November 17, 2023 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Judy Ellis photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Now that the Maine Sire Stakes have crowned their champions, many of the star 3-year-old pacers are still itching for action in the Pine Tree State.  Due to an overflowing entry box, two dozen races were carded for Saturday (Nov. 18) and Sunday (Nov. 19), many of which include sophomore pacers who have found their way back to First Tracks Cumberland.

So Rock N’ Roll, a product of the Tardif Taskforce, has found a new home in the Benson Merrill Stable now that Marc and Peggy Tardif have transitioned down to Gilcrest Training Center in Bell, Florida to prepare their next group of starters.  Fresh off a win in his last start, the son of Western Maverick was the second leading point earner in the glamour boys division over the course of the 12-week Maine Sire Stakes season.  Despite having finished worse than second just once in 18 starts this year, earning $170,672, he still has some veterans to overcome in this group.  Reunited with his part-time pilot Kevin Switzer Jr., he has been installed at 6-1 from post five in Saturday’s second race $4,800 conditioned pace with breeder Leighton Property retaining ownership.

His stable mate and arch nemesis Luke McGook, the leading male 3-year-old pacer in Maine, has found a spot in Saturday’s eighth race $5,000 conditioned pace.  Also driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., the son of Rock N’ Roll World is the 7-5 favorite for his Leighton Property owners and scores from post two. A winner of nine races in 15 seasonal outings with $107,979 earned, which includes his victory in the $71,134 Maine Sire Stakes final for the Tardif Stable, he is now trained by Benson Merrill.

In the ninth race $4,000 maiden pace the Maine boys and girls play nice together as fillies Ally Mac (Western Maverick) and Alittlemorebliss (Deuce Seelster) meet geldings Rockaroundsam and Ill Rock The World (both by Rock N’ Roll World) with the dual intention of earning money and a new lifetime mark.

On Sunday’s (Nov. 19) card Katelyn’s Angel (Western Maverick) rounds out the Leighton Property 3-year-old troika.  Kevin Switzer Jr. gets the call on the former Tardif pupil now under the tutelage of Merrill.  The successful earner of $96,060 gets saddled with post eight, but still carries the hopes and dreams of the punters and has been set as the 7-5 first choice.  The filly has 6 wins and 8 seconds in 18 seasonal starts for her connections and should handle this $4,400 fillies and mares conditioned pace rather easily.

Sunday’s card also features the third $4,400 leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC), with the dominant Penny’s Spirit (5-2, McKenzie Sowers) assigned post eight.  The MADC series is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine.  The Blue Seal Feeds company, through the urging of Aimee Nichols the territory manager for Blue Seal Feeds in Maine and the Canadian Maritimes, has made a generous $5,000 donation to the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association to benefit the horse people adversely affected by the recent Tioga Downs barn fire.

Both the Saturday and Sunday cards will have twelve races with full fields.  Wagering options include our Pick 5 starting with the third race; the Pick 4 highlights the ninth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale. 

For the third season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 23.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing or retired 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 and must ‘declare’ by Dec. 6.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

First Tracks Cumberland in Maine races Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of November and will transition to three days each week (adding Fridays) beginning December 1 and continuing through Christmas Eve, 2023.  Post time remains 11 am.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 13, 2023 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Ron Patoine’s Broadway Giant added another victory to his ever-growing win column on Sunday (Nov. 12) at Cumberland, scoring for the second time in as many weeks.

Driven by Bruce Ranger, the 9-year-old son of Broadway Hall left from pylon position with several speedy trotters leaving swiftly for position outside of him.  One horse in a hurry went off stride, leaving Mister Muscle (Aaron Hall) to take command and put the 4-5 favorite into the two-hole.  Wasting little time while heading to the 29.1 opening panel, Ranger pulled the pocket to take the lead.

Following a softer :59.3 second stanza Ranger continued to show the way with Broadway Giant as Little Macabee (Drew Campbell) pulled first over down the backside and into a 1:29.2 third quarter.  Rounding the final turn Little Macabee had dead aim on the leader and was poised to pounce.  But Broadway Giant found another gear and held off the would-be spoiler to prevail by half of a length in 2:00.1 to take the featured opener, a $5,500 conditioned trot.

Owned and trained by Ron Patoine, it was the eighth win of the year for Broadway Giant, and the fourth victory of his last five outings.  He paid $3.80 to win and increased his seasonal earnings to $27,910.  Mister Muscle finished third.

In the winter season’s second leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) owner-trainer-driver McKenzie Sowers scored for the second week in a row with her own Penney’s Spirit in 2:00.2.  Making a bold three-wide move down the backside, the 14-year-old son of Ring Of Life rang the bell again, paying $14.40 to win.  Canbec Kingkazimir (Todd Whitney) finished second; Led Schneppelin (Jason Bertolini) was third.

The MADC series is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine. 

Drew Campbell, Aaron Hall and Bruce Ranger each won two races on the car, with trainer Randy Bickmore picking up a pair as well.  With statistics going back to the beginning of the year, Bruce Ranger leads all reinsmen with 58 victories, followed by Kevin Switzer Jr. (53), Nick Graffam (41), Drew Campbell (40) and Aaron Hall (39).

Racing continues at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (Nov. 18) with an 11 am post time.  First Tracks Cumberland in Maine races Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of November and will transition to three days each week (adding Fridays) beginning December 1 and continuing through Christmas Eve, 2023.

For the third season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 23.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing or retired 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 and must ‘declare’ by Dec. 6.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 12, 2023 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. won four of ten races on Saturday (Nov. 11) at First Tracks Cumberland, including a natural hat trick in the first three legs of the Pick-4.

Switzer Jr. began the day with a pillar-to-post upset in the $4,800 conditioned pace race three with Axion Hanover.  Following a scattering of the field by an early breaker in the first turn, Switzer turned turmoil into triumph by maintaining his pylon position and scooting home in 1:59.  Trained by Mark Harris for owner Gayle Harris, the 4-year-old son of Betting Line paid a whopping $20.20 to win.  Scouts Report (Dan Deslandes) finished second; Lucan Hanover (Aaron Hall) was third.

Saturday’s featured $5,000 conditioned pace in race seven witnessed another upset as Switzer Jr. scored with So It Goes over 1-2 favorite Real Sancho (Drew Campbell) who was looking for win number eight. 

When the wings folded Switzer pushed the 7-year-old son of American Ideal to the top where he set moderate fractions of :29, 1:00, 1:29.1 before holding off the late charge of the favorite to prevail by a head in 2:00.  So It Goes is owned and trained by Brian Lamb and paid $12.60 to win.  Swellendam (Dan Deslandes) finished third.

Switzer won his next two outings with Bush Man N ($4.60, 1:58.1) for trainer Benson Merrill and Pembroke Legend ($11.00, 2:03) for owner-conditioner Jason Leal.

Driver Drew Campbell won two races on the card, with a different trainer winning each of the ten races on the late morning-early afternoon program.

Racing continues at Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (Nov. 12) with an 11 am post time.  First Tracks Cumberland in Maine races Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of November and will transition to three days each week (adding Fridays) beginning December 1 and continuing through Christmas Eve, 2023.

For the third season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 23.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing or retired 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 and must ‘declare’ by Dec. 6.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

–30–

November 6, 2023 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – When live harness racing resumed at Maine’s Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (Nov. 5) one of the state’s top pacers, The Bird Dance N, continued his winning ways, grabbing the $6,000 featured pace in 1:56.4.

Driven by Dan Deslandes, the anxious 8-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance took an unfamiliar position in the back of the pack as Aaron Hall scooted to the front with Bush Man N while setting an opening panel of :28.  As the field approached the half Deslandes picked up the cover of Rocksapatriot (Dave Ingraham) in a softer :57.3 second stanza.

Hall worked gallantly to keep Bush Man N on the muscle on the front end, but by the 1:27 third quarter the challengers started to swell up and The Bird Dance N charged three-wide on the outside around the final turn.  Once he was fed racetrack The Bird Man N sealed the deal with a :29.2. final quarter, besting Rocksapatriot by three parts of a length. 

Owned by Jose Cervantes and trained by Karl Butterfield, it was the ninth win of the season for the favorite who paid $3.20 to win.  Bush Man N hung on for third.

The co-featured $5,000 conditioned paces were captured by Western Stepp (Bruce Ranger, $8.80, 1:59.1) over the favored Wolverina (Nick Graffam) and Trente Deo (Dan Rawlings, $8.40, 1:56.4) who tied for the swiftest mile of the day.  Jax Spratt won the $4,800 featured trot in 2:01.1, paying a whopping $25.80 to win.  Owned by Bill Phipps, he was trained and driven by Aaron Hall.

The opening round of Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) action was won by Penney’s Spirit in 2:01.1.  Owned, trained and driven by McKenzie Sowers, the 14-year-old Maine-bred son of Ring Of Life picked up his second win of the year, paying $8.80 to win.  Bob Nadeau’s local fan favorite Putnam’s Storm, also 14-years young, finished second.  Led Schneppelin (Jason Bertolini) was third.

The popular MADC series continues to be sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine. 

Nick Graffam and Aaron Hall each piloted two winners on the early program, however a different conditioner captured each of the ten races.   The wagering exceeded $107,000 in total handle and there was a $745 carryover in the Hi-Five Pentafecta and $422 in the Pick-4.

For the third season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revior Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 23.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing or retired 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 and must ‘declare’ by Dec. 6.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting, which enjoys weekend action next Saturday and Sunday (Nov.11 & 12).  Post time each day is set at 11 am.  Cumberland (Maine) will race three days each week beginning December 1 and continue through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) 2023.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

November 3, 2023 – by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Racing resumes at the iconic Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (Nov. 5) for the first of 19 Southern Maine racing dates, knows as the “Winter Festival,” with some of the Pine Tree State’s top pacers kicking off the ten race card.

The featured $6,000 conditioned pace includes former track record holder Rocksapatriot p,4,1:51 ($238,661), who was bred by Maine resident Stephen J. Farrell, Jr. and is owned by his dad Stephen J. Farrell.  Trained by Kelly Case and driven by ‘Double-Digit’ Dave Ingraham, the 8-year-old son of Rockincam has seven victories this season and 30 lifetime.  He has been installed as the 5-2 second choice from post position two.

The favorite is The Bird Dance N, who is coming off of a win at Bangor with Dan Deslandes handling the lines.  He is 3-2 from post four for trainer Karl Butterfield.  The New Zealand-bred son of A Rocknroll Dance has eight wins this year and $57,241 earned, which includes several signature events.

The second race marks the return of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC), a consortium of harness racing enthusiasts who race all over the state for fun and bragging rights.  Former national amateur driving champion Todd Whitney steers the favorite Harry Terror (6-5, post 5) for owner-trainer Michelle Lefebvre.  Some local favorites round out the cast of characters, including: Forward Bliss (Doug Gray); Putnams Storm (Bob Nadeau), Road Untraveled (Benson Merrell), and Led Schnepplin (Jason Bertolini).

Once again, the MADC series is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine. 

Former Maine Sire Stakes champion filly Wolverina p,4,1:52f ($311,958) has a homecoming of sorts, as she leads a field of distaffs in the $5,000 co-featured race six.  Bred, trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam and driven by Nick Graffam, the talented 4-year-old daughter of Cheyenne Hollywood earned nearly $200,000 last season in Maine and Mass.

Overall, the entire card has a lot of action for horse players with nine events boasting full seven or eight horse fields.  The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the seventh, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale. 

For the third season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revior Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 23.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing or retired 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 and must ‘declare’ by Dec. 6.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

Racing continues at First Tracks Cumberland for our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting, which enjoys weekend action next Saturday and Sunday (Nov.11 & 12).  Cumberland will race three days each week beginning December 1 and continues through Christmas Eve, 2023.

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

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

October 2, 2023, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Switzer clan enjoyed success on the closing day of the record-breaking Cumberland Fair harness racing meet on Sunday (Oct. 1) with several familial victories and a couple of fast miles.

Kevin Switzer Jr. got things going with a score in the fourth race driving Brian Lamb’s We’re Gonna Rock to a 1:59.1 front-end tour, paying $3.40 in the $5,000 conditioned pace.

In the same conditioned class for ‘winless in 2023’ pacers, Switzer Jr. came first over to blast home by 7-3/4 lengths with his father’s Bettor At Hightide.

The 1:55.1 romp was the first win of the season for the 6-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight.  Trained by ‘Big’ Kevin Switzer for owner KDK Standardbreds, it was the tenth lifetime victory for the horse with $238,033 career earnings.  Bettor At Hightide paid $2.80 to win.

‘Little’ Kevin got his third driving victory of the program while sitting behind his sister’s horse, Mike’s Powerhouse in 1:57.4.  Trained and co-owned by Candace Brandstatter with Ryan Hall, the 11-year-old son of Camluck took the lion’s share of the $7,000 purse, bringing his lifetime earnings to $343,811.  He paid $6.00 for the victory.

Bruizn upset in the $7,000 top trot of the day in 2:01.1.  Driven by Walter Case Jr. for trainer Kim Ireland and owners Dennis and Deborah Foss, the 9-year-old son of Musclini paid a hefty $30.40.

‘Too Tough’ Todd Whitney took the $6,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club race using a three-wide down the backside move to secure the victory with YS Sunshine in 1:59.2.  Trained and owned by Michelle Lefebvre, he paid $5.20 to win.

The Cumberland Fair harness racing meet is facilitated by First Tracks Cumberland and Black Bear Racing on behalf of the Cumberland Farmers Club and enjoyed record attendance and handle during the seven-day meet.

First Tracks Cumberland’s winter festival reconvenes on Sunday, November 5, abiding by a weekend racing schedule through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).  Winter post times will be 11 a.m.

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

October 1, 2023, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Maine faithful were out in force on Saturday (Sept. 30) when the Pine Tree State-bred freshmen battled for bragging rights in the $200,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes finals for 2-year-olds on the closing day of the iconic Cumberland Fair.

The swiftest stakes race of the afternoon program was captured by Gowestyounggrace in 1:59.4 taking the $51,023 final for frosh filly pacers.

Driven by Dave Ingraham for trainer and owners/breeders Fred Ward Jr. and Sharon Ward, the homebred daughter of Western Maverick and wagering favorite worked hard to get to the top.

When the wings folded 8-5 second choice Who’s Perfect (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) dashed out for the lead with Summertime (Steve Wilson) and Mrs Foxy Roxy (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) settling into the second and third positions, respectively.

Just after the field hit the :28.1 opening panel Ingraham had Gowestyounggrace out and rolling through the turn and while passing the stands the aggressor had made up nearly six lengths and was looking the leader right in the eye.

That :59 second stanza breather was neither a benefit, nor a detriment, to the advancing Gowestyounggrace as she got to within a whisker of the lead as Who’s Perfect was valiantly trying to gain some separation at the 1:28.1 third station.

With the rest of the herd smelling blood in the water and racing for second, Ingraham took charge and scooted home by a very comfortable 3-1/2 lengths, with the final time just a fifth of a second off the filly’s lifetime best.  Gowestyounggrace paid $4.00 to win her fifth race of the season.

Summertime finished second; My Sweet Revenge (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) was third.

When the boys got busy in the $51,023 Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old colt and gelding pace final, it was the tactical steer by Ron Cushing that rewarded the connections of Hesjustadelight with the champion’s trophy.

At the start Kevin Switzer Jr. driving 4-5 favorite Two Fold Cold (Marc Tardif) from the dreaded post eight was literally forced to leave and continued moving up to grab the lead just past the :29.2 opening panel.

Alertly, Cushing was anticipating the scenario and was content in the pocket while Dave Ingraham pulled Oakleypopsthedeuce first over into a :59.2 half.  While that put Cushing and Hesjustadelight in a box, the veteran reinsman sat chilly through the 1:30 third station.

As the field rounded the final turn daylight emerged for Cushing as he found racing room and set his sails into the wind and let the son of Western Maverick’s final brush take him home a winner in 2:01.4.

Trained by Heidi Cushing and owned by Ron Cushing, (breeder) Lynn-Marie Plouffe, Anthony and Joseph Romanelli, it was the gelding’s fourth win of the season.  He paid $5.40 to win.

Two Fold Cold finished second; Justcallmebuck (Gary Hall) was third.

In the $50,567 Maine Sire Stakes final for 2-year-old trotting fillies it was

Pembroke Breeze who emerged victorious.  Trained by Valerie Grondin and driven by Heath Campbell, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger is owned and was bred by Bill Varney.  She paid $3.40 to win in 2:07, giving her four seasonal victories. 

Bernie’s Legacy (Ivan Davies) finished second; My Saving Grace (Mark & Gretchen Athearn) was third.

Before the card was the $50,421 Maine Sire Stakes for freshmen trotting colts and geldings, which completed a sweep of the trotting splits for the aforementioned connections.  Pembroke Will was driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin and owner/breeder Bill Varney with the son of Pembroke Slugger taking a new lifetime mark of 2:08.3 in the process.

Stable mate Chipper Dale (Valerie Grondin) finished second; Carrabassett (Athearn) was third.

Racing concludes at the Cumberland Fair with a special 11 am post time for Sunday (Oct. 1), where the first 100 patrons that purchase a program will receive a $5 betting voucher. 

First Tracks Cumberland’s winter festival reconvenes on Sunday, November 5, abiding by a weekend racing schedule through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).  Winter post times will be 11 a.m.

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

September 30, 2023, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two $15,000-plus divisions of Pine Tree State-sired sophomore pacers highlighted the Friday (Sept. 29) program at Cumberland Fair, with the speedy side-steppers performing in their penultimate legs of the rich Maine Sire Stakes.

Once again, the Tardif Taskforce showed that they are indeed a force to be reckoned with.

In the $15,209 opener for the glamour boys division, aka 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, the Kevin Switzer Jr.-driven Twice The Ice took matters into his own hands and discarded his previous ‘off the pace’ style for the reinsman’s preferred method of ‘catch me if you can.’

Leaving from post two, ‘Switz’ had the son of Deuce Seelster right on the engine from the start and set opening fractions of :29.4 and 1:00.4.

Allowing for that brief respite going to the half, Switzer Jr. stepped on the gas as stable mate Anithingforyoudear (Dan Deslandes-Marc Tardif) had moved first over and was looking the pacesetter right in the eye at the 1:30.1 third panel.

Stride for stride, toe to toe, head to head, the pair battled down the Cumberland stretchm, with neither foe giving or taking an inch.  When the finish wire finally arrived it was the cool character Twice The Ice that prevailed by a nose in 2:00.

Grabbing his second win of the season for owner-trainer Marc Tardif, it was the colt’s first victory since July 1.  Perhaps peaking at the right time, the Gary and Kristina Hall-bred colt was also being driven by Switzer for the first time in recent memory.  He paid $6.20 to win.

Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall-Valerie Grondin) finished third.

The fairer set competed for the $15,193 3-year-old filly pace, with heavy favorite Pickmepickme taking this one in dominant fashion.

Leaving from post five, regular pilot Andy Harrington had the daughter of Western Maverick settle into fourth position after the start and a :29 opening panel which was set by Ally Mac and Bruce Ranger.

Heading to the 1:00 second stanza, Harrington moved his filly to the top and never looked back, scoring in 2:00 by a measured length.  She paid $2.20 to win as the odds-on choice.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, it was the top filly’s sixth seasonal victory and third in a row.  She now sports lifetime earnings of $147,316.

La Mambacita (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished second; Justcallmemimi (Walter Case Jr.-Mike Graffam) was third.

Harness racing at Cumberland Fair continues at 1:30 pm on Saturday (Sept. 20) with all four $50,000-plus divisional Maine Sire Stakes freshmen finals. The popular Cumberland Derby is also back, and will be offered on race seven, where fans that participate have a chance to win $500 in cash prizes.

Racing continues with a special 11 am post time for Sunday (Oct. 1), where the first 100 patrons that purchase a program will receive a $5 betting voucher. 

First Tracks Cumberland’s winter festival reconvenes on Sunday, November 5, abiding by a weekend racing schedule through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).  Winter post times will be 11 a.m.

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

September 28, 2023, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine-sired sophomore trotters got their day in the spotlight on Wednesday (Sept. 27) at Cumberland Fair, with the diagonally gaited set giving fans and bettors some thrilling finishes to cheer about.

The Tardif Taskforce sent Outlawofthevalley into the $14,941 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings, with the underdog finally getting some bragging rights over his nemesis and wagering favorite Wabanaki (Ivan Davies).

Although it is a friendly rivalry, it has been a season-long battle between two of the best male sophomore trotters in the Pine Tree State, with Wabanaki holding a three win lead over Outlawofthevalley.  However the latter reduced that margin to two as his regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. sent the son of Pembroke Slugger right out to the lead from post four, dashing to a :29.2 opening panel.

Following a 1:00.4 half-mile breather Outlawofthevalley was prompted to a 1:29.4 third stanza and put five lengths between himself and his pursuers, with Wabanaki leading the rest of the pack.   At the head of the stretch Davies had Wabanaki with two spans of the pacesetter and continued to gain ground.

The wire came just in time for Outlawofthevalley who prevailed by a nose in 2:00, a new lifetime best.

Owned and bred by Leighton Property, it was his fourth seasonal victory and paid his backers $9.60 for the win.

Pembroke Traveler (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished third.

In the $14,952 3-year-old filly trot, Ivan Davies had his star distaff Wild Ending in gear and on point and sent her out to a wire-to-wire romp in 2:02.3, winning by five open lengths.

Owned by Anita ‘Bunny’ Anastosopoulos-Andrew, and bred by the late Mike Andrew, it was Wild Ending’s seventh win of the season, where she paid $2.20 to win as the heavy favorite.

She’salilbitmouthy (Mike Cushing) finished second; Melania’s Best (John Nason) was third.

‘Double Digit’ Dave Ingraham scored three times on the afternoon program, however none of those victories entered the double digit category.

Harness racing at Cumberland Fair continues at 1:30 pm on Friday (Sept. 29) with a special 11 am finale slated for Sunday (Oct. 1). 

Maine Sire Stakes returns with the 3-year-old pacers on Friday (Sept. 29).  The highlight of the week will be all four $50,000-plus divisional Maine Sire Stakes freshmen finals on Saturday (Sept. 30), with three of the divisions on the talent-packed 13-race card, and one early non-bettor at 1:10 pm.

First Tracks Cumberland’s winter festival reconvenes on Sunday, November 5, abiding by a weekend racing schedule through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).  Winter post times will be 11 a.m.

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

September 27, 2023, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Up-and-coming reinsman Winter Asher-Stalbaum won the swiftest race of the day with Zack Vickerson’s Beach Fire K in 1:55.1 on Tuesday (Sept. 26) at Cumberland Fair.

The 6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere, driven by the 19-year-old Asher Stalbaum, made every call a winning one.  While setting fractions of :27, 56.2 and 1:24.4, the pair gained eight lengths on the rest of the field through the third panel.  Down the stretch Make Some Waves (Walter Case Jr.) had shortened that margin down to a length before the wire arrived and the pacesetter prevailed.

Trained and co-owned by Zach Vickerson with Haley Karken, he paid $10.80 to win the $5,200 conditioned pace.  Make Some Waves finished second; Lexus With a View A (Chris Long) was third.

Airspinder won the $6,000 feature 1:57.4 for driver Dan Deslandes and owner-trainer David Sawyer.  He paid $4.80 to win.

Driver Chris Long won three races on the afternoon card, which was the third day of racing at the Fair.  Walter Case Jr. and Aaron Hall won a pair each.

Harness racing at Cumberland Fair continues at 1:30 pm on Wednesday (Sept. 27) with full cards scheduled through Sunday (Oct. 1).  A special post time of 11 am is slated for that final date.  There is no racing on Thursday (Sept. 28).

There will be a live draw for the Freshmen Finals on Wednesday (Sept. 27) at 12:30 pm.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes returns with 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Sept. 27), and then roll into the 3-year-old pacers on Friday (Sept. 29).  The highlight of the week will be all four $40,000-plus divisional Maine Sire Stakes freshmen finals on Saturday (Sept. 30).

First Tracks Cumberland’s winter festival reconvenes on Sunday, November 5, abiding by a weekend racing schedule through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).  Winter post times will be 11 a.m.

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