May 19, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – In yesterday’s opener at Cumberland, Sarah’s Lilly had a repeat performance, taking the top fillies & mares class on back-to-back Tuesdays.  That, in and of itself, is not necessarily headline news.  But the fact the her regular driver Bruce Ranger is now leading all drivers at all three commercial New England harness tracks, could be somewhat of a unique occurrence.

“This has never happened before, even in the old Bay State Raceway era,” noted long-time Maine presiding judge Charles Malia.  “I do recall Ranger being the top reinsman at Plainridge, Rockingham and Pompano in the year 2000, but never at all three New England tracks simultaneously.”

The Maine icon’s day started with guiding the 5-year-old daughter of He’s Gorgeous to a wire-to-wire 1:56 victory in the $6,000 Winners Over FM class.  Sarah’s Lilly is trained by Benson Merrill for owner/breeder Moo Coo Inc./Irwin Kaplan, and now has 4 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third in 12 seasonal outings, and has picked up nearly $10,000 in just the last four weeks.

But then Ranger racked up wins in the 3^rd, 6^th and 9^th races on the Tuesday card, placing him comfortably on top of the Cumberland drivers colony with 13 victories and a whopping .415 UDR over the first five race cards of the fledgling meet.  Heath Campbell is second with seven trips to the winners circle, with Dan Deslandes in the third spot with six wins.

Born in Portland, Maine, Ranger is now on the top of the leader board at Bangor with 14 wins, Cumberland with 13, and Plainridge with 36 victories.  This season he has a total of 65 wins and a .365 UDR.

An energetic 61-years-young, Ranger won his first race in 1979, and the talented reinsman had racked up 357 wins by the end of the three years that followed. 

He quickly became no stranger to the winner’s circle as Ranger now has 9,430 trips to victory lane, and has earned over $39 million in purses.  He sits 23^rd on the all-time ‘drivers by wins’ list and in 2019 he was just the 24^th driver ever to reach the 9,000 win plateau.   Ranger is also the all-time leading dash winner at Pompano Park, and is a member of both the New England and Florida Halls of Fame. 

According to USTA statistics, Ranger has been behind the starting gate over 46,000 times, and has enjoyed several multi-million dollar seasons.  Perhaps his best season was 2004 when he had 569 wins and earned $2.4 million, but he has had over a dozen years with more than 300 victories.

Always modest, Ranger is quick to give the credit of his success to the horses he drives and the trainers that utilize him.  He took a short break a few years ago and worked as a starter around the Maine fair tracks.  But, the roar of the crowd and the sound of the hoof beats were too loud to ignore and he picked right up where he left off.

In the Tuesday co-feature at Cumberland, driver Drew Campbell was not afraid to give Airspinder plenty of air to find victory in the $6,000 Winners Over Pace at Cumberland on Tuesday, May 18. 

Parked the entire second circuit, the 5-year-old son of No Spin Zone was comfortable while first over into a 1:25.3 third-quarter.  Campbell had Airspinder on top by three lengths at the head of the stretch, and held off a late charge by Rocksapatriot (Dave Ingraham) to win by a quarter-length in 1:55.3h.  Pacesetter Twomacsoneshadow (Kevin Switzer, Jr) finished third.

Airspinder paced the second fastest mile of the meet and took a new seasonal mark in the process, while inching closer to amassing $100,000 lifetime earnings.  Bred, owned and trained in the Pine Tree State, Airspinder is conditioned by Chris Lefebvre for owners Michelle Lefebvre and Brian Aaskov, he paid $7.00 to win.

Racing from Cumberland is presented LIVE each Tuesday and Saturday, through July 31.  First post 4:15 pm. 

For more information go to our website firsttrackscumberland.com and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 18, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland Race Secretary Marc Reynolds is sending out an open invitation to all New England-area Amateur Drivers for a new series of harness races being carded weekly for our sport’s non-professional reinsmen and women.

“We have had extensive conversations with Joe Burke and Todd Whitney about developing a series of races to be known as the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC).  The thought of a weekly event highlighting the ever-growing amateur driving movement has been well received and we look forward to robust participation from all over New England.”

While the purse events are in the formative stages, the conditions appear to be leaning toward a straight pace NW2000L5, with no optional claiming tags.  Of course, these may be adjusted as the horse population and entries allow, but the first leg will be on the condition sheet beginning Saturday, May 29.

“Amateur racing is as popular as it’s ever been,” stated Hall of Fame harness racing publicist John Manzi, who covers the Amateur action for groups around the country.

“More and more men and women are getting in the sulky to compete, and many own their own horses too!  It’s great for the sport, and the bettor’s really like these races because they are competitive and always exciting to watch.”

For more information, or to join the club, please Email fellow amateur driver Joe Burke: [email protected].

To download a MADC application, click HERE:

In addition to the possibility of increased purses for these races, the club will also raise money for local charities and other worthwhile causes.

Racing from Cumberland is presented LIVE each Tuesday and Saturday, through July 31.  First post 4:15 pm. 

For more information go to our website firsttrackscumberland.com and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 15, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Mike Stevenson left alertly with Caulfield, set the tempo, and enjoyed a wire-to-wire victory in the $6,000 Winners Over Trot, out-stepping favorite Awol Hanover (McGwire Sowers) to capture the feature race in 2:02h at Cumberland on Saturday (May 15) afternoon.

Bet down to 7-5 under sunny skies and temps in the mid-70s, the ultra-consistent 9-year-old son of Kadabra has only missed the board in one start this season, winning three of six with two third-place finishes in 2021.  Owned by George Tzikas and trained by Bob Marston, Caulfield has amassed over $372,000 in earnings with 24 wins lifetime.  The classy campaigner has been 1-2-3 in over half of his 156 career starts.  Caufield paid $4.80 to win.

Bruce Ranger enjoyed a driving double on today’s card, which including giving Ira Chief an encore appearance in the winner’s circle.  The 12-year-old son of Chief Silverheels has enjoyed back-to-back victories at the fledgling Cumberland meet, taking the first of today’s three $4,500 divisions of NW3500L5 pacing class in 1:57.3h.

Ira Chief is owned by Dianne Whittemore and is trained by Dennis Whittemore.  He paid $4.40 to win.

Ranger’s second win came with another horse that won on opening day, Shady Secret A.  Despite a jump up in class and drawing post seven, the 8-year-old daughter of Shadyshark Hanover moved first over from the quarter and was parked the rest of the way to win in 1:57.3h, a new seasonal mark. 

Shady Secret A is owned by Grant Owens, trained by Ben Merrill and paid $17.00 to win.

All in all, five horses on today’s card captured back-to-back victories at the new Cumberland race meet.  The youngest was the Sara Gibbs-owned and trained Dreamfair Fantasy.  She, a 3-year-old Bettor’s Delight filly, was driven to victory by Heath Campbell in 2:02.4/29.4.  Dreamfair Fantasy paid $4.40 to win.

Driver Dan Deslandes also had two wins on today’s card, the swiftest of the day was Mighty American N, who won the second $4,500 div. NW3500L5 in 1:56.1h.  The 9-year-old son of American Ideal is owned by Jose Cervantes and was trained by Karl Butterfield.  Mighty American N paid $7.00 to win.

May 12, 2021 – by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Ron Cushing steered Rock Diamonds N to a nose victory over Twomacsoneshadow (Kevin Switzer Jr) to capture the $6,000 Winners Over feature in 1:55.2h at Cumberland on a special Wednesday afternoon card.  The winning time was the fastest of the season at the new First Tracks Cumberland meet, and gave driver / co-owner Ron Cushing his first win over the Southern Maine surface this season.

Trained by Heidi Gibbs and co-owned with Kevin Sywyk, the 8-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover has now hit the board 6 times in his last 12 starts.  Rock Diamonds N paid $2.60 to win. 

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the first training win for 19-year-old Christopher DuBois, who visited the winner’s circle with his own Panhellenic p,1:52.3f ($204,500), a 14-year-old son of No Pan Intended.  The Mechanic Falls, Maine resident had his father, sister, nieces and nephews join him for the celebration of getting his first victory in 17 tries, with a 20-1 longshot!

Driven to victory by Kevin Switzer, Jr, Panhellenic paid a whopping $42.00 to win.

The second fastest race of the day was captured by Safety Second in 1:57.1h, a pacing event for $5,000 claimers.  Driven by Dan Deslandes for trainer Karl Butterfield, the 6-year-old gelded son of Custard The Dragon is owned by Barry Franklin, Westbury, NY.

Safety Second paid $3.00 to win.

Bruce Ranger enjoyed a back-to-back driving triple on the nine-race card, duplicating his efforts yesterday, including victories both trot races.  Heath Campbell had two wins on the card.

Racing from Cumberland continues Saturday, Preakness Day, May 15, first post 4:15 pm.  For more information go to our website firsttrackscumberland.com and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 11, 2021, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

Cumberland, ME — Maine icon Bruce Ranger scored in 1:56h with Sarah’s Lilly to cap off a driving triple under sunny skies on Cumberland’s first Tuesday card.

Sarah’s Lilly and Bruce Ranger scored in 1:56 at Cumberland Tuesday. Chris Tully photo.

The $6,000 Fillies and Mares Winners Over Pace saw the 5-year-old mare by He’s Gorgeous pace to a wire-to-wire romp. The victory also gave the mare’s trainer Ben Merrill three trips to the winner’s circle, where Ben and his wife Lauren also celebrated their wedding anniversary.

Sarah’s Lilly was bred by Irwin Kaplan and is owned by Moo Coo Inc. (Ellen and Irwin Kaplan). She paid $5.20 to win.

It was opening day all over again for Webmaster Hanover who won the first race on Saturday and came back just three days later and won again, taking a new seasonal mark of 1:57.1h. The 6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere was driven by Drew Campbell for trainer Brian Lamb and owner Mona Dodd.

Bred by the sport’s leading nursery, Hanover Shoe Farms, Webmaster Hanover paid $8.60 to win.

Several teamsters enjoyed driving doubles on the nine-race card, including Heath Campbell and McGwire Sowers, the 21-year-old up-and-comer who has set up shop in Maine following a successful run at Monticello.

Racing from Cumberland continues Wednesday (May 12), first post 4:15 p.m. For more information go to our website firsttrackscumberland.com and follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 8, 2021 – by Chris Tully

CUMBERLAND, Maine – Saturday’s opening day at Cumberland enjoyed a large crowd and widespread support from on-track punters, as well as simulcast outlets, for the nine-race card.

The first extended pari-mutuel meeting to open in over twenty years that was not owned by a casino enjoyed mild temperatures that brought several hundred people to the Cumberland Fairground’s apron to enjoy a full day of harness racing.

Over nine races, the swiftest of the day went to iconic driver and Maine-native Bruce Ranger who steered 12-year-old Ira Chief to victory for trainer Dennis Whittemore and owner Diane Whittemore in 1:57.2h.  Six races went faster than 2:00 and only two races were won by the betting favorites.

First Tracks Investments CEO Mike Cianchette was pleased that the Maine owners, trainers and drivers supported the inaugural event.

“I am also very grateful to the team at Black Bear Racing and the fans that turned out to enjoy the races.  None of this happens with any one person.  It’s only a success if we all work together.”

Race Secretary Marc Reynolds was equally excited about the energy in the air and enthusiasm of the horsemen.

“The turnout for the crowd was more than anyone expected.  You can feel the electricity in the air with the momentum of Maine harness racing.

Racing from Cumberland continues Tuesday and Wednesday, May 11 & 12, first post 4:15 pm.  Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

May 4, 2021  —  by Chris Tully

CUMBERLAND, ME – The box is open for the Saturday, May 8, opening day at First Tracks Cumberland.  Declarations close on Wed., May 5 at 9 a.m.

In addition, Cumberland Race Secretary Marc Reynolds has posted the condition sheets for a second round of qualifiers (Sat., May 8), to be held at 3 p.m.

Throughout the Spring/Summer race meet, first post for pari-mutuel harness racing will be 4:15 pm.

There will also be a double draw on Sunday, May 9 for the next two Southern Maine race dates, Tuesday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 12. 

As always, the condition sheets are available on the USTA’s website:

http://horsemen.ustrotting.com/conditions/index.cfm

Horsemen are reminded that they must complete and submit a racing application before entering or racing at Cumberland.  The form is available at the following link:

https://firsttrackscumberland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Racing-Application-FirstTracksCumberland-web.pdf

May 1, 2021, by Chris Tully

The first qualifiers at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday morning (May 1) advanced nearly twenty additional horses for the new era of Southern Maine harness racing.

Under sunny skies “catch-drive” announcer Mike Cushing called the action for a total of five races, to the delight of dozens of fans and spectators that lined the outside fence of the iconic Cumberland oval.

The first race of the day went to classy campaigner HOBOKEN HANOVER p,4,1:50.4f ($421,746).  Owned, trained and driven by Charles Eaton III, the 14-year-old son of Cam’s Card Shark has 69 lifetime victories to his credit.

Racing Secretary Marc Reynolds was extremely happy with today’s events.  “I could feel a genuine sense of excitement amongst the horsemen and staff.”

“Our track crew has done a fantastic job with the racing surface itself.  Anyone that was able to tune in to watch would have been impressed with the quality and clarity of the signal.  To me, this is a clear indicator of the level of commitment brought by First Tracks in providing a quality racing product.”

Fastest mile of the day went to PLUS ONE p,1:50.4f ($113,378), a 6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere.  He was driven to a 2:01.1h solo victory by his owner Joseph Burke for trainer Robert Marston.

On the trotting side, the quickest of the day was a 3-year-old Muscle Hill filly named ME TOO BABY 2,1:58.f ($41,720).  Owned and bred by long-time Maine racing icon Thomas Dillion, she tripped the teletimer in 2:05h with driver Matthew Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn.

Clearly a promising day for the future of Maine harness racing, First Tracks Investments LLC eagerly anticipates their opening day card, Saturday, May 8^th with a 4:15 pm post time at the Cumberland Fairgrounds.

Qualifiers will also be held on opening day, Saturday, May 8th at 3 p.m., before the start of the pari-mutuel card.

More information about attendance for opening day will be posted on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com when it becomes available.

April 30, 2021 – First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME — In preparation for the inaugural First Tracks meeting at Cumberland, qualifiers will be held Saturday, May 1 at 11:30 a.m.

Horseman and fans can view the qualifiers on the Race Track Network channel 9749, or select ‘Cumberland Fair’ on the HD streaming platform’s Simulcast Schedule.

The Cumberland 56-day meet gets underway on Saturday, May 8 with a 4:15 p.m. post time. 

The draw for opening day is Wednesday, May 5.  Horsemen must declare their entries by 9:00 a.m.

This year marks the 153^rd season of live harness racing at the Cumberland Fairgrounds in Southern Maine. 

April 28, 2021 – by Chris Tully

CUMBERLAND, ME – When presiding judge Charles Malia first started racing horses there were 17 racetracks in New England.

“I got my start with the Thoroughbreds as a hot walker, then a groom and exercise rider,” noted the retired school teacher.  “In those days there was a lot of opportunity for young people to get into the sport.”

When Scarborough closed for the runners around 1969 he raced for another decade at Suffolk and Rockingham.

Malia said, “I took on project horses.  When others were having difficulty getting one to run, I would buy them and get them turned around.”

By the mid-1980s, much of the flat tracks had evaporated so he made the jump into harness.

“I started as a fan at Scarborough and then bought my first harness horse pretty cheap.  Her name was Race Me Victoria, a Maine-bred mare who turned into an open pacer.  We had a lot of fun.  She won 12 races the year we bought her,” Malia recalls.

Following his retirement from scholastics in 1998, Malia started hanging around the race office at Scarborough when Paul Verrette was a patrol judge.  From there he worked his way up the officiating ladder and was the Presiding Judge when Scarborough closed in 2020.

Excited about the new era, Malia stated, “Maine racing has had a definite feel of insecurity for a period of time.  If things grow with the passion shown by First Tracks Cumberland, Maine horseman will have some security going forward that has been absent for a decade or more.”

Associate Judge Christine Miller echoed those sentiments.  “I am looking forward to serving with First Tracks and this new venture, which will hopefully resurrect Maine harness racing.”

Miller worked at Plainridge for six years as the Testing Barn Supervisor for the state of Massachusetts.  No stranger to the inner workings of the harness game, Miller jumped at the opportunity to attend the USTA’s Racing Officials Accreditation Program.

“It was an immersive and comprehensive seven day course that was held at the Meadows in Pennsylvania in 2017.  Chip Hastings and T.C. Lane were excellent instructors and I left there with the confidence and the knowledge to pursue a second career as a racing official.”

Not one to let her engines idle, Miller also works for a Thoroughbred owner providing marketing services and customer relations.  In addition, Miller and her husband (a third generation horse trainer) operate an Equestrian facility specializing in Hunter/Jumpers where they teach kids how to ride and train show horses.

It was at Plainridge where Christine Miller met a gregarious fellow named Frank DuBreuil.

Originally from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Frank DuBreuil knows just about everyone around New England and has ‘been around forever.’  Truth be told, Frank has been around harness racing for half a century.  He has been an owner, a trainer, a driver and a racing official.

He rubbed his first horse at Foxboro in in the mid-70s, then bought one and shipped to Maine to race.  After several decades of racing horses he landed the position of paddock judge at Plainridge when they reopened in 1999, and held that job through 2015.

A familiar face around New England, Frank works many of the fairs around the state of Maine as an associate judge, presiding judge and sometimes as the assistant racing secretary.

Currently, DuBreuil works the back security gate at Plainridge on Monday, Thursday and Fridays, checking horses in on race days.  Soon, he will trek up I-95 to be the paddock judge at Cumberland on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

DuBreuil knows that it takes a tremendous amount of time and effort to put on a race card, but it also takes good people.  Just ask Mike Timmons, the former chairman of the Maine Harness Racing Commission.

“Aside from the Trainers, Drivers and Caretakers, twenty different people are responsible for facilitating and executing all the necessary steps in getting a horse race to the gate when the starter says GO!”

Having spent decades as the Director of Harness Racing at the Cumberland Fair, he has been instrumental in ensuring that the ‘show goes on.’  Currently, he is the vice president of the Maine Agricultural Association of Fairs, which oversees 26 fairs throughout the state.  He served as president of the Cumberland Fair for 16 years.

When the first horses go behind the gate at First Tracks Cumberland, Timmons will start his new role at his old stomping grounds, that of a USTA accredited Associate Judge.

Once voted the Maine High School Principal of the Year, after retiring from 47 years in education, Timmons moved to a place he first visited in 1953…The Cumberland Fairgrounds, where he now calls home.

“I will have the shortest commute out of any of my colleagues, because I live right on the fairgrounds!”