July 7, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s 2-year-old trotters rolled into their first sires stakes action of the season on Saturday (July 6), with two $15,000-plus divisions opening the 12-race card at Cumberland Raceway.   

The diagonally gaited distaffs were the first $15,816 group out of the gate with the usual growing pains associated with green trotters. Following a few miscues after the start Ken Watson got Lady Lake Marty (6-1, Whataworkout) away from the gate cleanly and was on top by eight into a swift 30 second opening panel.  In a more subdued 1:02 half, the pair were on top by twelve and then eight lengths at the 1:34.1 third panel. 

That lead expired quickly when the pacesetting filly jumped it off while trotting into the final turn, allowing Pandemic Princess and Heath Campbell (9-5, Whataworkout) to roll through the apex and take command.  Down the stretch they strode to a 7-1/4 length score in 2:06.3.

Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe, the duo paid $5.60 to win.

Katahdin Mistress (Wally Watson-Lisa Watson) finished second; Lady Lake Marty hung on for third.

The boys hopped into the fray next, vying for their share of the $16,028 Maine Sire Stakes purse.

The first to leave was Ken Watson with Whatawonder (9-2, Whataworkout) who cleared sharply and took the field into a moderate 31.2 first quarter.  Gapping out in the pocket was Mark Athearn with Iron Mike (5-1, Whataworkout) while heading to the 1:05 half, forcing Walter Case Jr. to come first over with Liberty’s Wildcard (2-1, Noble Venture).

Thru the paddock turn the second time Liberty’s Wildcard jumped, prompting Wally Watson and Katahdin Victor (4-5, Victor Blue Chip) to move first over into a 1:36 swifter third panel.  With Iron Mike on his inside Katahdin Victor grabbed second position, as the leader, Whatawonder, was on top by eight by the head of the stretch.

No further changes in the marching orders were realized as the pacesetter sailed home in 2:07.1.  Trained by Lisa Watson for owner-breeder Barbara Lawson, he paid $11.80 to win. 

Katahdin Victor finished second; Iron Mike was third.

Our favorite octogenarian was at it again this week, scoring another victory with N Expense in the Maine Amateur Driver Club (MADC) race.  86-year-old Bob Nadeau made a three-wide move down the backside to win by three in 1:59.1.  As the owner, trainer and driver, it was the second such triumph for the duo in the last month, but this time he paid a whopping $34.60 to win.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Racing resumes Friday, July 12 as the First Tracks Cumberland meet continues with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

July 6, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Walter Case Jr., who ranks 9^th on the all-time dash wins list among active drivers, added six victories to his lifetime total of 11,395 on Friday (July 5) at Cumberland Raceway.

‘Casey’ started his six pack by taking both $15,986 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

The first division he captured with Massive Speed, using a two-hole trip to grab the lead in mid-stretch and get the son of Dude’s The Man a new 2:01.4 race record.  Trained by Marc Tardif and owned by Leighton Property, he was bred by Laurie Harding and paid $2.40 to win.

Pacesetter Ridgecrest Dan (John Nason) finished second; Dude’s Wanted Man (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) was third.

Case came right back in the second division to score with the Tardif-trained Jax Attack in 2:05.  Again utilizing a pocket trip to score with the heavy favorite, the son of Deuce Seelster paid $2.40 for owner Leighton Property.  He was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.

Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham-Fred Ward Jr.) finished second; Ella V Dude (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) was third.

Case won his third race of the afternoon with another Tardif-trained pupil Pickmepickme in 1:57, paying $3.00 to win.  Then he continued his reign of terror in race eight with Royalty Again (1:58.1, $6.60); race 11 with To My Credit (1:59.4, $2.60); and race 12 with Virtual Success (1:58.1, $14.00).

Looking ahead to Saturday (July 6), Cumberland welcomes all the 2-year-old trotters for their first Maine Sires Stakes action, with two $15,000-plus divisions going postward as races one and three.    The filly trotters are first up in race one, and are led by Pandemic Princess (8-5, Campbell-Grondin)

Race three gives five trotting colts and gelding their time in the spotlight.  Katahdin Victor (6-5, Wallace Watson-Lisa Watson) is the early favorite and has already shown some flashes of brilliance.

Also on Saturday’s 12-race program of full fields is a $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) goes as race four.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

July 5, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – With the Learn and Earn baby races behind them, the Pine Tree State-bred 2-year-old pacing colts will start earning their keep at First Tracks Cumberland on Friday (July 5) in two $15,986 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes.

The action starts Friday in the 3:15 pm opener where five young lads will go behind the Wes Brown starting car with the hopes of being the next Standardbred star.  The early morning line favorite is Massive Speed (7-5, Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) who took a 2:02.1 record three weeks ago.  Inside him is Dude’s Wanted Man (2-1, Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) who has won both of his qualifiers at Bangor.

Ridgecrest Dan (9-5, John Nason) leaves from the outermost post five, and was named after the late Dan Chamberlain, proprietor of Ridgecrest Horse Supply who parked his mobile tack shop outside of the paddock at many of Maine’s hotbeds of harness racing.

In race three another quintet of freshmen sidesteppers look to land the lion’s share of the $15,986 purse.  The favorite is Jax Attack (1-1, Case-Tardif) has several successful preliminary miles under his belt.  Just outside him is This Dudes Perfect (6-5, Campbell-Grondin) who also has some experience up at Bangor.

Friday’s card carries a total of 13 races, with all of the betting options and low take-outs that have made Cumberland a popular destination for punters.

Looking ahead to Saturday (July 6), Cumberland welcomes all the 2-year-old trotters for their first Maine Sires Stakes action, with two $15,000-plus divisions going postward as races one and three.    The filly trotters are first up in race one, and are led by Pandemic Princess (8-5, Campbell-Grondin)

Race three gives five trotting colts and gelding their time in the spotlight.  Katahdin Victor (6-5, Wallace Watson-Lisa Watson) is the early favorite and has already shown some flashes of brilliance.

Also on Saturday’s 12-race program of full fields is a $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) goes as race four.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 30, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts resulted in a shuffling of the deck for this crop of sidesteppers, with two new seasonal winners emerging on Saturday (June 29) at Cumberland Raceway.

Carded as races one and three on the 12-race afternoon program, the Maine faithful bring their some of their best stock to these stakes events, and this week was no exception.  In the first $16,257 division trainer-driver Ron Cushing sent Hesjustadelight (7-2) on a forward trajectory right from the start.

Scoring from post five the son of Western Maverick rolled swiftly out from the start and was hung out by Thru The Fire (10-1, Andy Harrington-Marc Tardif) into a 28.1 opening panel.  With the pair gaining over 10 lengths of separation on the field, Harrington took back and Cushing settled in on the front end before they hit the 3/8s marker. 

With a more forgiving half in 59, the rest of the field started to decrease their lengths behind the leader and move closer to the pace, while the leader hit the third panel in 1:28.2.  Down the backside the second time, 1-9 betting choice Ella V Fella (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Tardif) moved into second place but got rough gaited in the turn as he approached the pacesetter’s helmet.  That allowed Cushing and Hesjustadelight to scamper off and score unfettered by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:59, a new career best.  He paid $9.20 to win.

Owned by Ron Cushing, breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe, Anthony and Joseph Romanelli, it was the gelding’s first seasonal victory and fifth lifetime win.

Ella V Fella finished second; Thru The Fire was third.

In the second $16,482 division of the Maine Sire Stakes the favored winner of the last two legs, Justcallmebuck (3-5, Heath Campbell-Gary Hall) left from pylon position and took command through a 28.4 opening panel.  With a more pedestrian half in 1:00.2 the outer flow materialized with Arts Flight (14-1, Harrington-Tardif) first up and stable mate Two Fold Cold (9-1, Switzer-Tardif) second over.

As the pace appeared to be stalling on the front end into a 1:28.4 third panel, Switzer tipped Two Fold Cold three-wide down the backside and set upon the leaders through the final turn.  With a bold move and the momentum behind them, the pair breezed down the lane and got up to win by a length in 1:58.4, a new lifetime mark.  He paid $20.80 to win.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, the son of Deuce Seelster was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.  Justcallmebuck hung on to be second; Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.-Tardif) was third.

In other news, So Rock N’Roll extended his win streak to eight, taking the $6,000 featured overnight in 1:54.2, which was a new lifetime mark for the 4-year-old son of Western Maverick.  Trained by Benson Merrill and driven by Bruce Ranger, he paid just $2.20 to win.  Owned and bred by Leighton Property/Lesley Leighton, he came from off the pace once again and overpowered his foes.

Benson Merrill also won the $5,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) with Velocity Sub Z in 1:59.  Owned and trained by Judson Merrill, he paid $16.60 to win. The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Drew Campbell fashioned a driving double, and Benson Merrill enjoyed a training double.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

Horsemen remember Frank Dubreuil

June 29, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Trainer Valerie Grondin made a clean sweep of both Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters at Cumberland Raceway on Friday (June 28), the second trainer to do so in as many weeks.

In the pair of $16,000-plus divisions of Pine Tree State-bred harness horses, the Bangor-based conditioner, along with her husband Heath Campbell, are always a formidable force on the local stakes circuit and proved that point once again.

The action began with an early non-betting race for Maine-sired 3-year-old male trotters, where Mark Athearn had sent last week’s winner Carabassett to the top from pylon position.  Following splits of 29.3 and 1:01.3, it appeared as if the pacesetter would have things his own way.

However, driver Drew Campbell piloting Grondin’s Chipper Dale was sitting comfortably in the 2-hole following a 1:31.1 third panel and tipped out in the lane to overcome the leader and score in 2:02.1 by 2-1/4 lengths. 

The sophomore son of Shake It Off Lindy trotted his final quarter in 30.4 and took a new lifetime mark for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe to take home the lion’s share of the $15,758 purse.  The connections surely have high hopes for Chipper Dale as he won six of eight starts last season.

Carrabassett finished second; Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell-Grondin) was third.

The regular card featured the $16,208 3-year-old filly trot, which was a rematch between last week’s victor, My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn-Gretchen Athearn) and last year’s 2-year-old filly champion Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell-Grondin), who finished second last time out. 

Once again, Athearn left with his filly My Saving Grace, setting reasonable fractions of 30.3 and 1:03.1 to the half.  With the tempo increasing dramatically moving into a 1:33.1 third stanza, Heath Campbell had Pembroke Breeze first up and gaining ground with every stride.  By the head of the stretch the only question was ‘how fast’ and ‘by how many’ the daughter of Pembroke Slugger would be victorious.

The Grondin trainee did everything her aviator asked of her, scoring in 2:03 by 4-3/4 lengths, taking a new lifetime mark in the process.  Owned and bred by Bill Varney, she paid $4.20 to win.

Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing-Charlene Cushing) finished second; My Saving Grace was third.

Friday’s program also included a tribute race, in memory of Frank Dubreuil where dozens of his fellow horsemen, admirers and friends formed a horseshoe tribute at the finish wire in honor of their former presiding judge.

Drivers Kevin Switzer Jr., Walter Case Jr., Aaron Hall and Dave Ingraham had driving doubles on the program.  However, none paid more than ‘Double-Digit’ Dave’s score in the ninth race where he paid $131.40 with the Michel Bilodeau-trained Age Is A Number in 1:58.4.

Looking ahead to Saturday (June 29), Cumberland welcomes back the 3-year-old pacing colts for another round of Maine Sires Stakes action, with two $16,000-plus divisions going postward as races one and three. 

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 28, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Maine-bred trotters return to First Tracks Cumberland on Friday (June 28) for two $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes, where the Athearn’s My Saving Grace will try to make it two-in-a-row as she takes on a handful of fillies in the opener.

The action starts Friday with a single non-betting race at 2:45 pm for Maine-sired 3-year-old male trotters, where Mark and Gretchen Athearn also send last week’s winner Carabassett.  The sophomore son of Boy Band drew pylon position in the early race, and hopes that spot will allow for another wire-to-wire rout where he took a new mark of 2:03.2 for owner Pat Leavitt.

Then the 12-race card opener features the $16,208 3-year-old filly trot, which is a rematch between last week’s victor, My Saving Grace (7-5, Mark Athearn) and last year’s 2-year-old filly champion Pembroke Breeze (6-5, Heath Campbell), who finished second last time out.  Both fillies are intimately familiar with each other, having sparred over ten times and have traded victories almost equally.

Friday’s (June 28) card (post time 3:15 pm) also includes a tribute race, in memory of Frank Dubreuil in race 4, as well as a $5,000 guaranteed 50-cent Pick-4 (races 9-12) with a low 16-percent take out.

Looking ahead to Saturday (June 29), Cumberland welcomes back the 3-year-old pacing colts for another round of Maine Sires Stakes action, with two $16,000-plus divisions going postward as races one and three. 

Leading the charge in the first division is the even money favorite Ella V Fella (Kevin Switzer-Marc Tardif).  A winner of three of five races this season, he leaves from post one and will have to contend with the hard-charging Hesjustadelight (2-1, Ron Cushing) from post five.

In the second $16,482 division the rail-sitting favorite Justcallmebuck (2-1, Heath Campbell-Gary Hall) could very well have things his own way from the inside.  Winner of his last two stakes and three overall, the gray son of Deuce Seelster is clearly on a roll.  Likely to be his biggest threats are a one-two punch from the Tardif Taskforce in Wes’s Challenge (3-1, Walter Case Jr.) and Two Fold Cold (7-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.), who are both winners in their last outings.

Also on Saturday’s 12-race program of full fields includes the featured overnight $6,000 top pace with So Rock N’Roll putting his 7-race win streak on the line in race nine.  In addition, the $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) goes as race five on Saturday.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 22, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Mark Athearn and trainer Gretchen Athearn swept a pair of Maine Sire Stakes trotting events on Friday (June 21) at Cumberland Raceway, recreating a similar instance last season where the same two youngsters won their stakes debuts on the same day.

It was like Déjà vu all over again when in the $15,758 early non-wagering event Athearn’s Carrabassett went right to the top and never looked back, scoring by 9 open lengths in 2:03.2.  The sophomore son of Boy Band did the same thing in his first pari-mutuel race in 2023, winning in a pedestrian 2:11.3.  Reducing his mark by nearly 8 seconds, it was his first trip back to the winner’s circle since last July.  Owned by Patrick Leavitt, he was bred by the late Mike Andrew.

Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) last season’s freshman champion finished second; Chipper Dale (Drew Campbell) was third.  They were both trained by Valerie Grondin.

In the $16,208 opener for Maine-sired 3-year-old trotting fillies, Athearn took matters into his own hands once again and repeated his wire-to-wire journey with My Saving Grace in 2:05.1.  The Shake It Off Lindy filly won her first three starts last year, and went on to capture a total of five Maine Sire Stakes on the season.  Taking a new mark for Team Athearn, she is owned by Margaret Thyng and paid $7.60 to win by a length.  She was bred by Leighton Property.

Last year’s distaff champ and 1-2 favorite Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell) finished second; Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) was third.

Next, a pair of $16,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings went postward as races 3 and 4 on the 13-race pari-mutuel card.

Justcallmebuck just keeps on winning as the son of Deuce Seelster grabbed his third in a row for driver Heath Campbell and trainer Gary Hall.  Slicing through the beam in 1:59.1, the duo provided a meager $2.20 payoff as the 1-9 heavy favorite.  Owned and bred by Kristina Hall, it was the gray colt’s second consecutive stakes victory, and another wire-to-wire romp.

What’s For Suppah (Aaron Hall-Michelle Hardin) finished a fast-closing second; Chance Worth Tryin (Drew Campbell-Kevin Chase) was third.

The Tardif Taskforce nearly swept the final $16,416 event, with their charges taking first, second and fourth places.  Aaron Hall left swiftly with Ron Cushing’s Hesjustadelight, setting an opening panel of 29.1.  They paced in single file fashion to the 59.2 half, where 1-2 favorite Ella V Fella (Kevin Switzer Jr.) moved first over from fifth position. While he embarked on that mission to improve his position, that attempt proved unsuccessful as stable mate Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.) popped the deuce and took command past the 1:28.1 third stanza.

Storming home in 1:58, the son of Deuce Seelster paid $7.20 to win, who was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.  Art’s Flight (Andy Harrington-Mark Tardif) picked up the pieces and finished second; Hesjustadelight hung on to be third; Ella V Fella was fourth.

Driver Drew Campbell had four wins on the card, and Mark Athearn won three which included the early non-betting race.

Racing resumes on Saturday (June 22) which brings the Learn & Earn 2-year-old races back with four non-wagering events starting at 1:30 pm.  The regular card begins promptly at 3:15 pm with a 12-race program of full fields, including the featured $6,000 top pace in race 11.

A single $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) rings the bell for the opener on Saturday.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 20, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland hosts four $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes on Friday (June 21) when the southern oval begins a stretch of 30 races over the weekend.

The action starts Friday with a single non-betting race at 2:45 pm for Maine-sired 3-year-old male trotters.  Then the 13-race card opener features the $16,208 3-year-old filly trot, led by last year’s frosh filly champion Pembroke Breeze.  The Valerie Grondin-trained lass by Pembroke Slugger has been listed as 6-5.  Heath Campbell gets the call from post 4.

Pine Tree State racing continues in races 3 and 4 with the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers which was rescheduled due to the cancellation of the Wednesday (June 19) Bangor program. 

Last week, the fastest of the two divisions of sophomore pacing boys was captured by Gary Hall’s Just Call Me Buck in 1:57.4.  The 3-year-old son of Deuce Seelster won his last pair of outings and will be looking to make this race a three-peat performance.  Installed as the 6-5 early morning line favorite, Heath Campbell gets the assignment.

Second choice What’s For Suppah (3-1, Aaron Hall) will try to crash the party from his outermost post position five.  Owned and trained by Michelle Hardin, he is also a son of Deuce Seelster and would like to get the lion’s share of the $16,191 purse in race 3.

In the second $16,416 division in race 4, Ella V Fella got pushed to the outside, but was still installed as the 7-5 favorite with Kevin Switzer Jr. driving.  With victories in all three of his seasonal starts, the son of Artistic Fella was bred by Marc Tardif, who also owns and trains. 

Looking to upset the apple cart will be Wes’s Challenge (3-1, Walter Case Jr.).  Another Tardif disciple, this is the colt’s first inside post position since Labor Day, so look for him to fire out of there swiftly.

Friday’s (June 21) regular card (post time 3:15 pm) carries 13 races with all of the standard and exotic betting options, including our popular 50-cent Pick-5 (races 3-7) with a low 16-percent take out.

Saturday (June 22) brings the Learn & Earn 2-year-old races back with four non-wagering events starting at 1:30 pm.  The regular card begins promptly at 3:15 pm with a 12-race program of full fields, including the featured $6,000 top pace in race 11.

A single $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) rings the bell for the opener on Saturday.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

Attention Horsemen: The draw for FRIDAY’s (June 21) Learn & Earn baby races is TUESDAY (June 18). Box closes at 10 am.

June 16, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – 86-year-old owner-trainer-driver Bob Nadeau had been winless in seven starts this season.  That all changed on Saturday (June 15) at Cumberland, when the youthful octogenarian steered his own N Expense to victory in a $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club.

A concrete salesman by trade, the affable and hard-working part-time horseman has never let age get in the way of his passion for racing.

“I have been doing forty chin ups every day, ever since I was on the football team in high school,” noted Nadeau.  “Not only has this helped keep me fit, but has also been useful in the bike when these horses start to get a little grabby.”

In Saturday’s victory, Nadeau found himself splitting horses with his 2-hole position and left alertly along with the pylon-protecting I’ll Call You Later (Derek Howes) and Goin Manstyle (Hunter Lofthus) who was forcing the quick opening pace on the outside.

However, once around the turn the pacesetting I’ll Call You Later dramatically downgraded the tempo, resulting in a pedestrian 29 second opening panel.  With the field stacked up tightly around the far turn, Nadeau pops the pocket going into a 1:01 even softer second quarter.

With the upbeat rhythm heading into the backstretch for the final time, N Expense looked I’ll Call You Later right in the eye, and then went right on by.  After a 1:29.4 third section, Nadeau kept right on rolling down to the wire by an open five lengths, scoring in 2:01.1.  It was the second seasonal victory for the Nova Scotia-bred 13-year-old son of N Xample, who paid $10.60 for the triumph.

Owned, trained and driven to victory by Bob Nadeau, it was the reinsman’s first visit to the winners circle since December of last year when his gray stable star Putnam’s Storm won the $7,000 Frosty Final.  Nadeau has been driving horses since 1977 and has quietly amassed 165 victories and earned $261,508.

Always modest, Nadeau stated, “I never made a lot of money driving horses, but I have always had a lot of fun.  And you can’t put a price on that!”

In other news, former track record holder Rocksapatriot driven by Dave Ingraham sat a perfect 2-hole trip to upset pacesetting favorite Instant Replay (Walter Case Jr.) to win the $6,000 feature in 1:57.2.  They paid $12.80 to win for owner-trainer Kelly Case.

Former Maine sire stakes champion Call Me Maverick returned to his home track to take a $5,500 conditioned pace in a swift 1:55.4.  Paying $2.40 to win, Mike Stevenson drove for trainer Allison Hynes.  The summa cum laude graduate of the Gordon Corey Institute of Equine Erudition remains the homebred property of Upland Farm.

Stephen LaCasse took the other $5,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event, picking up his first win of the year with Nets Of Passion in 1:58.4.  They paid $3.80 and were the favorites from the pylon position.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The Maine Sire Stakes opened the card with two $16,196 divisions of 3-year-old filly pacers, with Push Your Luck (Walter Case Jr.) scoring in 2:01.2 for owner-trainer-breeder Marc Tardif.  The daughter of Thirty Two Red paid $6.60 to win.  Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished second; favorite My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Tardif) was third.

In the second $16,196 division heavy favorite Gowestyounggrace took the overland route and wore down her challengers to score in 1:58.1.  Driven by Dave Ingraham for trainer and co-owner Fred Ward with partner Sharon Ward, the daughter of Western Maverick paid a paltry $2.20.  Pacesetter Who’s Perfect (Campbell-Grondin) was second; Ghost Of You (Switzer-Tardif) was third.

Racing resumes Friday (June 21) which includes several divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/