June 2, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Muscle Gene came from off the pace to capture the opening race trot on Friday (June 2) at Cumberland, with his owner Ron Cushing in the bike.  Trained by Heidi Gibbs, the 5-year-old son of Musclesprinctonian tripped the timer in a swift 2:00.1, giving the husband and wife team their first win of the season with the horse.

At the start, 19-1 longshot Commemorative (Drew Campbell) was anxious to leave and grabbed the top in just a few strides.  Wally Watson pushed his charge Mackworthy toward the front end, albeit briefly, and then slipped into the pocket.  With evenly rated opening panels of 30 and 1:00, Watson pulled Mackworthy out of the garden spot to challenge for the lead while heading to the three-quarter marker.

Past a 1:29.3 third panel Mackworthy took command and tried valiantly to gain some separation on the field around the final turn, while 1-5 heavy favorite Muscle Gene moved from his position in fourth to make his presence known.  By the head of the stretch Cushing had Muscle Gene in full flight and had reduced the leader’s margin to two lengths.

Trotting up a storm down the stretch, Muscle Gene caught Mackworthy at the shadow of the wire, much to the relief of his many backers.  It was the tenth lifetime victory for Muscle Gene, who paid $2.60 to win the $4,800 conditioned trot by a measured length.  Commemorative hung on for third.

The swiftest race of the day was captured by Tonianne, winning the $5,000 FM conditioned pace in 1:56.4.  Driven by Nick Graffam for trainer James Dunn, the 5-year-old Somebeachsomewhere mare is the property of distinguished local horse owner Linwood Higgins.  She paid $4.60 to win the 21^st start of her career.

Immediately following the fourth race, lightning strikes moved into the area and took out the electrical power to the region, resulting in a cancellation of the remainder of the program.

Saturday’s (June 3) card carries eleven races, and his headlined by the popular Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC), which is scheduled for race four.  Now in its fifth week, Jason Bertolini (driving his trusty steed Led Schneppelin) will look to redeem his sole defeat in the last edition.  The series is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine. Also on the card are two $5,500 features, a trot and pace, for some of the faster horses on the grounds.

Looking ahead to next week, Cumberland will offer live viewing and wagering on the $1,500,000 Belmont Stakes from New York City.  Saturday, June 10^th marks the 155^th renewal of the third and final jewel of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown, which is a mile and a half test of endurance and stamina.  This year also celebrates the 50^th anniversary of Secretariat’s world record and Triple Crown winning performance.  Cumberland will offer flats programs, as well as all the applicable wagering options.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

June 2, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Bruce and Mary Beth Ranger’s PBR Street Gang has been a model of consistency since arriving in their stable in early March.  If you throw out the line on Cinco de Mayo, where he made an uncharacteristic break at the three-quarter pole, he has been pretty close to perfect.  The 5-year-old son of JK Endofanera won his qualifier at Cumberland in early April.  Then, he won his first start, was second in the Spring Fling #2 final, and won his last two starts.

During Friday’s (June 2) 11 race program, PBR Street Gang leaves from post six in the fifth race $5,500 featured conditioned pace.  Of course he has the services of top reinsman Bruce Ranger, and has been installed as the 4-1 second choice by the trackman odds maker.  His primary threat is the Plainridge invader Something Bettor A (post 1, 7-5, Ron Cushing) who has faced tougher foes at the Bay State oval.   A field of seven goes postward where the betting options include a 50 cent trifecta, as well as the usual assortment of exotic wagers with low 16% takeouts sprinkled throughout the card. 

Saturday’s (June 3) program also carries eleven races, and his headlined by the popular Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC), which is scheduled for race four.  Now in its fifth week, Jason Bertolini (driving his trusty steed Led Schneppelin) will look to redeem his sole defeat in the last edition.  The series is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine. Also on the card are two $5,500 features, a trot and pace, for the better horses on the grounds.

Looking ahead, Cumberland will offer live viewing and wagering on the $1,500,000 Belmont Stakes from New York City.  This is the 155^th renewal of the third and final jewel of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown is a mile and a half test of endurance and stamina.  This year marks the 50^th anniversary of Secretariat’s world record and Triple Crown winning performance.  Cumberland will offer flats programs, as well as all the applicable wagering options.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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.

May 28, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Bruce Ranger won three races on Saturday (May 27), which was the second afternoon of harness racing action at Cumberland that was named in his honor.

After the first race Ranger was interviewed in the winner’s circle by Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association president Mike Cushing.  When asked why he chose to come back to Maine when there was opportunity all over the nation, the perennial leading reinsmen noted, “A lot changes when you go over that big green bridge [in Portsmouth, NH].  I love Maine, and I still love to win races.  But it’s the people here that make me feel at home.”

Then Ranger was swarmed with fans looking for an autograph on their copy of the commemorative program.  Of course, people brought their kids and their dogs for ‘selfies’ and photo ops with the top driver too.

Ranger had the second race off duty, as that was the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event, so he was happy to meet and greet fans on the apron while club president Joe Burke took matters into his own hands.

Leaving from post four Burke came first over at the half, three-wide down the backside to score with his own Plus One and become the only driver this season not named Jason Bertolini to win a $4,400 MADC race.  Tripping the timer in 1:58.2, Plus One is trained by Bob Marston and owned by Burke.  They paid $3.40 to win.  Everyone’s favorite gray horse, Putnam’s Storm, finished second with owner/trainer/driver Bob Nadeau at the controls.  Librado Hanover and Ryan Hall were third.  The Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Falmouth and Windham sponsor the series.

But once the starter’s call for the third race was sounded, Ranger went back to work.  He won that race with S R Willpower in a coast to coast adventure in 1:58 and paid $28.40.  Trained by Wayne Smith for owners Courtney Pitts and Adalberto Silva, the 7-year-old son of Badlands Hanover picked up his first win of the season to get the 14^th win of his 100-start career.

Ranger won the sixth race $5,500 featured FM cond. pace with Amini, using a three-deep move to secure the victory in 1:55.4.  Trained by Elisha Lafreniere, the 5-year-old Sportswriter mare is owned by Karma Racing and paid $6.80 to win.  It was also her first seasonal win in five outings.

Coming right back to nab the hat trick, the judges placed Airspinder and Ranger first over Art Of Endurance (Kevin Switzer Jr.) because the latter ‘carried out’ the former.  The time of the mile was 1:57.1 with just a head’s distance separating the two at the wire.

Nick Graffam also won three races on the card.  Ranger now leads Kevin Switzer Jr. by one win following the weekend, with Graffam in third place.  The tight dash win totals are 23-22-21.  Chris Lefebvre and Jeff Deslandes remain in a dead heat for training wins at 13 all.

Racing resumes Friday (June 2) with live harness racing throughout the Spring and early Summer months.  Regular racing at Cumberland is held 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.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 27, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The $10,000 for 10,000 Bruce Ranger Open Pace turned out to be a battle of the Pine Tree State’s pacing stars as The Bird Dance N defeated some of the area’s swiftest sidesteppers on Friday (May 26) at Cumberland.  The centerpiece of the track’s Bruce Ranger Weekend, the race was named in tribute to the leading reinsman’s recent five-figure win total.

Slated for race eight, the six top pacers lined up behind the Wes Brown starting gate with The Bird Dance N (Nick Graffam) blasting out for the lead from post four.  Grand Gallop Semalu (Dan Deslandes) guarded his pylon position and forced the early leader into a little tap dance to get the top before the quarter pole.  Lexus Witha View A (Kevin Switzer  Jr.) was out and moving immediately and poked a nose in front of a begrudging The Bird Dance N into a 27.2 opening panel.

With Switzer now controlling the tempo, Rocksapatriot (Dave Ingraham) moved first over going to the 56.2 half, with Graffam boxed in and full of pace heading down the backstretch the second time.  The pacers hit the third panel in a steamy 1:25, and with the action fast and furious, fans were thinking, ‘could this be a track record?’

As the field turned for home a leg weary Lexus Witha View A drifted out from the pylons, giving The Bird Dance N just enough racing room to squeeze up the inside.  However, Lexus Witha View A found another gear and fought back valiantly and the two pacers battled down the stretch with Graffam and The Bird Dance N prevailing by a nose in 1:54.3, which was just a fifth of a second off the divisional benchmark.

Sent off at even money, the 8-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance paid $4.00 to win for trainer Karl Butterfield and owner Jose Cervantes.  It was the fourth win of the year and a new seasonal mark for The Bird Dance N, who has earned $26,750 in 11 springtime starts.  Rocksapatriot finished third.

Following the race, Bruce Ranger, along with his a handful of friends and family members joined the perennial leading dash champion in the winner’s circle to help celebrate ‘Bruce Ranger Weekend’ at Cumberland.  The horse people participating in the day’s racing program also enjoyed a cook out in the paddock, sponsored by Silver Streak Starters.

Walter Case Jr. grabbed a wire-to-wire score in the $5,500 top trot, winning with Vesuvio Bi in 1:59.4.  Trained by Joseph Nelson and owned by Michele Nelson and Eric Everett, the 9-year-old son of Manofmanymissions paid $4.20 to win.

Aaron Hall, fresh off his 500^th driving win at Bangor on Wednesday, picked up two more victories on the card, as did Drew Campbell and Wally Watson.

Racing resumes Saturday (May 27), where First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association will continue the ‘Bruce Ranger Weekend’ at the fairgrounds.  The affable driver will be signing autographs on his special commemorative program on the apron after the first race.  The second race is the ever-popular Maine Amateur Driving Club race, sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 22, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

Heath Campbell set a track record in the $5,000 opener with Pembroke Ideal BJ while his older brother Drew Campbell finished second in that mile.  Later in the day, Drew Campbell captured the $6,500 featured trot with Little Macabee, to give the orange-clad products of the Canadian Maritimes bookend victories on Sunday (May 21) at Cumberland.

Heath Campbell got away third in the opener and gave the lightly raced 4-year-old daughter of American Ideal a patient, but effective steer in the $5,000 conditioned pace.  The pacesetting Hired Hand (Bruce Ranger) trail-blazed opening fractions of 27.4, 57.2, and then posted an eye-popping 1:24.4 third panel.  Down the stretch, the younger Campbell fed the mare racetrack and she got up to win by a quarter length over Perfect Force and the elder Drew Campbell to set a new benchmark for 4-year-old pacing mares of 1:55.3.

Owned by Bill Varney and trained by Campbell’s partner Valerie Grondin, it was the fifth lifetime victory for the wagering favorite, who paid $5.40 to win the fastest race of the afternoon and take new lifetime mark.  Perfect Force (Drew Campbell) followed that fast two-hole trip for second money; Hired Hand was third.

Fast forward to the $6,500 featured finale and Winston ‘Drew’ Campbell had his eyes on the prize as he blasted Little Macabee from post 7 into the third position behind rail sitting pacesetter Mister Muscle (Kevin Switzer Jr.).  As the leader set hasty fractions of 29.1 and 1:00.2 in the initial half, Campbell was not content to sit and allow things to unfold. 

Pulling first up heading into the third turn, Little Macabee challenged for the lead into a 1:29.3 third stanza.  As the trotters were head and head around the final turn it was a ‘tooth and nail battle’ according to track announcer Scott Ehrlich.  As the field was poised for the final stretch duel, Campbell shifted his 9-year-old son of Chapter Seven into another gear and gained some separation from Switzer Jr. and Mister Muscle.  But the race was not won as of yet.  Following a three-wide bid around the final turn, McStoned Again (Nick Graffam) was gaining ground on the new leader, and getting closer with every stride.

The wire arrived just in time for Drew Campbell and Little Macabee, as the pair prevailed by a nose to stop the timer in 2:00.  Owned by Maryann Tompkins and trained by Erik Bickmore, it was the fifth seasonal victory for the ultra-consistent trotter, who paid $8.80 to win by a whisker over McStoned Again.  Broadway Giant (Ranger) was third.

Bruce Ranger copped a three-bagger and Dan Deslandes had a driving double on the program, with the former moving back to the top of drivers’ standings with 20 trips to the winner’s circle, over Kevin Switzer Jr. who has 19.  Ranger scored in three of four races in a row, including: American Fighter (2:01.2, $13.60), Shaw Town (1:59.2, $5.20), and his own PBR Street Gang (1:57.3, $2.60).

Jeff Deslandes and Chris Lefebvre are tied at 12 wins apiece in the Cumberland trainers’ standings after 13 racing programs with a total of 138 races contested.  28 winners have come from post position five, followed by post four with 24 and pylon position with 23, since the meet began on April 14.

Racing resumes Friday (May 26) and Saturday (May 27), where First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association are proud to present ‘Bruce Ranger Weekend’ at the fairgrounds. 

To commemorate the special weekend, a collectable color cover program wrap will be filled with seven pages of old and recent photos of one of Maine’s favorite sons.  This, coupled with interviews and autograph sessions with leading reinsman Bruce Ranger, is a rare event that fans will not want to miss.

In honor of the occasion, First Tracks Cumberland will offer the Bruce Ranger Open Pace $10,000 for 10,000.  Horses that have made a purse start in the state of Maine this season will be given preference.  Horsemen should note that the box now closes an hour later at 10 am on Tuesday (May 23) for the double draw.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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.

May 20, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Homegrown reinsman Nick Graffam started Saturday’s (May 20) Cumberland program needing just one victory to push him over the edge to the 1,000 lifetime win threshold.  That moment finally arrived in the eighth race, where a horse named Four Finger Floyd put the Maine-native into the four-figure win category.

“I am grateful for every opportunity I’ve had, everywhere I race.  But I am glad [the 1,000^th win] was at my home track,” stated the lanky 32-year-old.

Born and raised just down the road at the historic Norton Farm, Graffam works with his parents Mike and Lori and sister Bethany at the family’s iconic local stable and training center.  He and his fiancé Natalie live in a house right next to the farm.

Graffam continued, “Growing up on the farm meant a lot of long days and hard work.  But days like today feel really great when all that time and effort pays off.”

And it took some time and effort to get to the winners circle today, as Graffam had driven in four races prior to hitting pay dirt.  In that mile Graffam sat a perfect pocket trip to draw off and win by two lengths in 1:57.2 with Four Finger Floyd.  Trained by Karl Butterfield and owned by Jose Cerventes, the 5-year-old son of Sportswriter paid $6.60 to win.

One race later, Graffam came right back to get win number 1,001 with Black Hawk Down.  A wire-to-wire score in 2:01.3.  The favored 5-year-old Kadabra trotting gelding was trained by Sara Harrington and owned by Robert and Beth Gibbs.  He paid $3.60 to win.

The featured $6,500 FM winners over pace was captured by Newsy N for driver and co-owner Ron Cushing (with Kevin Sywyk) and trainer Heidi Gibbs.  Scoring in the opener in 1:55.3, it was the fourth seasonal victory for the 6-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight.  She paid $3.40 to win.  Lydia’s Liberty (Dan Deslandes) finished second; Ry’s Red Rocket (Mark Athearn) was third.

In Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) action, Jason Bertolini continued his reign of terror, winning the $4,400 event for the third straight week.  Back behind Bailey’s Legacy, the horse he won with two weeks ago, Bertolini drove a tactically savvy race, allowing his fellow competitors to tussle on the front end before pouncing down the backside for the final time. 

Bailey’s Legacy scored in 2:00, a new seasonal mark, for trainer Sherry Cushing and owner/breeder Bruce Inch.  A 6-year-old son of Western Maverick, he paid $5.40 to win.  Jaxson R Brown (Dalton Lee) finished second; A List (Benson Merrill) was third.  The MADC is faithfully sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham.

Dan Deslandes and Kevin Switzer Jr. both had driving doubles on the program, with the latter moving to the top of drivers’ standings with 18 trips to the winner’s circle, one more than Bruce Ranger who has 17.  Taking the finale with Uptown Lover (2:01.3, $10.60), Aaron Hall moved to within one win of his 500^th career victory.

Racing resumes Sunday (May 21) and features the $6,500 NW $5000 Trot, with post time set at 3:15 pm.   

Looking ahead to Friday (May 26) and Saturday (May 27), First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association will present ‘Bruce Ranger Weekend’ at the fairgrounds.   A special color cover program wrap will be filled with seven pages of old and recent photos of one of Maine’s favorite sons, along with interviews and autograph sessions with Bruce Ranger.  Fans will not want to miss this opportunity to share in the Norton Farm driver’s special ceremonies, which will honor his racing accomplishments, including his recent 10,000^th career victory. In honor of ‘Bruce Ranger Weekend,’ First Tracks Cumberland will offer a Free For All Pace, with a lofty purse of $10,000.  Horses that have made a purse start in the state of Maine this season will be given preference, with many of the aforementioned pacers likely to participate.  See race secretary Rob Pennington’s condition sheet for further details.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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.

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – Nick Graffam won the featured $6,500 Winners Over Pace on Friday (May 19) at Cumberland with The Bird Dance N, putting the local reinsman just one win away from the 1,000 lifetime win benchmark.

The top pacers in Southern Maine enjoyed a full field of seven going postward for Friday’s eighth race, with Heath Campbell blasting out for the lead with Hespoisedtopounce A from post six.  Graffam also left alertly, but yielded into the two-hole with The Bird Dance, and sat patiently through opening fractions of 27.4 and 57.3.

The first to pull going past the half was Kevin Switzer Jr. with Lexus Withaview A who matched strides with the leader into a 1:26.1 third panel.  The Bird Dance was enjoying a perfect trip around the final turn as the two front-end battlers were wheel to wheel and nose to nose. 

At the head of the stretch it was all over but the chirping as Graffam slipped the 3/5 favorite up the inside to fly down the lane, winning easily by three parts of a length.  Trained by Karl Butterfield and owned by Jose Cerventes, the 8-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance paid $3.40 to win.  Lexus With a View A got up to be second; Hespoisedtopounce A hung on for third.

Graffam has eight drives on the Saturday program, and will be working hard to capture that four-digit dash win total.

Next week, in honor of ‘Bruce Ranger Weekend,’ First Tracks Cumberland will offer a Free For All Pace, with a lofty purse of $10,000.  Horses that have made a purse start in the state of Maine this season will be given preference, with many of the aforementioned pacers likely to participate.  See race secretary Rob Pennington’s condition sheet for further details.

Aaron Hall had three wins on the card with: Bellas Shadow (2:03; $2.20), Whatchagonnadoboo (1:57.3, $12.60), and a triple-digit score with Iwillmakeyousaywow (2:00.1; $102.20).  The 29-year-old Hall began driving in 2014, but started competing ‘full time’ in 2017 and is now just two wins away from his 500^th career driving victory.  A busy salesman in his ‘day job’, the Maine-native is proudly ‘Sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds’ and has earned $2.4 million in purses.  Hall, the affable treasurer of the Maine Harness Horseman’s Association, has seven mounts on Saturday.

Dan Deslandes and Bruce Ranger both had driving doubles on the program, with the latter taking control of the drivers’ standings with 17 trips to the winners circle.

With the three-day weekend in full swing, the 148^th running of the $1,500,000 Preakness Stakes is the Saturday centerpiece of the Southern Maine oval’s trifecta of offerings.  The track will have Pimlico programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

Saturday’s (May 20) program also carries eleven races, and kicks off with the $6,500 Fillies and Mares Winners Over $10,000 Lifetime Handicap Pace.  The popular Maine Amateur Driving Club goes postward in the second race, is now in its third week, and is sponsored by Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham. The featured race for Sunday (May 21) is the $6,500 NW $5000 Trot, with post time set at 3:15 pm.   

Looking ahead to Friday (May 26) and Saturday (May 27), First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association will present ‘Bruce Ranger Weekend’ at the fairgrounds.   A special color cover program wrap will be filled with seven pages of old and recent photos of one of Maine’s favorite sons, along with interviews and autograph sessions with Bruce Ranger.  Fans will not want to miss this opportunity to share in the Norton Farm driver’s special ceremonies, which will honor his racing accomplishments, including his recent 10,000^th career victory.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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.

May 19, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Maine faithful may trade crab cakes for ‘Lobstah’ rolls, but that won’t stop fans and bettors from enjoying the Preakness Stakes simulcast on Saturday (May 20) at Cumberland Raceway. 

With a three-day weekend on tap, the 148^th running of the $1,500,000 Grade 1 Triple Crown race is the centerpiece of the Southern Maine oval’s trifecta of offerings.  Sandwiched into a Friday-Saturday-Sunday (May 19-21) run of live harness racing action, the track will have Pimlico programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

This Friday’s (May 19) 11 race program features the $6,500 Winners Over $10,000 Lifetime Handicap Pace, and includes a 50 cent trifecta in every race and kicks off with a 50 cent pick 5.   In addition, three 20 cent superfectas (races 4, 7 & 9), a 50 cent pick 4 (starts race 8) and the final race delivers our 20 cent pentafecta (super high five) with a low 16% takeout. 

Saturday’s (May 20) Preakness Day program also carries eleven races, and kicks off with the $6,500 Fillies and Mares Winners Over $10,000 Lifetime Handicap Pace.  The popular Maine Amateur Driving Club goes postward in the second race, is now in its third week, and is sponsored by Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham.

The featured race for Sunday (May 21) is the $6,500 NW $5000 Trot, with post time for all three days set at 3:15 pm.   There is currently a three-way tie for leading reinsman at Cumberland, with Drew Campbell, Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. all at 15 wins apiece.

Looking ahead to Friday (May 26) and Saturday (May 27), First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association will present ‘Bruce Ranger Weekend’ at the fairgrounds.   A special color cover program wrap will be filled with six pages of old and recent photos of one of Maine’s favorite sons, along with interviews and autograph sessions with Bruce Ranger.  Fans will not want to miss this opportunity to share in the Norton Farm driver’s special ceremonies, which will honor his racing accomplishments, including his recent 10,000^th career victory.

Also of Norton Farm fame, and having picked up win number 998 on Thursday (May 18) at Plainridge, Nick Graffam is just 2 victories away from reaching his 1,000 career win milestone.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 14, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. continued his hot streak for the second day in a row at Cumberland, winning four races on the 10-race Saturday (May 13) program, which started out with a track record-equaling performance.

‘Switz’ floated away into third position with Always A Good Time, while letting pacesetter Commemorative (Drew Campbell) take command in the race three $4,800 conditioned trot.  Nick Graffam dropped in the two hole with Eternal Faith following a brief flurry of opening activity, and that’s how the field stayed through early fractions of 29.2 and 1:00.4. 

Going down the backside for the final time, Switzer Jr. was keenly aware that the leader was getting tired and steppy and pulled his mount to the outside while full of trot into a 1:29.4 third panel.  As leader Commemorative finally broke at the seven-eighths pole, Always A Good Time trotted gamely through the last turn and past the fracas to draw off and win by 3-3/4 lengths.  The final time of 2:00.2 equaled the track record for older trotting stallions.

The 9-year-old stud by Triumphant Caviar is owned and trained by Jamie Gerard and paid $6.00 to win.  Mackworth (Heath Campbell) went from last at the third panel to finish second with a burst of closing speed.  Chav Hanover (John Beckwith) finished third.

Additional scores that rounded out Switzer Jr.’s grand slam were: race 5 with Mach Three (2:01.3, $12.80); featured $6,500 winners over pace in race 7 with Lexus With A View A (1:55, $5.80); and race eight with Oceanview Echo (1:58, $2.80).

The strong weekend for Switzer Jr. gave the driver 15 wins this season and created a three-way tie for bragging rights with Drew Campbell and Bruce Ranger amongst the talented reinsmen at the Cumberland oval.  Trainer Jamie Gerard won two races on the program, which puts him at eight wins on the year, second to leading conditioner Chris Lefebvre with 11 seasonal victories.

 ‘Like a bullet’ said track announcer Scott Ehrlich, Led Scheppelin went for the lead in the second week of Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) action.  Driven by Jason Bertolini, and feeling confident off his win with a different horse in last week’s episode, the 26-year-old kept all the would-be spoilers at bay through perfectly rated fractions amidst early pocket-pullers, and a ‘five-high’ on the backside melee. 

This week, the ‘best side-show’ in harness racing lived up to its moniker with owner/trainer/driver Bertolini scoring in 2:01.1 with his beloved Led Schneppelin, while paying a handsome $11.20 to his backers.  Vel Scotty Boy (Todd Whitney) finished second; Rest Assured (David Zuckerman) was third.  MADC events are proudly sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Next week, First Tracks Cumberland is proud to provide fans with the opportunity to watch and wager on the 148^th Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course.  Saturday (May 20) the track will have programs, big screen television viewing and betting on the day’s Thoroughbred card available at the Fairgrounds.  Deb Patterson, the Executive Director of the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association has planted a host of Black-Eyed Susans on the apron in honor of the occasion.

Coming up is a ‘three-day weekend’ at Cumberland.  In addition to next week’s regularly scheduled programming on Friday and Saturday (May 19 & 20), live harness racing continues at Cumberland with a special card on Sunday (May 21).  First post remains 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/