April 15, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Dan Deslandes and his father, trainer Jeff Deslandes, took Cumberland by storm and won four of the nine races on Friday’s (April 14) opening day program at the iconic Southern Maine oval.

Looking back to last week, when the Deslandes Family loaded up their trailer for the initial qualifiers and shipped down east from the Bangor area, it was evident that their horses were ready to race.  With twelve Standardbreds on board, they help fill the entry box, and in turn, won the first three out of four events.  Truly a family affair, Dan’s wife Kori is also on the team and helps get their large contingent of horses ready to race in the paddock.

Fast forward to opening day and it was like déjà vu all over again.  Deslandes, Inc. had eight horses in to go, and once again, came to town ready to rumble.

Driver Dan Deslandes wasted little time finding the Blue Seal Winners Circle, sending Pay Later right to the top from post five in race one, a place he is very comfortable.  While setting the tempo, Deslandes didn’t have an anxious moment until the wire where Perfect Force (Gary Mosher) tried to steal the show but fell short by a nose.  Winning in 1:57.3, the 13-year-old son of Western Terror paid $8.20 to win.  Owned by Moo Coo Inc., he is trained by Jeff Deslandes.

The Deslandes clan also scored in race five with SG Alexia ($4.40), and finished one-two in race six with Mighty American N (Dan Deslandes) and Scouts Report (Bruce Ranger).  Scoring from pylon position, the 11-year-old son of American Ideal never had a horse in front of him and drew off to win by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:58.  Owned by Ron Dinsmore, Mighty American N paid $7.20 to win.

Ten Beaches Later won the finale for the Deslandes Clan, holding on to win by a neck over P L Pasquale (Kevin Switzer Jr.) in 1:58.1.  Also owned by Moo Coo Inc., he paid $3.00 to win.  All told, the Deslandes’ had four wins, a second, and a fourth place finish.  Seven checks from eight starters, which is a pretty good day by any calculation.

When reach for comment about his ‘Grand Slam Afternoon’ Dan Deslandes stated, “Four wins makes for a fun day at work.  But honestly, I’m just happy to be back racing and especially driving horses. As with everyone, it takes a team to get the horses ready. I’m just a small piece of the puzzle.”

The all-source wagering handle hit $119,000 for Cumberland’s opening day, which was up from $108,000 last year on the same date with 12 races programmed.

Saturday’s (April 15) card welcomes two Winners Over $10,000 handicaps vying for $6,000 in purse money, one for each gait.  The fifth race has an Ohio invader, McStoned Again (Kevin Switzer Jr., 8-5), making a significant class drop to be assigned the outside post position for the diagonally gaited set.  For the pacers in race seven, Lexus Witha View A (Kevin Switzer Jr., 1-1) also emanated from the Buckeye State and will look to grab this one having found a much softer landing Down East.

Saturday’s card features ten races with post time at 3:15 pm.

Horsemen are reminded to check the condition sheet for our two ‘Spring Fling’ late closing series, to be raced the weekend of April 21 & 22.  The Track Master Rating conditioned events vie for an impressive $15,000 and $20,000 final purse respectively, the following weekend.  A complete condition sheet for the upcoming series is available on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post remains 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

April 13, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – When Race Secretary Rob Pennington opened the box for Cumberland’s opening weekend, he was pleased to find over 150 horses had been dropped in for the double draw for Friday & Saturday (April 14 & 15).

“We had anticipated robust interest, and we were not disappointed,” noted Pennington.

Presiding Judge Charles Malia echoed those sentiments, “These guys are eager race after being off for the last three months.  Saturday’s qualifiers were strong, which is always a good indicator of preparedness.”

While Pennington, and his new assistant race secretary/charter Andrew Topham, sorted through the myriad of entries, one thing was abundantly clear, “Overall, the racehorses entered represent a large group of dedicated Maine horse people.” Certainly with over forty different conditioners represented, the Spring opener has brought the Pine Tree State faithful back to Cumberland.

Friday’s (April 14) card features nine races on the program, with every event carrying a full field of either seven or eight horses with their noses on the Wes Brown starting gate.  The co-featured events of the day are the fourth and seventh races, both $4,800 conditioned paces.

The fourth, for Fillies and Mares, pits Patajali N (Bruce Ranger, 5-2) against Electrocuted (Dan Deslandes, 2-1), who score from posts one and two respectively.  Both mares earned nearly $55,000 last season with a combined win total of 37 lifetime.

Race seven sees the boys version of the non-winners of $2,500 last 5 back to the fairgrounds, with Lovethewayyoulie (Aaron Hall, 2-1) leading the charge with $33,921 earned in 2022.  Second choice is Jo Pa’s Sweet Lout (Wally Watson, 4-1) who was 1-2-3 in 14 of 32 outings last season.

Fans and punters that attend Friday’s opener and buy a program on-track, will receive a free program for Saturday.

Saturday’s (April 15) card welcomes two Winners Over $10,000 handicaps vying for $6,000 in purse money, one for each gait.  The fifth race has an Ohio invader, McStoned Again (Kevin Switzer Jr., 8-5), making a significant class drop to be assigned the outside post position for the diagonally gaited set.  For the pacers in race seven, Lexus Witha View A (Kevin Switzer Jr., 1-1) also emanated from the Buckeye State and will look to grab this one having found a much softer landing Down East.

Saturday’s Card features ten races with post time for both days at 3:15 pm.

Horsemen are reminded to check the condition sheet for our two ‘Spring Fling’ late closing series, to be raced the weekend of April 21 & 22.  The Track Master Rating conditioned events vie for an impressive $15,000 and $20,000 final purse respectively, the following weekend.  A complete condition sheet for the upcoming series is available on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue 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.

There are 11 qualifying races slated for Saturday, April 8. First Post 11 am.

PROGRAM

March 24, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME — First Tracks Cumberland is pleased to announce that the initial qualifying races slated for Saturday (April 8) will be broadcast live on the Race Track Network (RTN).  The action starts at 11 a.m. (EDT) in a little over two weeks. 

Horsemen should declare by 9 am on Friday (April 7).  Horses that have a clean line from November 15, 2022 or after are NOT required to qualify through the first three weekends of racing (until April 29).  Beginning with the draw for the May 5^th program, the 45-day rule goes back into effect.

Race Secretary Rob Pennington stated, “I am excited to join the First Tracks team, and I am hoping to bring positive changes that benefit both horsemen and the track.  Good luck and safe trips around the oval.”

Pennington is also pleased to provide for two ‘Spring Fling’ late closing series, which is set to begin on April 21 & 22.  The Track Master Rating conditioned events race for an impressive $15,000 and $20,000 final purse respectively, the following weekend.  A complete condition sheet for the upcoming series is available on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

In addition to the live RTN broadcast, qualifiers will also be streamed via the internet live (free) on our website.  Click on live racing/video replays.  The live racing icon in the player box will be enabled. 

First Tracks Cumberland will remain on RTN channel 9747 this season.  Race fans and horsemen can also go to: www.rtn.tv

Opening day for First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet is April 14, with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) throughout the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.

Cumberland will have a special guest announcer for the opening qualifiers.

For additional racing information, sign up the for First Tracks Cumberland text messaging service.  On a web browser, go to the following link: https://eztxt.s3.amazonaws.com/777323/widgets/6084704675f167.16040906.html

December 29, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine horse people raised $3,000 on behalf of Futures For Standardbreds and presented the funds to the New England-based aftercare organization on Monday’s (Dec. 27) final day of racing at First Tracks Cumberland.

It all started rather innocently for Mary Beth Ranger, the wife of leading New England reinsman Bruce Ranger.

“I noticed a lot of returnable bottles and cans being thrown into trash cans in the paddock at the track,” noted the registered nurse and horse trainer.  “I asked the management of First Tracks if we could start a bottle drive as a benefit, and they happily agreed.”

And so the ambitious task began during the spring racing season, which started simply as collecting the five cent returnable bottles and cans from the paddock.  With the yeoman’s work of Maine horseman Craig Coffin, receptacles and requests for recyclable separation spread throughout the tight-knit Maine horsemen’s community.

“The project took on a life of its own.  Before we knew it, we were overwhelmed with donated bottles and cans, in addition to what Craig collected in the paddock,” Mary Beth Ranger recalled.  “Then First Tracks agreed to match whatever money we could raise.”

Ranger continued, “People at the fairs would say, ‘Hey Mary Beth, we left a bag of cans by your horse trailer.’  It really was a community effort.  My neighbor Judd Merrill had an entire stall full, and said, ‘please take them all.’  Wally Watson, Adam Gray and Kim Ireland were also instrumental in providing additional loads of drink canisters.”

Craig Coffin, a proud member of the ‘Green Wave’ and former caretaker for the William R. Haughton Stable, was an integral part of the collection process.  Providing and cleaning the saddle pads for each race card at Cumberland, Coffin utilized his truck to haul an ever-growing stream of returnable bottles and cans, and assisted in the collection of the items in the paddock.  Coffin, also an identifier and track crew member at several of Maine’s pari-mutuel fairs, helped facilitate the summer-time assemblage.  Along with a host of other horse people who also gathered large parcels of recyclables for the group, the resultant mountain of plastic and aluminum objects was a testament to the dedication of equine enthusiasts throughout the Pine Tree State.

 “About half way through Craig [Coffin] thought we should keep the money in Maine, so we selected Futures For Standardbreds (FFS) as our beneficiary.  Word got out that we were collecting on behalf of the retired racehorses and other tracks got on board.  Paddock Judge Brenda Brown set up a receptacle at Bangor’s historic Bass Park.” 

Helping the retirees was something everyone in harness racing could personally relate with.  Cumberland’s Au Revior Retirement Showcase attracted 18 horses this year, and all the Maine horse people look forward to honoring their favorite storied racehorses.   FFS was a perfect match for their year-long efforts. 

Futures For Standardbreds was founded in 2014 with a mission of retraining and rehoming Standardbred racehorses.   The organization works with horse owners and trainers who want to ensure that their horses have the opportunity to transition into pleasure horses and enjoy a comfortable life after racing.

Ann Ewing, one of the many active volunteers for the program, noted, “Since our inception, we have rehomed close to 75 horses.  We are fortunate that Robyn Cuffey, our executive director and founder, has a lifetime of experience with Standardbreds and has authored books on the retraining process.”

Futures For Standardbreds is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization based in Southern Maine.

Ewing continued, “We are grateful to First Tracks for their generosity and willingness to match the horse people’s bottle drive funds.”

All told the local trainers, drivers, owners and caretakers had collected some $1,500 worth of 5¢ returnable bottles and cans, that otherwise would have ended up in the landfill.  That is 30,000 individual items!  This amount was matched by First Tracks Cumberland, and with the raceway’s check for $1,500, brought the total donation to $3,000.

Impressed by their efforts, and pleased with the results, First Tracks CEO Mike Cianchette was on hand to present the funds to Mary Beth Ranger on behalf of the Cumberland Racetrack.  “We always like to support the initiatives that the horsemen undertake,” Cianchette stated.  “Whether it is food donations for the local community, or supporting our retired Standardbreds, we know that their efforts are helping the people of Southern Maine, as well as organizations in need.  It is our pleasure to participate.”

Racing will resume in April 2023 at First Tracks Cumberland, which will likely reignite the bottle and can collection efforts.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

December 27, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Mike Stephenson and Matt Athearn stuck around for the season’s final day of harness racing at Cumberland, which boasted an extra 30 percent purse increase, and were both rewarded with three driving victories each on the Monday (Dec. 26) 11-race finale.  Local and remote bettors also knew value when the saw it, pushing the total all-source handle to a First Tracks Cumberland record of $197,048.

Stevenson wasted little time finding the winners circle on the ultimate program, scoring a wire-to-wire victory with his own charge Osprey Delta in the opener.  The 58-year-old New Brunswick-native who now makes Maine his home is stabled at the Cumberland Fairgrounds, and has a short commute to work each racing day.

Familiar with the track and its myriad of winter conditions, Stevenson was comfortable putting the 7-year-old daughter of Tad The Stud on the front end for the $8,450 Open 2 Trot featured opener.  Setting reasonable fractions of 29.1 and 59 to the half, Stevenson was well in command throughout both circuits.  Keeping the would-be spoilers at bay into a 1:29.4 third panel, the pair coasted home 1-1/4 length winners in 2:00.1.

Trained by Stevenson and owned by Robert Collins’ Steel Ponies LLC, it was the 15^th victory of her career and equaled her seasonal best clocking.  Osprey Delta paid $18.00 to win.  Broadway Giant (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Kyrie Deo (Mark Athearn) was third.

Stevenson also scored with Virtual Success (1:58.1, $12.20 to win) who is trained by L. Alex MacDonald, and Besidetheseaside A (1:56.4, $21.20), trained and co-owned by Ralph D’Amelio.

Matty ‘Ice’ Athearn won the second race with his own 10-year-old gelding by Dragon Again, The Wayfairing Man, paying $12.80 on a $2 wager.  Owned and driven by Matt, he is trained by his mother Gretchen Athearn, and scored an untested romp from post five in 1:57.4.  Athearn also won with Kick Up The Dirt (1:57.4, $13.00) who is trained by Mike Girouard, and R T Lange (1:58.2, $3.80), Billy DuBois trains.

Several fast-class races were captured by newlyweds Ron Cushing and the former Heidi Gibbs.  The driving-training duo sent out Rock Diamonds N in the $7,800 Open 3 Pace who went the fastest mile of the day, winning in 1:55.1 by four lengths.  They also scored in the $7,150 Open 4 Trot with Swan Fine Lady in 1:59.4.  Both horses were the favorites and owned by Ron Cushing and Kevin Sywyk, with the latter also including co-owner Lance Downs.  It was a wonderful post-wedding gift for the couple who tied the knot during mid-December in Florida with a host of friends and family along for the adventure.

Bruce Ranger led all drivers at Cumberland in 2022 with 78 wins, and completed the meet as the leading reinsman.  Walter Case Jr. finished second in the drivers’ standings with 57 victories, and Kevin Switzer Jr. was third with 55.  Trainer Chris Lefebvre was the leading conditioner with 31 trips to the Blue Seal Feeds Winners Circle.  Benson Merrill was second with 23 victories, and Lisa Watson was third with 22 training wins.

Racing will resume in April 2023 at First Tracks Cumberland.  The management team at Black Bear Racing would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff, racing officials, horse people, fans and bettors that helped make their second full year of racing another successful extended pari-mutuel meeting.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

December 23, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – A few days after Maine’s Au Revior Retirement Showcase celebrated eighteen 14-year-old Standardbreds for their longevity in harness racing, two of those honorees came back to win the final starts of their illustrious careers.  Leading reinsman Bruce Ranger was aboard both Personnel Space and Forward Bliss when the older pacers made their swan song bows in the Blue Seal Winners Circle on Thursday (Dec. 22) at Cumberland.

Personnel Space left from post position three and went right to the top to take control of opening fractions of 30 and 1:01.1.  The 2-1 public choice never had an anxious moment as Ranger cruised through a 1:30.1 third panel en route to a one length, measured score in 2:00.2.  He paid $6.00 to win.  Putnams Storm (Bob Nadeau) finished second; Dansun Carruso (Andy Harrington) was third.

Owned and trained by Mike Girouard, the 14-year-old son of I Am A Fool made it look easy for the 46^th victory of his career.  The win put the lifetime earnings for Personnel Space at $234,794.  After a lengthy career that included 349 starts, the retiree will live out his days at the owner’s farm in Spencer, Mass.

Forward Bliss, another elder statesman, used an off-the-pace tactic to get the job done and go out on a high note.  Ranger had post four and got away second, allowing Bayonet (Mike Stevenson) to set the tempo of 30.3 and 1:02.2 for the first half.

She’sallfinn (Walter Case Jr) moved first over and got to within a length of the leader at the 1:31.4 third stanza.  At the head of the stretch they were coming from everywhere as Ranger put Forward Bliss into high gear and got to the front for a 2:02 clocking.  He paid $15.60 to win.  Easteriffic (Matt Athearn) finished second; She’sallfinn was third.

Owned and trained by Adam Gray, the 14-year-old son of Blissfull Hall grabbed the 37^th win of his career, pushing his lifetime earnings to $158,344.  It was the 381^st and final time he would go behind the gate.  Although finished racing, Forward Bliss will now become the beloved riding horse for Stephanie and Adam Gray’s niece Britney, and her two young daughters in Gardiner, Maine.

The featured $4,600 cond. pace of the day was captured by Shooting Brooke in 1:58.3 for driver Wally Watson and trainer Chris Lefebvre.  The 4-year-old daughter of Straight Shooting paid $8.60 to win and is owned by Michelle Lefebvre.  Favorite Rojas Blue Chip (Stevenson) finished second; Eleanor Jean (Steve Wilson) was third.

Heading into the final day, the year’s leading reinsman, Bruce Ranger, leads all drivers with 78 wins, having picked up three wins on the card.  Matt Athearn enjoyed a hat trick on the day’s program as well, with Chris Lefebvre having a training double.

The year’s final day of racing was postponed from Saturday (Dec. 24) to Monday (Dec. 26) and concludes the Winter Festival season at Cumberland.  Post time 11 am.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

December 20, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Aaron Hall gave Amarettigone a tactically savvy steer to capture the $12,000 Polar Express Late Closer Series Final on Monday (Dec. 19) at Cumberland.  The program was postponed from Saturday and included the Au Revior Retirement Showcase which honored eighteen 14-year-old Standardbreds as their racing days come to a close.  But, on a day when older horses were the advertised stars, Bruce Ranger showed the Maine faithful that age is just a number, winning five in-a-row and six races on the card.

Hall had Amarettigone out and moving early from post three, grabbing the front end just before the 28.3 opening panel.  Favorite Rojas Blue Chip (Mike Stevenson), leaving from post 8, had no choice but to continue on the outside and push to the front.  Clearing just before the second turn, Rojas Blue Chip led the charge where Road Untraveled (Nick Graffam) flushed the cover of Sunset Over Miami (Walter Case Jr.) heading into 1:00 half-mile marker on track rated ‘good.’

Past the 1:29.4 three-quarter stanza the outer flow continued to apply pressure to the leader Rojas Blue Chip, who had managed to gain a little separation around the final turn.  That little bit of daylight was all the wiggle room that Hall needed to slingshot Amarettigone off the turn and charge for the wire and win by 1-3/4 lengths in 2:00.4.  Rojas Blue Chip hung on for second; 14-year-old Dansan Carruso (Andy Harrington) was third.

The 8-year-old daughter of Real Desire is trained by Hunter Moody for owner Patricia Moody-D’Angelo.  She paid $9.80 to win for the 24^th time in her career.  Sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds, the swag bucket trophy was presented to the winning connections by Aimee Nichols, on behalf of the Windham and North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feeds retail locations.

The day was a special occasion for horse owners throughout the Pine Tree State, as several dozen equine enthusiasts from Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York converged upon the Cumberland Fairgrounds for the ‘Au Revior’ Retirement Showcase. 

Eighteen horses paraded in front of the grandstand under sunny skies while the announcer read a biography as fans bid farewell to each 14-year-old.  Each horse had a half page bio in the program with a special photo, and was presented with a custom designed plaque, hand-crafted and donated by the talented Barbara Dresser.  As the horse and their connections posed for photographs in the winners circle, it truly was a day to remember for all involved as each horse has their own unique history and special traits.  These equine athletes also look forward to their future as many will be living out their days with their proud owners, or were re-homed to riding stables for a second career as hardy saddle horses.  They were all beloved by their owners and trainers.

Standardbreds love to work, and it was evident as the proud steeds paraded before the grandstand with their ears up and their heads held high.  Often, when warm-ups or tractors went by, their tails would go up and their steps would lighten, having fondly recalled their days between the shafts.

Sporting impressive combined earnings of $5.7 million in purse earnings with an average of $317,000, these retiring or retired Standardbreds have a combined win total of 784, and have averaged 43 trips to their respective winners circles.  All told, these horses have started an incredible 5,552 times. 

Listed below are all the horses that were recognized, with their owners/trainers of record:

ARSENAL, p,6,1:50.3f,  $593,715 , Kelly Case

BETTORS FIRE N, p,11,1:50.1f,  $1,043,789 , Ron Cushing & Kevin Swyck, Heidi Gibbs

CJ MARSHAL, p,7,1:53.3f,  $138,501 , Scott Farley

CREIGHTON HANOVER, p,5,1:51.4f,  $413,050 , Dennis Whittemore

DANSAN CARRUSO, p,7,1:57.3,  $72,820 , Dawn Rodney, Billy DuBois

FORWARD BLISS, p,3,1:53.2z,  $156,254 , Stephanie and Adam Gray

INTREPID HALL, p,4,1:50.4f,  $359,191 , Tracy Hiles, Bobby Melanson

JAY BEES GRIN N , p,8,1:52.4f,  $264,493 , Michel Bilodeau

LIFEONTHERANGE, p,3,1:54.3f,  $166,076 , Shawn Gray, Kandace Niles

LUCKSGOTTACHANGE , p,9,1:54.2f,  $112,424 , Michel Bilodeau

McRUSTY, p,7,1:51f,  $494,200 , Kori Kinney, Dan Deslandes

MILLIONDOLLARDAD, p,3,1:54.2f,  $199,386 , Dakota Jackson

PERSONNEL SPACE , p,9,1:53.2f,  $232,574 , Michael Girouard

RAMBLING JET, p,6,1:54.1f,  $193,195 , David Crochere

RIDEOFALIFETIME, 9,1:59.1,  $91,404 , Karen Somerby, Roy Somerby

ROAD UNTRAVELED, p,5,1:49.1,  $481,002 , John & Thelma Kiernan, Benson Merrill

SHAMDEROCK, p,6,1:51.3f,  $289,298 , Mark and Phyllis Liebowitz

Heading into the final week, the year’s leading reinsman, Bruce Ranger, showed no signs of slowing down, and leads all drivers with 75 wins.  The 63-year-old native of Maine has 9,962 lifetime wins, while adding six to that total on the Monday card.  Walter Case Jr. enjoyed a hat trick on the day’s program as well, and is tied for second place in the drivers standings with 55 victories.  The only event on the 10-race card that was NOT captured by these two drivers was the Polar Express # 2 final with Aaron Hall.

Racing resumes at Cumberland’s Winter Festival harness meet on Thursday (Dec. 22).  The final weekend of racing continues on Friday (Dec. 23), and concludes for the season on Christmas Eve Day, Saturday (Dec. 24).  Post time 11 am.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

December 18, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Michigan-native Dakota “Action” Jackson put his Ontario-bred stable star Sports Teen into the hands of Mainer Walter Case Jr., and together they captured the $15,000 Polar Express Late Closing Series Final # 3 in decisive fashion on Friday (Dec. 16).

The 6-year-old son of Sportswriter had a different driver every week for the last four weeks, winning the first $6,000 elimination leg with Ron Cushing two weeks prior. Nonetheless, Jackson’s instructions to Case were simply, ‘leave with him.’ As the starting gate swung shut, Sports Teen and Case had effectively shut the door on the competition.

Leaving from post three, the pair shot to the front by 1-1/2 lengths in a 29 second opening panel over the muddy surface. Nets Of Passion (Mike Stevenson) was content to sit in the two-hole. The first horse to pull was Twin B Impressive (Bruce Ranger), and was followed in the outer flow by Swellendam (Drew Campbell) into a 1:00.2 half-mile clocking.

Case pulled the plugs on Sports Teen past the 1:29.1 third panel and with Twin B Impressive stalling on the outside Harrington found room with Commondiscourtesy to gain some momentum from a previously boxed-in position of fifth on the pylons.

As the field turned for home, Sports Teen found another gear, and with a swift turn of foot drew off to score by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:59 over the wet surface. Owned and trained by Dakota Jackson, Sports Teen paid $7.60 to win. Nets Of Passion finished second; Commondiscourtesy was third.

In the Blue Seal Winner’s Circle, Jackson was surrounded by family, including his twin brother Zach, and exclaimed, “aside from winning two at the Meadowlands, this has been the greatest thrill of my life.”

The race was sponsored by the Windham Blue Seal Feeds and North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feeds stores.

Lisa and Wally Watson won the $7,500 Polar Express consolation #3 with their own Terror Hall, who had no issues with the moist surface, and went home a winner in 1:59.4. Lisa Watson trained and husband Wally Watson drove the 9-year-old son of Western Terror, who paid $7.20 on a $2 ticket. Librado Hanover (Aaron Hall) finished second; Touch Of Dragon (Nick Graffam) was third.

Over a dozen trainers, drivers and track staff filled the winners circle for the fourth race, Thank You Marc Reynolds event. The track bids farewell to their inaugural racing secretary who is moving on after this meet, and thanked him for his steadfast support of Maine harness racing.

Walter Case Jr. and Mark Athearn each had driving doubles on the program.

Looking ahead, racing continues Monday (Dec. 19, the postponed 17th race date), and features the $12,000 Polar Express Final # 2.

Also part of the day’s festivities will be the ‘Au Revior’ Retirement Showcase. All eighteen horses will parade in front of the grandstand while the announcer reads a brief biography as we bid farewell to each 14-year-old. Sporting impressive combined earnings of $5.7 million in purse earnings with an average of $317,000, these retiring or retired Standardbreds will be the shining stars of the day. With a combined win total of 784, these ‘monsters of the midway’ have averaged 43 trips to their respective winners circles. Combined, these horses have started 5,552 times in races all over the world.

Every race has a 50-cent Trifecta, and the final race each day also features a 20-cent Pentafecta.

Racing resumes at Cumberland’s Winter Festival harness meet on Thursday (Dec. 22). The final weekend of racing continues on Friday (Dec. 23), and concludes for the season on Christmas Eve Day, Saturday (Dec. 24). Post time 11 am.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

December 16, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Drew Campbell won three-in-a-row, including a 10-1 score in the $10,000 Polar Express Late Closing Series Final # 1 with Sherry Cushing’s Invictus Hanover on Friday (Dec. 16) at Cumberland.

Scoring from post three, Campbell got shuffled back to seventh as several early leavers tussled for command of the snowy racing surface.  Three of the four outermost horses left swiftly, and despite the wind-driven precipitation Cee Pee Panic (Nick Graffam) was parked and forced by a yielding Cash Crazy Express (Aaron Hall) to set a 28.3 opening panel.  Led Schneppelin (Jason Bertolini) was the first to pull past the 59.1 half-mile marker, and was looking the leader right in the eye into a 1:29.2 third panel.  Followin him was Eternal Ring (Mike Stevenson) who was second over, followed closely by Invictus Hanover (Campbell) in the outer flow.

The pack was tight around the final turn with Led Schneppelin at 48-1 sticking a head in front.  As they turned for home, four horses fanned out across the track for the last dash to the wire, with Invictus Hanover getting up in the final strides to win by half of a length in 2:02.  Led Schneppelin hung on tough for second; Eternal Ring was third.

Invictus Hanover is trained by Cumberland’s talented outrider Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing for owner Craig Jordan and paid $22.40 to win.  An 11-year-old son of Yankee Cruiser, it was the 40^th win of his career.  The 3-7 exacta with Led Schneppelin on the bottom paid $199.90 for a $1 ticket, with the 3-7-1 trifecta coming back a whopping $1,660.50.

The Blue Seal Feeds swag bucket trophy was presented to the winning connections by Melanie Locke from the Windham, Maine, Blue Seal Feeds retail location.

Due to Winter Storm Diaz, Saturday’s (Dec. 17) live racing card, which includes the annual Au Revior Retirement Showcase has been postponed to Monday (Dec. 19) with eighteen horses all taking their final bow before the fans.

Racing resumes Sunday (Dec. 18), for the $15,000 Polar Express Late Closing Series # 3 Final, which drew sufficient entries for a $7,500 consolation, races five and three, respectively.  After the fourth race the horsemen and staff at First Tracks Cumberland will honor racing secretary Marc Reynolds for his dedication and commitment to Maine harness racing over the last several years.

The postponed 17^th race date on Monday (Dec. 19) is a big day at the Fairgrounds as the $12,000 Polar Express Final # 2 carries a full field of eight.  Between each race, two of the eighteen ‘Au Revior’ retirees will parade in front of the grandstand while the announcer reads a brief biography as we bid farewell to each 14-year-old.  Sporting impressive combined earnings of $5.7 million in purse earnings with an average of $317,000, these retiring or retired Standardbreds will be the shining stars of the day.  With a combined win total of 784, these ‘monsters of the midway’ have averaged 43 trips to their respective winners circles.  Combined, these horses have started 5,552 times in races all over the world.

Every race, all weekend long, has a 50-cent Trifecta, and the final race each day also features a 20-cent Pentafecta.

Our extended pari-mutuel harness racing meet runs for one more weekend after this, with the first post at 11 am each day.  Christmas week live harness racing will start on Thursday (Dec. 22), continue on Friday (Dec. 23), and conclude for the Winter Festival on Christmas Eve Day, Saturday (Dec. 24).

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.