June 16, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Call Me Maverick returned home to Cumberland and returned back to his winning ways, as driver Mike Stevenson gave the Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old male pacing champion of 2021 a coast-to-coast victory for his trainer Alison Hynes and her partner Gordon Corey.
The 5-year-old son of Western Maverick picked up the 24th victory of his career, and pushed his lifetime earnings to $247,162 for his Upland Farm owners. Just the third start of the year for the former local hero, the wagering favorite tripped the timer in 1:56.1 to win the opener and pay $2.80 to his many backers. The Bush Man N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; Drinka Beer (Andy Harrington) was third in the $6,000 featured conditioned pace.
The $5,500 featured trot was another wire-to-wire romp for Mouthpiece and driver Mark Athearn. Repeating his ‘go to the front and don’t look back’ routine from last week, the 8-year-old son of Noble Venture never had an anxious moment as the pair strolled home a winner in 2:01. Owned and trained by Gretchen Athearn, he paid $7.60 to win. Muscle Gene (Aaron Hall) finished second; L Dees Yoyo Ma (Mike Stevenson) was third.
Four drivers enjoyed doubles on the 13-race program, including Walter Case Jr., Dan Deslandes, Aaron Hall and Kevin Switzer Jr. The first three listed all won back to back races, but Switzer Jr. won the 4th and the 13th which put him at just one victory away from reaching the 3,000 career dash win threshold. Switzer Jr. is loaded for bear tomorrow (Saturday) with 8 programmed drives.
Saturday’s (June 17) program carries 12 races, and features two $14,684 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies, carded as races one and nine.
The wagering menu always includes a 50 cent trifecta in every race, as well as the standard collection of lucrative wagers with low 16% takeouts scattered throughout the card.
Cumberland will offer Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all the pertinent wagering options every Saturday.
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.
June 15, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, ME – Josie Hall is no stranger to harness racing. Having been married to trainer/driver Aaron Hall for the last five years, the daily routine of the Standardbred is quite familiar. However, the title ‘Josie Hall: Horse Owner,’ is something completely new and exciting for the life-long Maine resident.
“It all started when our racing partner Mike McGee was looking for a horse to race this summer in Maine,” noted the 30-year-old pre-school teacher from the quaint, small town of Gardiner. That’s when they contacted bloodstock agent Marc Reynolds.
Always on the lookout for new horses, Reynolds found a maiden New York-bred filly racing in Delaware with Andrew Stafford. Unraced last year at two, and now three with eight starts this season, it was evident to her previous owners that she may benefit from a softer landing spot.
Enter the Halls and their partner McGee who jumped at the chance to acquire Jazzville. A well-bred Huntsville sophomore, she was a $60,000 yearling purchase in 2021.
Josie Hall with her new filly Jazzville (Aaron Hall photo)
“Mike asked if I would like to be a partner on Jazzville and I immediately said yes,” Josie recalled. “I go to the races all time, and I love to support my husband when he catch drives and races the horses from our stable. I thought this would be a fun way to get more actively involved.”
The filly arrived at the Hall’s stable on Monday and was out on the track first thing Tuesday morning. “She’s a nice filly, perfect size for a half-mile track. She pops along with two fingers,” noted Aaron Hall. “I have been jogging her lightly since she arrived. But we’re going to have Josie go with her next week.”
Mrs. Hall certain knows her way around the barn and can drive a pitchfork with the best of them. Of course, Josie and Aaron Hall are high school sweethearts that have been together for the last fifteen years, so being immersed in the horse business was not really an option for the former High School Basketball star. But, this will be the first time that Josie has owned one of her own.
“Don’t get too attached,” her husband joked, “we have a partner.” But McGee is more than just a partner. He and Aaron are good friends and have owned horses together for quite some time. In fact, McGee was the best man at the Halls’ wedding in 2018.
Aaron Hall with his wife Josie following his 500th career victory last month (Deb Paterson photo).
All the Halls stable in Gardiner where their barn of 18 houses stock for Aaron and Josie, as well as his father Craig, brother Ryan Hall and step brother Jason Bertolini. One could bet that all the Halls will be ‘striking up the band’ when their newest stable-mate makes her debut on Saturday.
Josie Hall and Mike McGee’s Jazzville (5-2) drew post two in the $4,000 maiden pace on Saturday (June 17) with her hubby listed as both trainer and driver. Slated as race 11, there are six distaffs in the race, with the morning line favorite McSizzla (post one, Andy Harrington) listed at 7-5. Trained by Sara Harrington, she is the only 4-year-old in the field. Ironically, a filly by the name of Bet On Jozie (6-1, Bruce Ranger) occupies post five. Could this be an omen? Only time will tell.
Racing starts for the weekend at Cumberland on Friday (June 16) with a packed 13-race program. The feature kicks things off with a $6,000 conditioned pace, led by Bush Man N (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) scoring from post three, and followed closely in the trackman’s selections by Nagle (3-1, Dan Deslandes, post 5). Getting some post relief this week is Call Me Maverick (4-1, Mike Stevenson, post 2) a former Maine Sires Stakes champion and a proud graduate of the Gordon Corey Institute of Equine Erudition. Alison Hynes will check him up.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. is tied for second place in the drivers’ standings, and is currently at 2,997 wins lifetime going into the Friday-Saturday programs. The local trainers must also be feeling the excitement build toward the latest Cumberland driver milestone as Switzer Jr. has 19 mounts over the weekend’s 25 scheduled races.
Two divisions of ‘Learn and Earn’ baby races will be held before Friday’s card starting at 1:15 pm. The races go for $200 each and give the youngsters a chance to get behind the gate before their freshmen Maine Sire Stakes divisions start in earnest in early July.
Saturday’s (June 17) program carries 12 races, and features two $14,684 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies, carded as races one and nine.
The wagering menu always includes a 50 cent trifecta in every race, as well as the standard collection of lucrative wagers with low 16% takeouts scattered throughout the card.
Cumberland will offer Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all the pertinent wagering options every Saturday.
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.
June 11, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Something Bettor A didn’t let something like a broken headpole interfere with his first victory on Maine soil this season, as Ron Cushing valiantly steered his charge to triumph in the $5,500 featured conditioned pace at Cumberland on Saturday (June 10).
The Aussie-bred 6-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight had to get around a couple of leavers; Ry’s Red Rocket (Mark Athearn) who owned pylon starting position, and Grand Gallop Semalu (Dan Deslandes) who rushed out to grab the two hole from post six. Following a move just past the paddock draw gate, it started out as a routine afternoon stroll around the fairgrounds circuit for the heavily favored Something Bettor A.
After a swift 28 second opening panel, Cushing was able to control the tempo and get a 58.2 breather going to the half. Deslandes pulled Grand Gallop Semalu first over heading into a 1:27 third stanza, challenging Cushing for the lead. As Cushing’s Something Bettor A dug in through the final turn, and perhaps got ‘up in the riggin’ during battle, the racing halter ring failed and the head pole became unattached from the horse’s bridle.
Unfazed and unfettered while pacing down the stretch with the ‘inside’ headpole hanging sideways toward the pylons, the pair cruised to victory in 1:56.2 to take the opener by two lengths. Trained by Heidi Gibbs and owned by Cushing with Kevin Sywyk, it was the tenth victory of Something Bettor A’s career. He paid $2.40 to win as the 1-5 public choice. Ry’s Red Rocket finished second; Art Of Endurance (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was a late closing third.
The Cumberland-based, husband and wife team of Mark and Gretchen Athearn got their first win of the Cumberland season with their own Mouthpiece, taking the $4,800 conditioned trot in 2:00. Mark Athearn drove the 8-year-old Maine-bred son of Noble Venture to his 30th career victory, paying $12.40 to win in the wire-to-wire score. Gretchen Athearn owns and trains the lifetime winner of $224,656.
Kevin Switzer Jr. moved closer to his 3,000 win benchmark, taking three races on the day’s program. The local reinsman is now just 12 scores away from that career driving threshold. After Switzer Jr., eight different drivers enjoyed victories on ‘Belmont Day.’ Bruce Ranger continues to lead all drivers with 29 wins, followed by Switzer and Nick Graffam who are tied for second with 26. The meet’s leading conditioner remains Chris Lefebvre with 17 wins.
Racing resumes Friday (June 16) featuring the Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old pacing fillies. The Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes will make over a dozen stops at the Southern Maine oval over the course of the next few months. Established in 1972 by the 108th Maine Legislature, the program is now enjoying its 51st year of producing and promoting the competition of Maine bred and sired Standardbreds.
Every Saturday throughout the summer Cumberland will host racing from Belmont or Saratoga, culminating with the Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day (Aug. 5) and a ‘Hambo’ hat giveaway.
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.
June 10, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland *(Stephanie Gray photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Trotter Muscle Gene took the $5,500 top trot at Cumberland on Friday (June 9) afternoon, winning his second start in row at the Southern Maine oval. In keeping with previous statements, the horse has done nothing but improve since arriving back in the Pine Tree State in mid-May.
When the wings folded on the Wes Brown starting gate owner/driver Ron Cushing was content to let the ‘leavers leave’ and take a seat in the middle of the pack. Me Three (Kevin Switzer Jr.) took the early lead with Thruway (Shawn Thayer) immediately pulling and re-taking command before the 29.2 opening panel.
As the field settled in to round the second turn Thruway (12-1) continued to set the pace with Me Three (6-1) second, Warrawee Preferred (Wally Watson, 12-1) was up close in third with Cushing and Muscle Gene (7-5) sitting comfortably in fourth position. As soon as the field got to the head of the stretch heading to the half Me Three went off stride and left the course. With the remaining combatants stretched out past the 59.3 half mile marker, Dave Ingraham pulled first over with Midnight Zette (2-1).
Following the third turn Ingraham had ranged up enough to flush the cover of Cushing and Muscle Gene who pulled at the head of the backstretch going into a 1:29.2 third quarter. Stacked up around the final turn with Thruway’s lead diminishing, Muscle Gene trotted powerfully to the front and never looked back.
Tripping the timer in 2:00.1, the 5-year-old son of Musclesprinctonian paid $4.80 to win. Trained by Heidi Gibbs, wife and partner of owner/driver Ron Cushing, it was the eleventh victory of the horse’s career, and equaled his seasonal best clocking. Midnight Zette closed swiftly to be second; Warrawee Preferred was third.
Another local horse with his second win in a row was See You Friday, who did just that. Driven by Bruce Ranger for trainer Chris Lefebvre, the 9-year-old son of Western Terror took the overland route to take the featured $6,000 conditioned pace in 1:56.3. Second over at the half, while three-deep at the third panel, See You Friday saw his connections in the winner’s circle of both Maine racetracks in a span of ten days. Owned by Michelle Lefebvre, it was the 22nd win of his career, and he paid $9.40. Call Me Maverick (Mike Stevenson) finished second; Four Finger Floyd (Nick Graffam) was third.
In other news, Steve Wilson took the second race $4,400 trot with Muscle Star, a horse he co-owns with trainer Mike Cushing. Paying $18.40 to win from post seven, it was a ‘blanket’ photo finish for place with Mo Mo Fashion, J-S For Justice and Foxy Trottin Stick were inches apart. The 7-year-old son of Muscle Hill demonstrated, in more ways than one, that sometimes ‘back class’ prevails.
Nick Graffam had three wins on the program. Bruce Ranger had a pair of victories, both trained by leading conditioner Chris Lefebvre. All source wagering exceeded $160,000 for the afternoon card, which was double the amount bet on the same date last year.
Saturday’s (June 10) program carries 11 races, and is highlighted by the $1,500,000 Belmont Stakes. The track offers Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all of the relevant wagering choices, which will continue throughout the summer. Every Saturday Cumberland will host racing from Belmont or Saratoga, culminating with the Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day (Aug. 5) and a Hambo hat giveaway.
The featured live race is the $5,500 top pace, with local favorite Ry’s Red Rocket (Mark Athearn) trying to get off the schneid from pylon position. Local betting options include a 50 cent trifecta on every race, as well as the usual assortment of exotic wagers with low 16% takeout scattered throughout the card.
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.
June 9, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Ron Cushing’s Muscle Gene has done nothing but improve since arriving back in the Pine Tree State in mid-May. Previously the trotter had been toiling in tougher conditioned events at Pocono and Plainridge for his owner/driver Cushing and his trainer Heidi Gibbs. Picking up checks and paying his way, but the winners circle was seemingly elusive.
That all changed when the horse came to Cumberland, where he has finished third, then second, and then was victorious over the course of his last three starts.
A 5-year-old son of Musclesprinctonian, his sire is hardly a household name, but hails from a family of Grand Circuit champions. Originally standing in Indiana, but now in Michigan, Musclesprinctonian is a son of the incomparable Muscle Hill. “Prince’s” dam is the Dan Patch and Hambletonian Oaks champion Broadway Schooner 3,1:53.3 ($885,933). This makes Musclesprinctonian a half-brother to Broadway Donna 3,1:51.1 ($1,434,735), a Breeders Crown champion and multiple Grand Circuit stakes winner.
Muscle Gene, already the winner of $96,277 lifetime, is from Musclesprinctonian’s second crop of just 12 foals, with the top three starters earning nearly $450,000 combined.
Will his royally-bred sire help Muscle Gene ascend to greater heights? Only time will tell. But Cushing has noticed the increased development of the horse, and feels that his recent maturity will only help.
“He really is coming into himself now,” noted Cushing. “Shaping up and filling out, he is a nice honest horse. He has gate speed, but we don’t really need to use it too much because he can trot home so strongly.”
“You don’t get paid at the three-eighths pole,” added Cushing with a laugh.
During Friday’s (June 9) 11 race program, Muscle Gene is leaves from pylon position in a field of seven that goes postward in race 8, which is also the start of the pick 4. Betting options also include a 50 cent trifecta, as well as the usual assortment of exotic wagers with low 16% takeout scattered throughout the card.
Saturday’s (June 10) program also carries 11 races, and runs concurrent with the $1,500,000 Belmont Stakes. The 155th renewal marks the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s world record and Triple Crown winning performance. Cumberland offers Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all the pertinent 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.
June 4, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Veteran amateur reinsman Todd Whitney boldly got Iwillmakeyousaywow into the Blue Seal Feeds winners circle at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (June 3) to celebrate his first seasonal victory in the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) race.
Whitney, a former national amateur driving champion, was not afraid to take in some of that good Southern Maine air as he sent even-money wagering favorite Iwillmakeyousaywow first over just past the quarter in 29.3. As the he continued to range up toward the leaders, Southern Terror (Benson Merrill) cutting the fractions, and Led Schneppelin (Jason Bertolini) in the pocket, Whitney’s head-strong steed was just a half-length off of the front at the 1:00 half.
Shortening his margin to a tight neck into a 1:29.3 third panel, the credentialed 11-year-old son of Manhardt continued to dig in through the final turn while at the throat latch of the equally distinguished leader, Southwind Terror. As the field entered the home stretch several fresh horses swarmed around the leader, but it was Whitney and Iwillmakeyousaywow that strode away and emerged victorious in 2:01.1 over the rain-soaked surface.
Owned and trained by James Heap, it was the 61st career victory for the lifetime winner of $451,578. Iwillmakeyousaywow paid $4.00 to win, while Meetmeatthedance (Derek Howes) finished second, and Southwind Terror hung on for third. The MADC is proudly sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
The $5,500 top trot of the day was captured by Broadway Giant in 2:02.3. Driven by Bruce Ranger for owner/trainer Ron Patoine, the 9-year-old son of Broadway Giant paid $5.20 to win in a coast-to-coast tour of the fairgrounds facility. Favorite Northern Skyway (Drew Campbell) was second; Inukchuck Chuck (Dave Ingraham) was third.
Wally Watson lit up the virtual tote board in his 1:59.2 score with De Chirico in the $5,500 top conditioned pace of the week. The 6-year-old son of So Surreal came first over at the half, and never looked back. Trained by Chris Lefebvre for owner Michelle Lefebvre, he paid $36.00 to win for the twelfth time in his career.
Leading driver Bruce Ranger had three wins on the card, and remains in first place in the drivers’ standings with 27 seasonal victories. Nick Graffam moved into the second spot with 23 victories over Kevin Switzer Jr. with 22. Chris Lefebvre is the leading trainer with 15 wins.
Next week, Cumberland will offer live viewing and wagering on the $1,500,000 Belmont Stakes from Belmont Park, which is located in the New York City borough of Queens. Saturday, June 10th marks the 155th 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 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s world record and Triple Crown winning performance. Cumberland will offer flats programs, as well as all of the fashionable wagering opportunities.
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.
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 21st 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 10th marks the 155th 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 50th 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.
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 155th 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 50th 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 14th 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.
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 500th 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.
