December 12, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Cumberland Raceway’s next to last weekend kicks off on Friday (Dec. 13) and has significant purse increases, due in large part to the second legs of over a dozen pop-up series divisions.

The first of three weekend cards carries nine races with five $6,000 divisions of TrackMaster rating or conditioned paces, with several of the filly and mare participants looking to repeat their visits to the winners circle.  In the $5,500 top F&M class, both Vel Miss Taylor (7-2, McGwire Sowers) and South St Dottie (5-2, Nick Graffam) come off of wins in that class and will look to keep early favorite Windydayatthebeach (9-5, Drew Campbell) at bay.

The action continues on Saturday (Dec. 14) with a 10-race card, which includes a $6,500 Winners Over Trot.  The early morning line favorite is Jax Spratt (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) who never looked back last week while leaving from pylon position.  Empereurthebest FR (3-1, Walter Case Jr.) and Inquiring Mind (7-2, Steve Wilson) are also coming off of wins last week.

There is also a $6,000 Winners Over Pace on Saturday, led by Varney (2-1, Nick Graffam) who has earned $66,160 this year and been 18 times 1-2-3 in 32 outings.  The second choice, and last week’s victor, is Sixfingerfreddie (3-1) who gave hot driver Drew Campbell his 6,000^th career victory. 

Sunday’s (Dec. 8) card boasts nine divisions of the various pop-up series, with purses ranging from $6,000 to $8,000 and the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club race.

On each of the three racing days the Pick 5 starts with the third race, continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 21, with a total of 12 entries to be paraded in front of their Maine fan base.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland

December 10, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Sizzling teamster Drew Campbell added another hat trick to his impressive win total on Monday (Dec. 9), taking another three races at Cumberland Raceway.  Fresh off his 6,000^th career driving win on Saturday, the Halifax, Nova Scotia-native continues to add more and more victories to his meet-leading total.

Sunday’s (Dec. 8) card was postponed due to inclement weather, and was raced on Monday (Dec. 9) with the previously programmed 11-race card, where Campbell had eight drives and picked right up where he left off.

In Race six, Drew ‘send em’ Campbell sent Miki De Vie right out for the lead from post five to capture the $6,000 conditioned pace in 1:56.1 by a neck over a fast-closing Tobins Burke (Andy Harrington).  The 4-year-old son of Always B Miki made every call a winning one and paid $3.00 for trainer Chris Lefebvre and owner MLefebvre Racing.  It was win number 6,001 for the orange-clad reinsman, who was not finished yet.

Campbell then took the $7,000 co-featured conditioned pop-up leg with Ranaldi in 1:57.1 for trainer-owner Dakota Niles.  The 5-year-old Maine-bred son of Western Maverick paid $4.80 for his off the pace score, defeating Drinka Beer (Andy Harrington) and Denver Seelster (Dave Ingraham), who finished second and third, respectively.

Coming right back in the finale, Campbell and Southwind Legend got shuffled back to last in the $5,000 pop-up series leg and swooped the field in the last half to prevail by a head in 1:59.  The 5-year-old Benson Merrill-trained son of Betting Line paid $12.60 for the score.  Maching Time (Walter Case Jr.) finished second; Skyful Of Lighters (Dave Ingraham) was third.

The other $7,000 co-featured conditioned pop-up leg was captured by Lexus With a View A in 1:57.  Driven by Nick Graffam for co-owner and trainer Jamie Gerard (with partner Strategic Racing Stable), the 10-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere grabbed his fourth seasonal victory, paying $9.20 to win.  Thinking Of Slim (Aaron Hall) finished second; Next Big Thing (Andy Harrington) was third.

The always exciting Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) race saw its president and charismatic leader Joe Burke cop his first win of the season, steering local fan favorite Bo Master to a head victory in 1:59 over the favored Easy As That and Todd Whitney.  The 10-year-old son of Sportsmaster went from pillar to post and paid $14.60 in the $4,000 event for owner Kori Deslandes and trainer Bob Marston.  As always, the MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine.

The duo of driver Steve Wilson and trainer Mike Cushing took home the daily double on Monday, scoring with Lucky Michael (2:01, $3.20) and Touch Of Character (1:59.1, $3.80), with both victories being on the front end.

For Lucky Michael, who is owned by Mike Graham and Mike Cushing, it was his fourth win of the season and first since the Farmington Fair in September.  For Touch Of Character, it was his second consecutive score, and seventh on the season, for owner Darrell Tibbetts.

Aaron Hall also picked up a pair of victories on the mid-day program, and trainer Benson Merrill harnessed a couple of winners.  After the 13 cards of Cumberland’s Winter Festival meet, Drew Campbell is the leading driver with 35 wins in 128 starts.  McGwire Sowers is second with 23 victories, and Walter Case Jr. rounds out the top three with 16 scores.  The meet’s leading conditioner is Autym Robinson with an impressive 13-12-6 in 52 starts.

Overall, the year’s leading driver is Kevin Switzer Jr. who leads the 2024 pack with 84 wins.  Drew Campbell is approaching fast with 77 wins, which puts him in second place per annum.  Walter Case Jr. is third with 56.

Racing resumes Friday (Dec. 13) with another three-day weekend of action continuing on Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 14 and 15).  The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 21, with a total of 12 entrants to be paraded in front of their Maine fan base.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland

December 7, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Veteran reinsman Drew Campbell skillfully secured lifetime driving victory number 6,000 on Saturday (Dec. 7) at Cumberland Raceway, winning three races overall on the mid-day racing program.  In the tenth race on the card Campbell fed Sixfingerfreddie racetrack from the start and never looked back, tackling the lofty threshold.

Winning races at nearly 20 percent, the native of Nova Scotia has been plying his trade in the states since the late 1980’s and has driven in over 30,000 races and earned over $21 million.  The benchmark victory came as the 57-year-old is poised to head south for the winter.

“I’m glad I got it done before the end of the year,” reacted the Winter Meet’s leading driver.  “It’s a lot of hard work.  My hats off to all the drivers that have way more wins than me.”

Members of Maine’s tight knit drivers colony were all on hand to congratulate one of their own on his career milestone.  Known as an assertive driver who likes to ‘send em,’ his white-pants-wearing colleagues were quick to have some fun with the good natured fellow.

“Wish Drew was a little more aggressive off the gate, otherwise he’d already have 10,000 wins, lol,” quipped Walter Case Jr. on one of the dozens of congratulatory posts that filled social media feeds shortly after his third win of the day.

Drew Campbell has literally been on fire since the winter meet began, racking up 32 wins with an .405 UDRS in just the last 12 racing dates.

“I have to thank the owners and trainers that have put their faith in me over the years,” Campbell stated. 

While he is grateful for the opportunities that have afforded him this significant accomplishment, he closed with “my parents would be proud.”

Campbell started his hat trick with Valyrian Steel (2:01, $2.40) in race four, then grabbed the eighth with Love Kitten (2:00.3, $7.60) and copped number 6,000 two events later with Sixfingerfreddie.  Trained and co-owned by Randy Bickmore (with Theresa Coulston) the 7-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight handily won the $6,000 co-featured Winners Over Pace in 1:58.2.  He paid $6.60 to win by 1-3/4 lengths over the favored Varney (Nick Graffam) who finished second.

The $6,000 co-featured Winners Over Trot was captured by Jax Spratt in 2:01.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Aaron Hall and owner Bill Phipps, the 4-year-old son of Devious Man grabbed his 13th seasonal victory, paying $8.60 to win.

Speaking of Walter Case Jr., the veteran pilot secured three wins of his own on the 11-race program, including: Outspoken Man (1:57.2, $5.80), Twin B Jays (1:57.2, $5.60) and Empereurthebest FR (2:00.1, $3.60) who gave trainer Jim Dunn his 500^th career training victory.

Sunday’s (Dec. 8) card has been cancelled due to inclement weather, and will be raced on Monday (Dec. 9) at the regular post time.  The postponed card boasts ten divisions of various pop-up series and the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club race.

Wagering options include the Pick 5 which starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the eighth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 21, with a total of 12 entries to be paraded in front of their Maine fan base.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – McGwire Sowers drove a grand slam of four winners on Friday (Dec. 6) at Cumberland Raceway, which also gave the ‘Rising Star’ his 1,000^th career victory.

The 24-year-old wasted little time getting hitting the four-digit threshold as he steered Wilbur Brown’s gray gelding Its Just Numbers to a wire-to-wire score in the opener, paying $5.00 to win.  Tripping the timer in 2:02.3 and winning by 2-1/4 lengths, Sowers had been waiting all week for his chance to get that seemingly elusive benchmark.

Going into last Sunday (Dec. 1) Sowers was at 999 wins and had ten drives, only to finish second and third a half dozen times. 

“It was nice to get the job done, finally,” noted the 2021 Monticello-Goshen USHWA Rising Star award winner. “I am thankful to all the trainers and owners that put their trust in me.  Now it’s on to the next one thousand!”

And roll on he did.  Following the winners circle presentation that honored his accomplishment where he was surrounded by his fellow drivers, girlfriend and trainer Autym Robinson, and other well-wishers, the New Brunswick-born reinsman racked up another three victories on the mid-day card.

Sowers scored with American Maverick (1:59.4, $14.40), and a pair for Robinson: Moonlightandroses (2:00.4, $3.40) and Shes A Sassy Beach (1:59.1, $3.60).

Raised in the Pine Tree State, McGwire Sowers drove his first race a dozen years ago when he was 12 at Cornish Trotting Park, and cut his teeth on the competitive Maine Fair Circuit while in his teens.

When he was not driving at the fairs, he was home in Woodstock (Maine) attending high school, as well as playing youth hockey.  When Sowers turned 18, he earned his high school diploma early and joined his father, Bo, to begin his driving career at Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland.

Rosecroft is where Sowers scored his first career pari-mutuel driving victory on March 11, 2018, with family-owned Terem Up Louie, who went off at 12-1 odds. It was a deep stretch battle and a crowded finish with Sowers out in front in 1:54.4.

Interestingly, McGwire’s mother Tammy Sowers won the second race with her own Pink Delight in Cumberland’s second race.  Driven by Dan Rawlings to a wire-to-wire score from post eight, the 5-year-old daughter of Huntsville blasted home in 1:59.4 to win by 3-3/4 lengths.  She paid $14.40 to win in her first start outside of Monticello since the Fryeburg Fair.

Nick Graffam enjoyed a pair of victories on the program, including a victory with their Norton Farm stable star South St Dottie in the $5,500 feature.  Trained by Mike Graffam for owner-breeder Jan Donaway, the 4-year-old daughter of Western Maverick won in 1:58.4 by 2 lengths, paying $14.40.  The former Maine Sire Stakes Champion now has $ 187,316 in lifetime earnings.

Drew Campbell now has 5,997 wins and has eight drives on the Saturday card, which features a $5,000 guaranteed Pick-5 beginning with race three. 

The feature is $6,000 Winners Over Pace, led by Varney (2-1, Nick Graffam) who has earned $64,660 this year and been 17 times 1-2-3 in 31 outings.  The second choice is Sixfingerfreddie (5-2, Drew Campbell) who won in 1:53.4 at Plainridge a few starts back.

Sunday’s (Dec. 8) card boasts ten divisions of the various pop-up series and the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club race.

On each of the three racing days, the Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 21, with a total of 12 entries to be paraded in front of their Maine fan base.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland

December 5, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Cumberland Raceway has added a third day to their Winter Festival schedule, with Friday racing beginning Dec. 6 and continuing for the next three weeks of December.  Racing Secretary Rob Pennington has written four series with two early legs and finals going for $10,000 each on the weekend of Dec. 21 and 22.  Due to the elevated purse offerings, the box was overflowing with entries which resulted in 12 divisions of the first preliminary leg with total purses exceeding $60,000.

Friday’s (Dec. 6) card has nine races with two $4,500 divisions of the TrackMaster series and a $5,500 featured fillies and mares pace, led by Windydayatthebeach (3-2, Drew Campbell).  The 4-year-old daughter of Downbytheseaside drops down from tougher Plainridge company for trainer Randy Bickmore.

The action continues on Saturday (Dec. 7) with an 11-race card, which includes a $6,000 Winners Over Trot.  The early morning line favorite is Motto (5-2, McGwire Sowers) who has earned $83,425 this season.  The second choice is Jax Spratt (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) who scores from pylon position. Chasing them will be two last start winners in Little Macabee (7-2, Drew Cambell) and Knight Angel (4-1, Aaron Hall).

Saturday’s card also carries a $6,000 Winners Over Pace, led by Varney (2-1, Nick Graffam) who has earned $64,660 this year and been 17 times 1-2-3 in 31 outings.  The second choice is Sixfingerfreddie (5-2, Drew Campbell) who won in 1:53.4 at Plainridge a few starts back.

Sunday’s (Dec. 8) card boasts ten divisions of the various pop-up series and the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club race.

On each of the three racing days, the Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 21, with a total of 12 entries to be paraded in front of their Maine fanbase.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland

December 3, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – For the fourth season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 21.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing or have retired within the last four years, and have Maine connections. 

Horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter and be featured in a half-page bio with photograph in the program.  Equine honorees must be present to participate.  This shall serve as the tracks ‘last call’ for entries.  Trainers or owners must ‘declare’ their horse by Dec. 4.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: [email protected].

First Tracks Cumberland has transitioned to a three-day weekend of racing, adding the Friday (Dec. 6) card, which compliments the Saturday (Dec. 7) and Sunday (Dec. 8) programs.  First post, 10:55 am.

The box for Saturday and Sunday closes on Wed. (Dec. 4) at 10 am.

Racing at Cumberland continues three days each weekend through December 22, 2024. 

For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

December 1, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Diminutive trotter Little Macabee made his Thanksgiving homecoming a memorable one, winning the $6,000 featured winners over trot at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (Nov. 30).

Scoring from pylon position, leading reinsman Drew Campbell was content to let Broadway Giant (15-1, Wally Watson) and High Gear No Fear (11-1, Nick Graffam) take the early lead while he took a seat in third with the 10-year-old son of Chapter Seven.

Watson and his charge led the field into a :29.1 opening panel under the bright, morning sun.  When the trotters turned to pass the stands going to the half, Campbell tipped Little Macabee to the outside and set his sights on the leaders into a 1:00.4 second stanza.  Nearing the three-quarter pole the ‘little horse that could’ was inching up on the outside, and by that 1:30.1 third panel was looking Broadway Giant right in the eye.

With the momentum in his favor and the heart of a lion, Little Macabee responded with a final surge down the lane and won handily in 2:01.4 by 1-1/2 lengths.

Trained and owned by the Skowhegan-based husband and wife team of Chad and Maryann Tompkins, it was Little Macabee’s sixth seasonal victory and 41^st in his lengthy career.  The win pushed his lifetime bankroll to $266,208, while he paid $6.00 to win.

High Gear No Fear finished a fast closing second; Broadway Giant hung on for third.

In other news, ‘Mighty’ McGwire Sowers picked up a driving grand slam on the 13-race program, two of which being harnessed by his girlfriend Autym Robinson.   The 24-year-old rising star is now at 999 wins lifetime and has a drive in all but three of thirteen races on Sunday (Dec. 1).  His victories included: Shes A Sassy Beach (1:59.3, $2.80), Perfect Bloom (2:00, $7.60), Vel Miss Taylor (2:00.3, $7.00) and Its Just Numbers (2:04.3, $15.40).

Who’s having more fun than 86-year-young harness racing trainer-driver-owner Bob Nadeau this holiday weekend?  Not only did his mare Azariya draw the rail two weeks in a row, but this week he grabbed his second consecutive victory right on the front end.  Scoring in 2:01 by 3-1/2 lengths, everyone’s favorite Octogenarian was all smiles in the winner’s circle where his supporters received a nice $6.00 win ticket to go with their Pumpkin Pie.  For the 4-year-old daughter of Lazarus N, it was her fifth win of the season, as well as the pilot’s.

The meet’s leading driver, Drew Campbell, had a pair of victories on the mid-day card which gives him 26 for the Winter Festival meet.  He is now at 5,994 lifetime, putting him just six wins away from the six grand threshold.  Sowers sits second in the standings with 18 victories, and Aaron Hall is third with 12.  Hall also enjoyed two trips to the Cumberland winner’s circle on Saturday.

The action continues on Sunday (Dec. 1) with a 13-race card of full fields, which includes a $5,500 conditioned pace and a $4,000 leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club with series leader Hunter Lofthus scoring from post six with 3-2 favorite Real Thing.

First Tracks Cumberland will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning, next week on December 6.  The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am. This is the last call for entries for our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 21, contact Chris Tully for more information.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland

November 29, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – This weekend’s 26-race Thanksgiving feast at Cumberland Raceway starts right off with the main course, as the $6,000 featured winners over trot is carded as the opener on Saturday (Nov. 30).

Leading the pack in the marquis event is Chad and Maryann Tompkins’ Little Macabee (9-5, Drew Campbell) who scores from pylon position.  Installed as the early morning line favorite, the 10-year-old son of the sport’s leading trotting sire Chapter Seven, the five-time seasonal winner has found a softer landing following his last three outings at Plainridge.  With 40 wins lifetime, the ‘little horse that could’ will be the one to catch.

Voted ‘most likely to upset’ is the 5-2 Jax Spratt (Aaron Hall) who has four wins in his last five starts.  The 4-year-old son of Devious Man has won nearly half of his 26 seasonal starts, and gets around his home track with ease.  Also in top form is French-bred trotter Empereurthebest FR (3-1, Walter Case Jr.), who hails from the Dunn stable and won his last two efforts by open lengths.  In fact, all but one of the entrants have taken a victory lap in their last two starts.

There is also a pair of $5,000 conditioned events, a trot and a pace, carded as races four and eleven respectively.  The fourth race trot sees Kimberly Vafiades’ Squable (9-5, Drew Campbell) seeking his second consecutive victory against this bunch.  The 6-year-old son of Trixton has five wins in 22 seasonal outings, with another nine second and third place finishes.  Owned by Jason Vafiades, the horse has missed one check in his last nine programmed lines.

Another French ex-pat Empire City FR (3-1, Benson Merrill) is moving up in class after a win last week and will try to take advantage of his early gate speed.

Two Maine-sired mares will renew their sophomore rivalry when the distaffs met in battle half a dozen times in last season’s pacing filly ranks.  South St Dottie (4-1, Nick Graffam) and Katelyn’s Angel (2-1, Aaron Hall) will face off once again in the $5,000 conditioned pace toward the latter part of the program.

The entire program has a lot of action for horse players with 10 of 13 events boasting full seven or eight horse fields.  The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

The action continues on Sunday (Dec. 1) with a 13-race card of full fields, which includes a $5,500 conditioned pace and a $4,000 leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club with series leader Hunter Lofthus scoring from post six with 3-2 favorite Real Thing.

First Tracks Cumberland will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning, next week on December 6.  The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 21.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland

November 25, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) was back in action on Sunday (Nov. 24) at Cumberland Raceway, with former national champ ‘Too Tough’ Todd Whitney blasting to a wire-to-wire victory with the odds-on favorite Nagle.

Under bright sunny skies with a brisk breeze the 1-2 public choice left swiftly when the gate sprung amidst a flurry of activity into the first turn.  After avoiding the fracas, Whitney and Nagle led the $4,000 MADC field into a :29.1 opening panel and remained in command by a comfortable margin.  Lilys Penelope (17-1, Joe Burke) tracked along in the two-hole, with Cache All The Way (7-1, Benson Merrill) sitting anxiously in third.

Merrill tipped Cache All The Way at the 3/8’s pole, with Bass Player (8-1, Marianna Monaco) gapping second over while heading to the 1:00 half-mile marker.  Around the 5/8’s turn, Merrill ducked into the gap left by a fading Lilys Penelope leaving Bass Player with no cover.  While moving to the 1:28.4 third panel Ryan Berry pulled 29-1 longshot Easteriffic three deep around the stalling outer flow and grabbed the three-hole before the leaders hit the final turn.

From the head of the stretch on homeward, Whitney was sitting chilly and steered Nagle to an easy three length victory in 2:00.1.  Trained by Chris Lefebvre for owner Mlefevre Racing LLC, the 8-year-old son of Dali grabbed his 34^th career victory.  He paid $3.00 to win.

Easteriffic got up in the final strides to be second; Cache All The Way was third.

The $5,500 featured conditioned pace was captured by Bare Bone in 1:59.1.  Driven by Walter Case Jr. for trainer Marianna Monaco and owner Room4040 LLC Stables, the 3-year-old son of Lather Up got the ninth win of his career.  He paid $3.40 to win.

Drew Campbell picked up another three wins on the mid-day card, inching ever closer to the 6,000 win threshold (now at 5,990).  Campbell scored with Twin B Jays (1:58, $2.60), the swiftest race of the day with Sherrif N (1:56.1, $2.80), and Miki De Vie (1:57.2, $3.60).

McGwire Sowers, Aaron Hall and Steve Wilson each grabbed a pair of victories, with Sowers approaching his own 1,000 win milestone, currently at minus five.

Racing resumes on Saturday (Nov. 30) as First Tracks Cumberland’s Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November.  Then, Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 6.  The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland

November 24, 2024 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Veteran trainer Mark Harris secured his 500^th career training victory on Saturday (Nov. 23) at Cumberland Raceway, grabbing a pair of races on the mid-day card with trending reinsman Drew Campbell at the controls.

Harris harnessed Excelant Chance in the $3,600 sixth race, a conditioned pace where Campbell held fast in the garden spot behind pacesetter Yes Oui Si (Nick Graffam) to tip out and the stretch and score by a measured length in 2:04.2 on the track rated ‘good.’

It was the 42^nd lifetime victory for the 11-year-old daughter of Mannart Howard, who owned by Dereck Robishaw, and gave Harris is 499^th career winner.  She paid $4.80 to win.

Fast forward to race 10 and Drew Campbell put Cash Crazy Express right on the engine in the $5,000 co-featured conditioned pace, where he set a snappy :28.1 opening panel to grab command and never looked back.  Cruising home in 2:03, the 8-year-old daughter of Art Major got her eighth seasonal victory for trainer Mark Harris and owner-daughter Kathryn Duran.  She paid $6.80 to win.

After the race ‘Katie’ was quick to share her Dad’s milestone on social media, “My father has been training horses for 20+ years and it’s amazing to see his hard work and dedication pay off by reaching this outstanding accomplishment!  My dad has been doing what he absolutely loves, and that’s being with his horses every single day. I’m very proud of you dad and love you so much!”

Harris has 42 victories this season, which is his best seasonal total since 2009 when he had 43.  Born in Dover, Maine, the 61-year-old conditioner has harnessed the winners of over $1.8 million since 2004.  Mark Harris, and his wife Gayle, reside in Bangor.

Walter Case Jr. drove the French-bred trotter Empereurthebest FR to an easy 2:08 open lengths victory for trainer Jim Dunn and owner Stanley Bubier Jr.  He paid $4.00 to win for the 18^th time in his career in the $5,000 co-featured conditioned trot.  Case grabbed a driving double on the card with Moonlightandroses (2:01.4, $2.80).

Driver Nick Graffam had a hat trick on the program with Granny’s Girl (2:03, $6.80), High Gear No Fear (2:04, $13.60) and his stable’s Maine Sire Stakes star South St Dottie (2:02.3, $5.00).

Two older stars made their way to the winners circle on Saturday as well.  14-year-old pacer Rockin Rambaran won the 12^th race for Team Watson.  Driven by Wally Watson for owner-trainer Lisa Watson, the son of Rambaran is slated to participate in Cumberland’s Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies on Dec. 21.  He paid $9.60 for the neck victory over Cutter Loose (Aaron Hall) in 2:03.4.

In addition, everyone’s favorite Octogenarian Bob Nadeau (age 86) copped the finale with his own Azariya in 2:02.4.  Sitting a perfect two-hole trip behind 2-5 favorite Vel Stormy (McGwire Sowers, age 24), the 4-year-old Lazurus N mare got up to win by a half-length and paid $6.20.  It was both horse and driver’s fourth win of the season.

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 24) with a 12-race card of full fields, which includes a $5,500 conditioned pace and a $4,000 leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club with series leader Hunter Lofthus scoring from post seven with Hunting Angels.

First Tracks Cumberland’s Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting enjoys weekend action throughout the month of November.  Then, Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 6.  The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on Facebook: @FirstTracksCumberland