excited about the racing at Cumberland.  I think this group has done a great job resurrecting the Maine racing schedule,” Stevenson stated.  “Our industry needs places like this.  Maine needs a place like this.  This area reminds me of Prince Edward Island.  The people around here love harness racing.  There is a race bike on every lawn and a horse in every barn.”

Stevenson spent some of his teenage years hanging around the Meadowlands in the 1980s, working with his dad, Bob Stevenson, at one time one of the leading trainers at the Big M.  He also worked with Peter Blood at Foxboro and Pompano, and eventually built up his own successful stable up in Fredericton, NB.

Entering his fifth decade of driving harness horses, Stevenson is approaching 2,000 dash wins and has earned $7.3 million on the racetrack.  Saturday he gets the call on Caulfield, leaving from post four in the $6,000 Winners Over Trot at Cumberland.

“He is just a real nice, honest old horse.  Once you get through first turn he really is a push button trotter,” Stevenson recalled.

“Honesty goes a long way around here, and so does two minutes.  He’s good on a small track, and handy too.”

A nine-year-old son of Kadabra, from the Tom Ridge mare Misty Ridge, Stevenson points out that he is well bred and that helps a horse succeed in Maine.  Looking for his third win in a row and fourth victory in five starts, Caulfield is the richest trotter in the field with $372,311 earned lifetime.  Trained by Bob Marston, Caulfield has 24 career wins with nine victories in the last 18 months, and is owned by George Tzikas.

“But most of all,” Stevenson exclaims, “Winning keeps him happy.  He’s out here jogging with his tail up, grabbing on and feeling good.”

“They know when they win…they know!”

Racing from Cumberland is presented LIVE each Tuesday and Saturday, through July 31. 

For more information go to our website firsttrackscumberland.com and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 19, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – In yesterday’s opener at Cumberland, Sarah’s Lilly had a repeat performance, taking the top fillies & mares class on back-to-back Tuesdays.  That, in and of itself, is not necessarily headline news.  But the fact the her regular driver Bruce Ranger is now leading all drivers at all three commercial New England harness tracks, could be somewhat of a unique occurrence.

“This has never happened before, even in the old Bay State Raceway era,” noted long-time Maine presiding judge Charles Malia.  “I do recall Ranger being the top reinsman at Plainridge, Rockingham and Pompano in the year 2000, but never at all three New England tracks simultaneously.”

The Maine icon’s day started with guiding the 5-year-old daughter of He’s Gorgeous to a wire-to-wire 1:56 victory in the $6,000 Winners Over FM class.  Sarah’s Lilly is trained by Benson Merrill for owner/breeder Moo Coo Inc./Irwin Kaplan, and now has 4 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third in 12 seasonal outings, and has picked up nearly $10,000 in just the last four weeks.

But then Ranger racked up wins in the 3^rd, 6^th and 9^th races on the Tuesday card, placing him comfortably on top of the Cumberland drivers colony with 13 victories and a whopping .415 UDR over the first five race cards of the fledgling meet.  Heath Campbell is second with seven trips to the winners circle, with Dan Deslandes in the third spot with six wins.

Born in Portland, Maine, Ranger is now on the top of the leader board at Bangor with 14 wins, Cumberland with 13, and Plainridge with 36 victories.  This season he has a total of 65 wins and a .365 UDR.

An energetic 61-years-young, Ranger won his first race in 1979, and the talented reinsman had racked up 357 wins by the end of the three years that followed. 

He quickly became no stranger to the winner’s circle as Ranger now has 9,430 trips to victory lane, and has earned over $39 million in purses.  He sits 23^rd on the all-time ‘drivers by wins’ list and in 2019 he was just the 24^th driver ever to reach the 9,000 win plateau.   Ranger is also the all-time leading dash winner at Pompano Park, and is a member of both the New England and Florida Halls of Fame. 

According to USTA statistics, Ranger has been behind the starting gate over 46,000 times, and has enjoyed several multi-million dollar seasons.  Perhaps his best season was 2004 when he had 569 wins and earned $2.4 million, but he has had over a dozen years with more than 300 victories.

Always modest, Ranger is quick to give the credit of his success to the horses he drives and the trainers that utilize him.  He took a short break a few years ago and worked as a starter around the Maine fair tracks.  But, the roar of the crowd and the sound of the hoof beats were too loud to ignore and he picked right up where he left off.

In the Tuesday co-feature at Cumberland, driver Drew Campbell was not afraid to give Airspinder plenty of air to find victory in the $6,000 Winners Over Pace at Cumberland on Tuesday, May 18. 

Parked the entire second circuit, the 5-year-old son of No Spin Zone was comfortable while first over into a 1:25.3 third-quarter.  Campbell had Airspinder on top by three lengths at the head of the stretch, and held off a late charge by Rocksapatriot (Dave Ingraham) to win by a quarter-length in 1:55.3h.  Pacesetter Twomacsoneshadow (Kevin Switzer, Jr) finished third.

Airspinder paced the second fastest mile of the meet and took a new seasonal mark in the process, while inching closer to amassing $100,000 lifetime earnings.  Bred, owned and trained in the Pine Tree State, Airspinder is conditioned by Chris Lefebvre for owners Michelle Lefebvre and Brian Aaskov, he paid $7.00 to win.

Racing from Cumberland is presented LIVE each Tuesday and Saturday, through July 31.  First post 4:15 pm. 

For more information go to our website firsttrackscumberland.com and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 18, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland Race Secretary Marc Reynolds is sending out an open invitation to all New England-area Amateur Drivers for a new series of harness races being carded weekly for our sport’s non-professional reinsmen and women.

“We have had extensive conversations with Joe Burke and Todd Whitney about developing a series of races to be known as the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC).  The thought of a weekly event highlighting the ever-growing amateur driving movement has been well received and we look forward to robust participation from all over New England.”

While the purse events are in the formative stages, the conditions appear to be leaning toward a straight pace NW2000L5, with no optional claiming tags.  Of course, these may be adjusted as the horse population and entries allow, but the first leg will be on the condition sheet beginning Saturday, May 29.

“Amateur racing is as popular as it’s ever been,” stated Hall of Fame harness racing publicist John Manzi, who covers the Amateur action for groups around the country.

“More and more men and women are getting in the sulky to compete, and many own their own horses too!  It’s great for the sport, and the bettor’s really like these races because they are competitive and always exciting to watch.”

For more information, or to join the club, please Email fellow amateur driver Joe Burke: [email protected].

To download a MADC application, click HERE:

In addition to the possibility of increased purses for these races, the club will also raise money for local charities and other worthwhile causes.

Racing from Cumberland is presented LIVE each Tuesday and Saturday, through July 31.  First post 4:15 pm. 

For more information go to our website firsttrackscumberland.com and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 15, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Mike Stevenson left alertly with Caulfield, set the tempo, and enjoyed a wire-to-wire victory in the $6,000 Winners Over Trot, out-stepping favorite Awol Hanover (McGwire Sowers) to capture the feature race in 2:02h at Cumberland on Saturday (May 15) afternoon.

Bet down to 7-5 under sunny skies and temps in the mid-70s, the ultra-consistent 9-year-old son of Kadabra has only missed the board in one start this season, winning three of six with two third-place finishes in 2021.  Owned by George Tzikas and trained by Bob Marston, Caulfield has amassed over $372,000 in earnings with 24 wins lifetime.  The classy campaigner has been 1-2-3 in over half of his 156 career starts.  Caufield paid $4.80 to win.

Bruce Ranger enjoyed a driving double on today’s card, which including giving Ira Chief an encore appearance in the winner’s circle.  The 12-year-old son of Chief Silverheels has enjoyed back-to-back victories at the fledgling Cumberland meet, taking the first of today’s three $4,500 divisions of NW3500L5 pacing class in 1:57.3h.

Ira Chief is owned by Dianne Whittemore and is trained by Dennis Whittemore.  He paid $4.40 to win.

Ranger’s second win came with another horse that won on opening day, Shady Secret A.  Despite a jump up in class and drawing post seven, the 8-year-old daughter of Shadyshark Hanover moved first over from the quarter and was parked the rest of the way to win in 1:57.3h, a new seasonal mark. 

Shady Secret A is owned by Grant Owens, trained by Ben Merrill and paid $17.00 to win.

All in all, five horses on today’s card captured back-to-back victories at the new Cumberland race meet.  The youngest was the Sara Gibbs-owned and trained Dreamfair Fantasy.  She, a 3-year-old Bettor’s Delight filly, was driven to victory by Heath Campbell in 2:02.4/29.4.  Dreamfair Fantasy paid $4.40 to win.

Driver Dan Deslandes also had two wins on today’s card, the swiftest of the day was Mighty American N, who won the second $4,500 div. NW3500L5 in 1:56.1h.  The 9-year-old son of American Ideal is owned by Jose Cervantes and was trained by Karl Butterfield.  Mighty American N paid $7.00 to win.

May 12, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Ron Cushing steered Rock Diamonds N to a nose victory over Twomacsoneshadow (Kevin Switzer Jr) to capture the $6,000 Winners Over feature in 1:55.2h at Cumberland on a special Wednesday afternoon card.  The winning time was the fastest of the season at the new First Tracks Cumberland meet, and gave driver / co-owner Ron Cushing his first win over the Southern Maine surface this season.

Trained by Heidi Gibbs and co-owned with Kevin Sywyk, the 8-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover has now hit the board 6 times in his last 12 starts.  Rock Diamonds N paid $2.60 to win. 

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the first training win for 19-year-old Christopher DuBois, who visited the winner’s circle with his own Panhellenic p,1:52.3f ($204,500), a 14-year-old son of No Pan Intended.  The Mechanic Falls, Maine resident had his father, sister, nieces and nephews join him for the celebration of getting his first victory in 17 tries, with a 20-1 longshot!

Driven to victory by Kevin Switzer, Jr, Panhellenic paid a whopping $42.00 to win.

The second fastest race of the day was captured by Safety Second in 1:57.1h, a pacing event for $5,000 claimers.  Driven by Dan Deslandes for trainer Karl Butterfield, the 6-year-old gelded son of Custard The Dragon is owned by Barry Franklin, Westbury, NY.

Safety Second paid $3.00 to win.

Bruce Ranger enjoyed a back-to-back driving triple on the nine-race card, duplicating his efforts yesterday, including victories both trot races.  Heath Campbell had two wins on the card.

Racing from Cumberland continues Saturday, Preakness Day, May 15, first post 4:15 pm.  For more information go to our website firsttrackscumberland.com and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 11, 2021, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

Cumberland, ME — Maine icon Bruce Ranger scored in 1:56h with Sarah’s Lilly to cap off a driving triple under sunny skies on Cumberland’s first Tuesday card.

Sarah’s Lilly and Bruce Ranger scored in 1:56 at Cumberland Tuesday. Chris Tully photo.

The $6,000 Fillies and Mares Winners Over Pace saw the 5-year-old mare by He’s Gorgeous pace to a wire-to-wire romp. The victory also gave the mare’s trainer Ben Merrill three trips to the winner’s circle, where Ben and his wife Lauren also celebrated their wedding anniversary.

Sarah’s Lilly was bred by Irwin Kaplan and is owned by Moo Coo Inc. (Ellen and Irwin Kaplan). She paid $5.20 to win.

It was opening day all over again for Webmaster Hanover who won the first race on Saturday and came back just three days later and won again, taking a new seasonal mark of 1:57.1h. The 6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere was driven by Drew Campbell for trainer Brian Lamb and owner Mona Dodd.

Bred by the sport’s leading nursery, Hanover Shoe Farms, Webmaster Hanover paid $8.60 to win.

Several teamsters enjoyed driving doubles on the nine-race card, including Heath Campbell and McGwire Sowers, the 21-year-old up-and-comer who has set up shop in Maine following a successful run at Monticello.

Racing from Cumberland continues Wednesday (May 12), first post 4:15 p.m. For more information go to our website firsttrackscumberland.com and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 8, 2021 – by Chris Tully

CUMBERLAND, Maine – Saturday’s opening day at Cumberland enjoyed a large crowd and widespread support from on-track punters, as well as simulcast outlets, for the nine-race card.

The first extended pari-mutuel meeting to open in over twenty years that was not owned by a casino enjoyed mild temperatures that brought several hundred people to the Cumberland Fairground’s apron to enjoy a full day of harness racing.

Over nine races, the swiftest of the day went to iconic driver and Maine-native Bruce Ranger who steered 12-year-old Ira Chief to victory for trainer Dennis Whittemore and owner Diane Whittemore in 1:57.2h.  Six races went faster than 2:00 and only two races were won by the betting favorites.

First Tracks Investments CEO Mike Cianchette was pleased that the Maine owners, trainers and drivers supported the inaugural event.

“I am also very grateful to the team at Black Bear Racing and the fans that turned out to enjoy the races.  None of this happens with any one person.  It’s only a success if we all work together.”

Race Secretary Marc Reynolds was equally excited about the energy in the air and enthusiasm of the horsemen.

“The turnout for the crowd was more than anyone expected.  You can feel the electricity in the air with the momentum of Maine harness racing.

Racing from Cumberland continues Tuesday and Wednesday, May 11 & 12, first post 4:15 pm.  Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 4, 2021  —  by Chris Tully

CUMBERLAND, ME – The box is open for the Saturday, May 8, opening day at First Tracks Cumberland.  Declarations close on Wed., May 5 at 9 a.m.

In addition, Cumberland Race Secretary Marc Reynolds has posted the condition sheets for a second round of qualifiers (Sat., May 8), to be held at 3 p.m.

Throughout the Spring/Summer race meet, first post for pari-mutuel harness racing will be 4:15 pm.

There will also be a double draw on Sunday, May 9 for the next two Southern Maine race dates, Tuesday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 12. 

As always, the condition sheets are available on the USTA’s website:

http://horsemen.ustrotting.com/conditions/index.cfm

Horsemen are reminded that they must complete and submit a racing application before entering or racing at Cumberland.  The form is available at the following link:

https://firsttrackscumberland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Racing-Application-FirstTracksCumberland-web.pdf