December 2, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Sophomore pacer Timbo Slice defeated a full field of veteran pacers on Friday (Dec. 2) to capture a $4,000 elimination leg of the Polar Express Late Closing Series # 1 at Cumberland.

Driver Andy Harrington allowed Timbo Slice to float out from post two and let a few front-runners go.  Led Schnepplin (Jason Bertonlini) hit the ground pacing as soon as the wings folded, grabbing command of the pack and setting a 29.3 opening panel.  Wally Watson immediately pulled 14-year-old Forward Bliss from the pocket and re-took the lead before the second turn.

As the field approached the half Eternal Ring (Mike Stevenson) flushed the cover of Timbo Slice, with Dancin Hill (Matt Athearn) following third over.   Past the half in 1:01.3 it was three in and four out as the field charged into the paddock turn for the second time.

Moving down the backstretch Harrington had Timbo Slice on the move and pushing for the lead past the third panel in 1:31.2.  With Timbo Slice gaining some separation at the head of the stretch, both Eternal Ring and Cash Crazy Express (Aaron Hall) started to advance on the leader.  With his lead nearly evaporated, Timbo Slide managed to hold on until the wire and prevail by a quarter length in 2:02.3.

The 3-year-old son of Sunshine Beach is owned and trained by Lester Dancer and picked up his second win of the season, paying $27.40 on a $2 ticket.  Wagering favorite Eternal Ring finished second, Cash Crazy Express was third.

The other Polar Express elimination leg was captured by Cee Pee Panic in 2:00.4.  Driven to a wire-to-wire romp by Nick Graffam for trainer Benson Merrill, the 13-year-old gelding by Perfect Union is owned by John and Thelma Kiernan and Tom Bemont.  He paid $3.40 and was the public’s choice.  Invictus Hanover (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; Tuukka (Walter Case Jr.) was third.

Luke Varnum, the 68-year-old trainer/driver from Greene scored with his own Pembroke Ranger in a wire-to-wire romp that lit up the tote board in the finale.  Paying $79.00 to win, the 5-year-old son of Western Maverick picked up his first win of the season, which Varnum owns with his wife Patricia.  Pembroke Ranger was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

Four drivers won nine of ten races on the day’s program, which saw double-digit win returns on nearly half the card.  Kevin Switzer Jr. picked up three wins on the card, with Aaron Hall, Andy Harrington and Nick Graffam each winning two.

Racing resumes Saturday (Dec. 3) with twelve full-field races, which includes several open pace events as well two $5,000 elimination legs of the Polar Express Late Closing Series # 2.  Road Untraveled (3-1, Nick Graffam) and American Road (5-2, Walter Case Jr.) lead the convoy in the first division, given their current form.  In the second division Stormin Maverick (5-2, Walter Case Jr.) will attract some attention from inside, as will Bailey’s Legacy (4-1, Nick Graffam). 

Saturday’s featured $6,500 Open 2 Pace marks the return of several fast-class pacers from Plainridge, including track record holder Adriano Hanover (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Bag Pipe Major (3-1, Bruce Ranger).  They both have a pair of competitive locals on their inside to contend with, namely Ry’s Red Rocket (9-2, Matt Athearn) and Rocksapatriot (5-1, Dave Ingraham).

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 through December 24, 2022 with the first post at 11 am each day. 

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

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

CUMBERLAND, ME –Legendary New England horseman Donnie Richards had plenty to be thankful for this weekend, as his stable star Ry’s Red Rocket picked up her eighth win of the season on Saturday (Nov. 26) at Cumberland.

Driven to victory by Matty ‘Ice’ Athearn, the 5-year-old mare by Sunshine Beach had all the boys talking as she turned a two-hole trip into pay dirt to win the $6,000 Open 3 Pace.  Scoring from post six, Athearn left swiftly to get position behind the leader Woody’s Cash Crop (Nick Graffam) who set opening fractions of 28.4 and 58.4.

Moving toward the half, the outer flow included Sports Team (Aaron Hall), who provided cover for wagering favorite See You Friday (Walter Case Jr.), who found himself eight lengths behind the leader.  Graffam pushed Woody’s Cash Crop to a 1:27.4 third panel while trying to gain some separation from his challengers.  At this point it seemed that Ry’s Red Rocket was hopelessly boxed in on the rail, with horses swarming toward the front end. 

As the field rounded the final turn a leg weary Sports Teen drifted out and provided Matty ‘Ice’ with all of the racing room he needed to duck to the outside and pace past the leader, scoring handily by a half-length in 1:57.4.

Owned and trained by the 89-year-old Donnie Richards, Ry’s Red Rocket was bred by Linwood Higgins.  A current track holder and Cumberland Fairgrounds resident, she paid $8.00 to win the 19^th race of her career.  Woody’s Cash Crop finished second; See You Friday was third.

The $6,500 featured Open 2 Pace was a jog through the park for Hespoisedtopounce A, who clocked the fastest win of the day in 1:55.2.  Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. hustled the 6-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight out from post four, and easily took command.  From that point it was all over but the shouting as no horse got anywhere close to challenging the 1-9 favorite.

Owned by Anthony Gruppo and Tim Bojarski, Hespoisedtopounce A is trained by Jimmy Nickerson.  Picking up his eighth seasonal victory, the fast-class performer has bankrolled $85,740 this season.

Hespoisedtopounce A paid $2.20 to win.  Rocksapatriot (Dave Ingraham) finished second; Star Speaker (Aaron Hall) was third.

Leading reinsman Bruce Ranger enjoyed a hat trick, while Matt Athearn, Aaron Hall and Kevin Switzer Jr. each piloted a pair of winners.

Racing continues Sunday (Nov. 27) program features ten races, three of which are trotting events.  The featured $6,000 Open 3-4 Trot includes a full field of recent winners, including Osprey Delta (9-2, Mike Stevenson) and A Blue Blood (5-1, Nick Graffam) who will try to upset the early morning line favorite Little Macabee (5-2, Aaron Hall).

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 through December 24, 2022 with post time remaining at 11 am.  The popular Au Revior Retirement Showcase for 14-year-old Standardbreds is slated for December 17, with entries due by Nov. 30.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 21, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Leading reinsman Bruce Ranger led Broadway Giant on a tour of the Cumberland Raceway oval on Sunday (Nov. 20), handily winning the featured $6,500 Open 2-3 Trot by three open lengths.

The track was listed as fast despite temps in the mid-30s when the 8-year-old son of Broadway Hall left alertly and immediately took command from post four.  Setting comfortable opening fractions of 29.2 and 1:01.4, he set the stage for his command of the following circuit.  Last week’s fast class winner Caulfield (Mike Stevenson) made a bid for contention first over going to the half, but only managed to get within a length of the leader. 

As the third panel of 1:30.4 came and went, so did Broadway Giant as the dark trotter opened up several length on his rivals to cruise to victory unabated in 2:01.4.  Owned and trained by Ron Patoine, it was his 19^th career victory and sixth on the season.  Broadway Giant paid $3.20 to win as the wagering favorite.  Namesmuscle (Mark Athearn) finished second; Caulfield was third.

Second choice trotting mare Osprey Delta (2-1, Mike Stevenson) picked up the pieces in the $6,000 Open 3-4 Trot, as the quick tempo-setting Mister Muscle (Walter Case Jr.) faded in the home stretch.  “Casey” sent the 6-5 favorite Mister Muscle right out to the lead from post five with Osprey Delta right alongside to push him to a 29.2 opening panel before crossing over.  Heading into a 1:00.2 half-mile marker, Aaron Hall moved Little Macabee to the outside in the second turn to challenge for the lead. 

These two clashed while careening down the backside into a swift 1:30 third panel, with Little Macabee looking Mister Muscle right in the eye around the final turn.  The speedy fractions had finally gotten the best of the leader, which allowed the challenger to take a momentary lead in the lane.  But, unbeknownst to the front end battlers, Stevenson and Osprey Delta were flying down the center of the racetrack to steal the day’s thunder in 2:00.3.

Trained and driven by Mike Stevenson, the 7-year-old mare by Tad The Stud is owned by Steel Ponies LLC (Robert Collins).  She paid $6.60 to win.  Little Macabee finished second; Prescott (Andy Harrington) was a fast closing third.

Bruce Ranger enjoyed three victories on the day’s program, and continues to lead all dash-winning drivers of 2022 at Cumberland with 50 wins.  Walter Case Jr. is second with 45, with Matt Athearn and Kevin Switzer Jr. tied for third with 40 apiece.

Next week’s schedule excludes ‘Black Friday’ (Nov. 26) and restarts on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 27 & 28), with the Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel harness racing meet continuing through December 24, 2022.  The popular Au Revior Retirement Showcase for 14-year-old Standardbreds is slated for December 17, with entries due by Nov. 30.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 12, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – For the second time this week a horse bred by the sport’s leading nursery, Hanover Shoe Farms, set a track record.  Thursday night at Rosecroft World Champion Allywag Hanover paced the fastest mile in history of the sport on a five-eighths mile track.  The 5-year-old gelding by Captaintreacherous won the Potomac Pace in a swift 1:46.4f, which was a world and track record performance. 

Two days later (Nov. 12) Adriano Hanover soared to a 1:53.4h victory at First Tracks Cumberland, equaling the all-age track record for pacers, and establishing a new benchmark for older pacers at the Southern Maine oval.

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. the 5-year-old son of Western Ideal sprinted right out for the lead from post position four.  Hitting the opening panel in 27.3, Switzer Jr. applied the brakes into a 58.1 half.  As the outer flow started to advance Adriano Hanover responded to the reinsman’s urging and gained further separation into 1:25.4 third stanza and sprinted home a victor by 5-3/4 lengths with a 28 second final kick.

Adriano Hanover is owned and trained by Gerald MacKenzie Jr., and picked up the 17^th victory of his career, which is closing in on $250,000 in lifetime earnings.   He paid $3.00 to win the $6,500 Open 2 Pace featured race of the afternoon. 

Captain Nash (Drew Campbell), the previous divisional track record holder, finished second and was race-timed in the identical 1:55 former standard, despite having broken equipment.  Last week’s winner, Ry’s Red Rocket (Matt Athearn) finished third.

The $6,000 Open 3 Pace was captured by Star Speaker (Drew Campbell) in 1:57, who got up in the final strides to nip Terror Hall (Wally Watson) by a nose.  Trained and owned by Kimberly Vafiades (with Greg Kirby) the 5-year-old son of Artspeak has won 9 races this season.  He paid $3.60 to win.

Kevin Switzer had a grand slam on the program, which also included Oceanview Echo ($8.80 to win), Eleanor Jean ($6.40) and Native Maverick ($27.20) who was four-wide down the backside to score from dead last at the quarter pole.

Drew Campbell enjoyed a driving triple, and eleven different trainers won a race on the day’s card.

The Sunday (Nov. 13) program has twelve races, five of them trots.  The $6,500 Open 2-3 Trot features last week’s victor Favorite Uncle (Cain MacKenzie) who scores from post position four.  Outside him is the trending Broadway Giant (PP 5, Bruce Ranger) who won three-in-a-row before moving up to this class.  This race also marks the return of local fan favorite Cherry Crown Jewel (PP 3, Mark Athearn), who set a track record at Cumberland last year and is coming off a win at Bangor.

First Tracks Cumberland is proud to present the Polar Express Late Closing Series for the Winter meet.  Beginning Dec. 2-4, the three individual TrackMaster rating and conditioned events boast over $85,000 of additional earning opportunities for New England horse people, for which there is no entry fee.  For further details, visit the horsemen page on our website, or click:

First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association are collecting nonperishable food items in the race paddock during the next two weekends of racing to benefit the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program.

Racing continues at First Tracks Cumberland for our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting featuring a weekly trifecta of cards on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Nov.18, 19 & 20) which continues through December 24, 2022.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 6, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Track record holding 5-year-old pacing mare Ry’s Red Rocket returned to her home turf and upset the wagering favorite Adriano Hanover to capture today’s (Nov. 6) co-featured $6,500 Open 2 Pace in 1:55.1, the swiftest race of the day. 

The eighth race proved to be a very competitive field of top pacers as three current, or former, track record holders sought their share of the purse.  In addition, the skies were clear and temperatures soared to 70 degrees as the unseasonably warm weather played the perfect backdrop for the resumption of harness racing at the iconic Cumberland Raceway for the first of 21 Southern Maine racing dates. 

Returning back home following her three month tour of the Maine Fair Circuit, the Matt Athearn-driven Ry’s Red Rocket left swiftly from post two and hit the opening panel in 28.1.  With Captain Nash (Drew Campbell) settling in the two-hole, the daughter of Sunshine Beach got a brief respite going to the half in 57.3, and rolled on comfortably to the three-quarters in 1:25.4.  Surprisingly, the outer flow never materialized as Rocksapatriot (Dave Ingraham) was all alone on the outside and had only advanced to third position, just outside Captain Nash who had maintained his catbird seat into the third stanza.

When the field turned for home 2-5 favorite Adriano Hanover (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was sling-shot from fourth, out from behind Rocksapatriot and barreled down the lane to catch the leaders.  The wire arrived just in time for Ry’s Red Rocket to hold on for a ‘nose’ victory over fast closing Adriano Hanover.  Captain Nash and Rocksapatriot were nearly inseparable for third and fourth respectively, back just a half-length off the leaders.

Owned and trained by local legend Donnie Richards, Ry’s Red Rocket paid $15.80 to win her seventh race of the season.

The fifth race $6,500 Open 3 Trot was captured by Favorite Uncle who took the overland route to score for trainer/driver Cain Mackenzie.  Scoring from post five, the 6-year-old son of Uncle Peter hung tough on the outside for the entire middle half and brushed to a head victory over Little Macabee (Aaron Hall) to pick up his first victory for his new connections, after spending the summer on the tough Ohio circuit.  Prescott finished third.

Favorite Uncle is owned by Lillian Bellmore and paid $15.80 to win

From the 47 different conditioners that entered horses in the opener, local horseman Mike Stevenson enjoyed a driving and training double, winning the opener with Osprey Delta ($3.80 to win) and the ninth with Rest Assured ($7.40).  Drivers Matt Athearn, Aaron Hall and Walter Case Jr. also picked up driving doubles.

First Tracks Cumberland will offer the Polar Express Late Closing Series for the Winter meet.  Beginning Dec. 2-4, the three individual TrackMaster rating and conditioned events boast over $85,000 of additional earning opportunities for New England horse people, for which there is no entry fee. 

October 30, 2022 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Racing resumes at the iconic Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (Nov. 6) for the first of 21 Southern Maine racing dates dubbed the “Winter Festival” and carries a new 11:00 a.m. (EST) first post time.

Condition sheets for horse trainers will be available early in the week, with the first draw slated for Thursday (Nov. 3) for the opening day card.

In addition, racing secretary Marc Reynolds is working on several lucrative Late Closing series for the month of December, which should provide for very competitive fields vying for over $85,000 in additional purse monies.

Racing continues at First Tracks Cumberland for our second Winter-time extended pari-mutuel meeting featuring three consecutive days of racing with a Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedule.  The action continues weekly through December 24, 2021.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

First Tracks Cumberland racing secretary Marc Reynolds is pleased to announce TWO series dubbed the ‘Monsters of the Midway,’ for the upcoming fair dates (Sept. 25 – Oct. 1) as well as THREE (3) distinct Invites for Sat., Oct. 1, in concert with the Maine Breeders Stakes 2-year-old final racing card. Pace and Trot go for $10,000 …The MAINE-BRED pace goes for $15,000

See future condition sheet(s) for additional details and draw dates.

July 23, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – While temperatures soared across the country this weekend, the tempo was hot on Saturday’s (July 23) final day of the Spring-Summer meet at First Tracks Cumberland with leading driver Bruce Ranger steering Vesuvio Bi to back-to-back Open Trot victories, and breaking a track record in the process.

When the starter said ‘Go’ for the $6,000 Open Trot 2-3, Ranger catapulted Vesuvio Bi three-wide into the first turn while forcing a breathtaking 27-second opening panel.  The speedy tempo stretched out the field and Ranger had the 8-year-old son of Manofmanymissions out in front by open lengths and hit the half all alone in 56.2.

And if that wasn’t hot enough, the tempo-setting pair scorched the field going down the backside in an unheard of 1:25.2 third stanza.  On top by six in what may have been the fastest third quarter posted in a trotting race in the history of the Cumberland Fairgrounds, Ranger and Vesuvio Bi had distanced themselves enough to coast home a somewhat leg-weary winner by 3-1/2 lengths.

Vesuvio Bi paid $3.60 to win, with the 1:57.1 final time being the fastest mile ever trotted by an aged gelding at Cumberland.  Little Macabee (Aaron Hall) finished second; Caulfield (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

It was the 29^th career victory for Vesuvio Bi, who is trained by Joseph Nelson for owners Michele Nelson and Eric Everett.

In Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) action, Zack ‘The Sherriff’ Gray took matters into his own hands and posted a big victory on the closing weekend at Cumberland.

Scoring from post four, Zack Gray got away fourth with Lightupbullville, while Alex Richardson driving favorite Our Royal Majesty grabbed the lead from post two.

Going to the half Gray pulled the 11-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight to be first over and fought valiantly for the lead through the following two furlongs and ultimately drew off by 5-3/4 lengths for the win in 1:59.3.

Trained by Fred Ward, and owned by Sharon Ward, Lightupbullville paid $7.40 to win for the 27^th time in his life.  Tricia Star (Ryan Hall) finished second; Our Royal Mattjesty (Richardson) hung on for third.

Jason Bertolini maintained his MADC point advantage and finished the Cumberland Spring-Summer season on top with 69 points.  Alex Richardson finished in second with 59; Benson Merrill was third with 50. 

The Maine Amateur Driving Club is sponsored by the North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feed Store and the Windham Blue Seal Feed Store, with leadership and support from Aimee Nichols, their dedicated territory sales manager.

There were two Maine Breeders Stakes (MSBS) held before the regular program.  The two $11,000-plus MSBS races were for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.  The first non-bettor was won by Luke McGook in a wire-to-wire cruise in 2:02.  Kevin Switzer Jr. drove the son of Rock N’ Roll World for trainer Marc Tardiff and owner Leighton Property.  Luke McGook was bred in Maine by Erica Saucier and is now 4-for-4 on the season. 

Rockaroundsam (Walter Case Jr., Marc Tardif) finished second; Two Towns Over (Heath Campbell, Valerie Grondin) was third. 

The second non-wagering event saw Twice The Ice (Walter Case Jr.), a son of Deuce Seelster, equal his mark from last week, scoring in 2:01.4.  Twice The Ice is owned and trained by Marc Tardif, was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.

Mattuci (Heath Campbell, Valerie Grondin) finished second; Anithingforyoudear (Mike Stevenson, Marc Tardif) was third.

Walter Case Jr. and Mark Athearn made two trips to the Blue Seal Feeds Winners Circle.

Harness Racing at the Cumberland Fairgrounds returns during the Maine Fair Circuit from September 25 through October 2.  First Tracks Cumberland winter festival reconvenes on November 11 and races through New Year’s Eve.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

July 22, 2022, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – As the penultimate program of the Spring-Summer meet at First Tracks Cumberland got underway, Ry’s Red Rocket roared past the pack to victory and grabbed the final $6,000 Open 3 Pace of the meet.

As the wings folded driver Matty “Ice” Athearn took a seat with the 5-year-old mare by Sunshine Beach, allowing front-running Nagle (Dan Deslandes) to control the tempo and stroll to a 28.3 opening panel.

Getting away fifth the Donnie Richards-trained lass waited until the field passed the 3/8 marker, and at the head of the stretch they picked up the cover of Rocksapatriot (Dave Ingraham) who pulled first over.  As the field passed the stands for the first time, Nagle continued to set the pace getting to the half in 59.

When the group bunched up heading into a 1:27 third panel, Athearn was unwilling to wait any longer and pulled Ry’s Red Rocket three-wide down the backside to make a bold move for the lead.

With Nagle on the pylons and Rocksapatriot between them, the trio paced around the turn in unison and were mere heads apart as they entered the lane.  Racing toward the wire the mare found another gear and got up by a quarter-length in the final strides to best Rocksapatriot.  Nagle hung on for third.

Ry’s Red Rocket paid $3.80 to win, with the time of the mile in 1:56.3.

Owned and trained by Donnie Richards, it was the fifth seasonal victory for Ry’s Red Rocket.

Pickmepickme won the lone $11,703 Maine Breeders Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies, which was held before the program.  Driven by Andy Harrington for owner/trainer/breeder Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick now has two wins in three stakes races this season.

Matt Athearn, Walter Case Jr., Aaron Hall and Wally Watson all enjoyed driving doubles on the day’s program. 

The final date of racing for the Spring-Summer season will be held Saturday (July 23) at 4 p.m.  Another round of Maine Amateur Driving Club action is on tap, sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds, along with several Open Pacing events and a $6,000 Open Trot.

The final race on both Friday and Saturday features our 20 cent Hi-Five (Pentafecta), with a low takeout of 16%.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.