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/

May 12, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – While driver Kevin Switzer Jr. may have had the hot hands, winning three races on the Friday (May 12) program at Cumberland, all eyes were on Bruce Ranger after the seventh race as over forty of his fellow drivers, trainers, family, friends and local horse people surrounded the hometown hero in recognition of his recent 10,000 win milestone.

The Maine faithful were all too happy to congratulate the affable reinsman, who became just the nineteenth driver of all time to eclipse a five figure win total.  Mike Cianchette of First Tracks Cumberland and Mike Cushing of the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association were just two of the throngs of well-wishers in an overflowing winner’s circle presentation.

Ranger is member of both the New England and the Florida USHWA Halls of Fame, and cites Cumberland as his ‘home track’ having trained his first miles there as a youngster while growing up on his family’s nearby Norton Farm. 

Because of Ranger’s lifetime dedication to harness racing and his considerable accomplishments in the sport, First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association are pleased to announce that May 26 & 27 will be known as ‘Bruce Ranger Weekend’ at the historic southern Maine oval.  Giveaways, a special color program insert, interviews and autograph sessions featuring Bruce Ranger will highlight the holiday weekend’s festivities. 

Switzer Jr. got his hat trick aboard Easteriffic (2:00.1, $8.80); Mister Muscle (2:00, $6.40) and Paternity Suit A (1:56.1, $3.60) who is co-owned by Plainridge publicist Tim Bojarski. 

Friday’s $6,500 co-features were captured by Lydia’s Liberty (1:54.4, $9.40, Dan Deslandes) which was just 2/5 off the track record for pacing mares, and Osprey Delta (2:01.2, $5.80, Mike Stevenson) taking the top trot.

Andrew Harrington picked up two wins on the program, both of which are trained by his wife Sara Harrington.  Nick Graffam won the finale putting his lifetime dash win total at 996.

Racing continues with Saturday’s (May 13) program, which carries ten races and includes the $6,500 winners over pace.  The wagering menu always offers a 50 cent trifecta in every race and kicks off with a 50 cent pick 5.   In addition, there is a pair of 20 cent superfectas (races 4 and 6), a 50 cent pick 4 (starts race 7) and the final race delivers our 20 cent pentafecta (super high five) with a low 16% takeout.  Post time is 3:15 pm.   

Looking ahead, the Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course will be available on Saturday (May 20), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

In addition to next week’s regularly scheduled programming on Friday and Saturday (May 19 & 20), live harness racing continues at Cumberland next weekend 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/

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

–30–

May 11, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Several weeks ago Bruce Ranger was asked when he may reach his historic 10,000 harness racing wins plateau.  Like a wise soothsayer he replied, “It will probably happen at Plainridge.”  While sitting at 9,997 and with a full dance card on Tuesday (May 9) at the Bay State oval, Ranger went to work.  Sure enough, the Maine-native reinsman took matters into his own hands, literally, and won the second, fourth and sixth races at Plainridge to become just the nineteenth driver in the storied history of the sport to reach a five figure dash win total.

“You can’t really plan when it will happen,” Ranger stated after the fact.  “In all honesty you just have to take it a race at a time.”

The popular 63-year-old pilot recognizes that it all comes down to good mounts.

“I got into a good rhythm with some good horses and things just seemed to go my way,” Ranger recalled about his day in the spotlight.  “We can’t plan these things. Sometimes you get a cold spell or get pushing too hard, and it doesn’t work out.  That day I was just on a roll.”

On a roll indeed, following his milestone in the sixth race, Ranger came right back to win number 10,001 in the seventh.  And such is the life of much sought-after catch driver.  A member of both the New England and the Florida USHWA Halls of Fame, Ranger shows no signs of slowing down as he has eight drives on Friday (May 12) at Cumberland.

Following the seventh race on Friday, Ranger will be recognized for his recent milestone by both First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association in a winner’s circle presentation, while surrounded by his fellow New England reinsmen.

In addition, First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association are pleased to announce that Friday (May 26) and Saturday (May 27) will be known as Bruce Ranger Weekend at the historic southern Maine oval.  Giveaways, a special color program insert, interviews and autograph sessions featuring Bruce Ranger will highlight the holiday weekend’s festivities.  Stay tuned for additional information.

This Friday’s (May 12) 11 race program includes three races with purses of $6,000 or higher, and includes a 50 cent trifecta in every race and kicks off with a 50 cent pick 5.   In addition, there is a pair of 20 cent superfectas (races 4 and 7), 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 13) program carries ten races, and includes the featured $6,500 winners over pace, with post time for both days set at 3:15 pm.   

Speaking of milestones, Nick Graffam is just 5 victories away from reaching his 1,000 career victory plateau, and has many mounts this weekend. 

Looking ahead, the Preakness Stakes is back on Saturday (May 20), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

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/

May 7, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The impatience of youth is not lost on Jason Bertolini, as the 26-year-old reinsman took the overland route to capture the season’s first Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) Race at Cumberland on Saturday (May 6) with Bailey’s Legacy.

As the seven horse field entered the first turn, Bertolini got away third, while veteran pacer Putnam’s Storm (age 14) set the pace from pylon position, who was driven by Bob Nadeau (85).  Getting away second and gapping that cover was Rest Assured (David Zuckerman).  The opening panel was in 29.4, and Bertolini noticed the loose lead carried by the leader.  The pair wasted little time getting into action, as Bertolini pulled Bailey’s Legacy first over at the three-eighths marker. 

While the half was in a dramatically reduced 1:01.4, the pace hastened as Nadeau felt the pressure from his younger opponent and let out a notch to reach the three-quarters in 1:30.1 (28.2) and the pair were neck-and-neck heading into the final turn.

As the stretch opened up Bertolini was able to grind past the pacesetter and win by a tight half-length in 2:01.3.  Putnam’s Storm hung on gamely to be second; Rest Assured was along for the ride to be third.

Following the MADC’s seasonal opener, Bertolini was his usual humble self, stating: “The trainer did a great job making sure he was ready to go.  I just did my job and it all worked out.  Putnams Storm raced great too, especially going 28.2 down the back side.”

Owned and bred by Bruce Inch, the 6-year-old Maine-sired son of Western Maverick is trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing.  Bailey’s Legacy paid $8.00 to win.

In other news, Walter Case Jr. picked up a natural hat trick, winning the fourth, fifth and sixth races on the Derby Day program.  The first was with Virtual Success (1:58.3, $6.00), then the co-featured $6,500 winners over pace with Adriano Hanover (1:54.4, $9.60) who is the current all-age track record holder.  Finally, Moonshinecharleigh (1:59, $7.60) gave the winner of 11,235 races lifetime his three-sweep.

Bruce Ranger took the $6,500 winners over trot with Inukchuck Chuck (1:59.4, $11.60) and is now at 9,994 lifetime victories.  The veteran pilot is just six wins away from the 10,000 win benchmark, as the ‘Ranger-10k-Watch’ continues. 

Drew Campbell won two races on the afternoon program, and Nick Graffam picked up another to put his current tally at 994.  Graffam is also six scores shy from reaching his personal plateau, the 1,000^th victory of his career.

With Drew Campbell’s deuce the reinsman ascended into first place with 14 seasonal victories at Cumberland, Ranger is second with 13, and Graffam is third with 12.  Chris Lefebvre also had a pair of victories, and continues to lead all trainers with ten wins.

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 6, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Bruce Ranger added another score to his lofty win total, taking the $6,000 Fillies and Mares Winners Over Pace at Cumberland on Friday (May 5) with Go Sandy Go.

The Maine-native got every call as the pair skipped through opening fractions of 28.3 and 58.2 with little, to no pressure.  As the field passed the five-eighths marker, driver Mark Athearn was the first to apply pressure with Ry’s Red Rocket, while Pembroke Ali (Heath Campbell) sat chilly in the pocket.  Lydia’s Liberty (Kevin Switzer Jr.) found cover second over, and with the third stanza timed in 1:26.3, it was evident that the leader had stepped on the accelerator.

With Switzer Jr.’s cover stalling he was forced to send Lydia’s Liberty three deep around the final turn and took aim at Ranger and the even-money favorite, Go Sandy Go.  The wire arrived just in time as the pacesetters prevailed by a diminishing half-length in 1:56.3.

Trained by Benson Merrill for owners John Kiernan Jr., Thelma Kiernan and Lauren Merrill, the 8-year-old daughter of Roddy’s Bags Again picked up her second win of the four-week meet.  Go Sandy Go paid $4.20 to win.  Pembroke Ali hung on for third.

Ranger is now just seven wins away from the 10,000 win benchmark, as the ‘Ranger-10k-Watch’ continues. 

Not to be outdone, Nick Graffam scored a hat trick on the afternoon card winning the daily double with Woody’s Cash Crop (1:57.3, $9.20) and Sixby Hanover (1:57.3, $10.00), both of which came from the family’s Norton Farm, trained by his dad Mike Graffam.  Nick came back to win the sixth race with Bay Brute (1:57, $4.80), and ironically, is just seven scores shy from notching his 1,000^th career victory.

Drew Campbell picked up a driving double, which put him in a 12-win tie with Bruce Ranger for bragging rights at the iconic Southern Maine oval.  Nick Graffam is now in third place with eleven victories.  Trainers Mike Graffam and Benson Merrill each got a pair of wins.  Chris Lefebvre leads all conditioners with eight wins.

Both of the popular red, gold and black-clad reinsmen (Ranger and Graffam) will be busy on Saturday’s (May 6) Derby Day program, which carries ten races and includes both the co-featured $6,500 winners over pace and $6,500 winners over trot.  Post time is 3:15 pm.  In the 50 cent Pick 5 beginning with the opener, there is a $794.05 carryover, which carries a low 16% takeout.

Kentucky Derby action and the entire card from Churchill Downs is on tap with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. 

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/