Horsemen that would like to race horses at First Tracks Cumberland in May are required to complete a Racing Application prior to racing. The first Qualifiers are slated for this Saturday, May 1, with opening day the following Saturday (May 8).
Download the application from the First Tracks Cumberland website at the following link:
Be sure to stay up to date on all the latest racing information … join the GROUP TEXT list for Cumberland.
Simply click the link below, fill in your name and phone number!
April 22, 2021 – by Chris Tully
CUMBERLAND, ME – Throughout a harness racing career that has spanned nearly five decades, Scott Ehrlich finds himself back where it all started: behind the microphone calling the action in Southern Maine.
Tapped as the new voice of First Tracks Cumberland, the self-taught handicapper and racing enthusiast said, “Things are ‘looking up’ when I am looking down from high atop the grandstand. It’s where I have always loved to be.”
Somewhat of a familiar tone around the state of Maine, Ehrlich has been the back-up announcer at the popular Fryeburg Fair for the last ten years.
But Ehrlich is no stranger to the announcer’s booth having been the primary race caller over the years at Cal Expo, Balmoral and Maywood.
“Much of my early success I owe to Phil Langley, who advocated for me with Billy Johnston and got me into his tracks to announce full time,” Ehrlich remembers fondly. “I grew up in Chicago so it was a great honor work at these prestigious raceways.”
He has also provided backup at tracks throughout the Northeast and Midwest.
It was at Quad City Downs where he got his first big break, calling those races from the late 80s to the mid-90s.
The knowledgeable and affable Ehrlich will also provide live pre-race analysis as well as racing recap publicity for this new era in Maine harness competition.
While Scott is looking forward to his role as the on-air handicapper, he exclaims that he is no ‘average Joe,’ “I like to provide insight that you won’t see in the program…trip notes, time adjustments, etc.”
“From me, you won’t see the generic stuff. Not only will you get my picks, but you get why.”
Ehrlich calls upon his wide range of experiences when working in the industry. Not only are his tip-sheets sought after, but in some instances he has outfitted the horses that he picks!
“I realized that a niche needed to be filled so I started and now am proud to be in my fifth year as owner/operator of Expo Tack shop, serving horsemen and women with horse equipment on the backstretch of Cal Expo,” stated Ehrlich.
In addition, he also owns a few horses. Scott says that, “Since I watch/called what seems like a million races, you get to know what each horse likes/dislikes. Additionally, you become well aware of the trainers and their abilities, not to mention the drivers, as well as little things like current race-bikes, to not so current.”
“And when a horse I see might be racing for a low percentage trainer, and/or driver, and perhaps on a smaller track that doesn’t fit their style, that’s when I’ll buy or claim a horse, who almost assuredly is a closer. You’ll never see me acquire a horse from a top stable that uses a high percentage driver. What advantage is that? I’ve always tried to buy them fairly cheap, and turn them into something good. I’m lucky that it has happened a few times.”
So what else does a guy do that wears several hats in an industry that is spread out from coast-to-coast?
“Time with family of course,” Ehrlich adds. “When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my wife Lisa of 25 years, my three children and two grandchildren.”
To watch one of Scott Ehrlich’s favorite race calls, the 2004 Dan Patch from Balmoral Park, go to:
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April 19, 2021 – by Chris Tully
CUMBERLAND, ME — Marc Reynolds has owned horses for thirty years and intends to bring that passion and knowledge of Standardbreds into the fledgling race office at First Tracks Cumberland.
Reynolds was hired as the new Racing Secretary for the upcoming race meet and the Maine native couldn’t be happier.
“I have always loved the harness racing in Maine. I grew up in the Bangor area and I often attended the live racing cards at the Bass Park Facility. In addition I spent much time (with my Dad) on the road travelling to all of Maine’s agricultural fair tracks.”
Reynolds continued, “I enjoyed it so much that I bought in on my first horse when I was just 18. From that point on I was bitten by the bug.”
That bug’s name was Sid’s Champ, a gelding by Allwin Steady that was racing in $2,000 claimers at the Skowhegan Fair
From that point Marc continued to improve his stock while simultaneously working in the auto industry. Later, Reynolds spent over a decade working as a mortgage professional.
“Eleven years ago I went to the annual Harrisburg Standardbred horse sale and met Mark Weaver [Burke Brigade]”
Reynolds explained, “We quickly hit it off and started talking about racehorses and private sales. That conversation turned into several horses being bought and sold between us and an eventual friendship. A few years later I decided to start working full time as a self-employed bloodstock agent.”
The 47-year-old now calls Saratoga Springs his new hometown.
“I moved to the Spa so I could be closer to my racehorses, and just fell in love with the area and met my soon-to-be wife.”
But the call of the racetrack didn’t stop there.
From 2014 through 2016 Marc Reynolds wore a variety of hats at Bangor Raceway under the tutelage of Racing Secretary Fred Nichols. He stepped into a role as ‘fill-in’ announcer, as well as helping out around the race office.
That experience served him well as Reynolds aims to bring his appetite for harness racing back to Maine.
“I want to incentivize horse ownership in the state of Maine. The Cumberland Track really injects some new life into the sport in Maine and I am committed to helping the race office become part of that renaissance.”
Harness racing passion really does start at the fairs.
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – by Chris Tully
CUMBERLAND, ME –With the 153rd season of harness racing at the iconic Cumberland Fairgrounds kicking off Saturday, May 8th the Cumberland, Maine harness track has launched a new website and social media page on Facebook.
First Tracks Cumberland has secured 56 racing dates for 2021 with the Spring/Summer cards set for a post time of 4:15 pm (EDT).
A full calendar can be found at https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/
Live harness racing will be held Tuesdays and Saturdays through July 31. First Tracks Cumberland collaborated with Bangor in the North and Plainridge in the South to ensure that horsemen had seamless racing opportunities with no overlap.
Racing starts back in November for the Winter Festival, post time 11 a.m. for three, and sometimes four days per week, through December 31.
Be sure to follow First Tracks Cumberland on Facebook @FirstTracksCumberland for all the racing previews, staff profiles and updated information.
