May 24, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Walter Case Jr. enjoyed a grand slam of victories on Friday (May 23) at Cumberland Raceway, which included a score in the $5,500 featured trot with Empereurthebest FR.

The muddy going did not deter the winner of 11,501 races from making the best of the off track, where the judges listed a four second allowance.

Case sprung from the gate from post two and set a snappy :30.1 opening panel to take command in the top trot, and kept the French-bred gelding on point through a softer 1:03.2 half.  The outer flow began down the backstretch with Pembroke Honcho (17-1, Heath Campbell) flushing the cover of 39-1 longshot Valyrian Steel and Dave Ingraham. 

While the pack was chasing the leader into the 1:35.3 third quarter the 1-2 favorite Big Al M (Zach Vickerson) found himself third over and trying to get into the mix. Around the final turn the pressure began to mount upon the leader.  Case then loosened his grip ever so slightly and Empereurthebest FR responded with a closing kick, drawing away from the field to win by 3-1/4 lengths in 2:07.

Trained by James Dunn for owner Stanley Bubier Jr., it was the third win of the season for the 11-year-old son of Un Amour D’haufor, which raised his lifetime bankroll to $344,604.  He paid $6.60 to win.

Inquiring Mind (Steve Wilson) finished second; Pembroke Honcho was third.

Walter Case Jr., the 9^th leading driver on the all-time dash winning list among active drivers, also scored with: Rose Run Xander (2:06.1, $9.60), Royalty Again (2:02.3, $22.60), and Beach Director (2:06.2, $6.60). The latter pair were trained by Randy Bickmore, giving Case a total of four driving wins on the soggy afternoon.

Speaking of four, McGwire Sowers steered Vel Miss Taylor to her fourth victory in a row, in a wire to wire romp in 2:03.1.  The 5-year-old daughter of Ponder is trained by Autym Robinson for Mo Coo Inc., and paid $6.80.

Andrew Harrington (also the trainer) and Steve Wilson enjoyed a pair of victories on the program.

Looking ahead, Saturday’s (May 24) card carries 11 events with the popular $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event slated as race four.  Zach Vickorson drives the 9-5 favorite Dark Matter from post two, followed by second choice Ten Beaches Later (3-1) with Hunter Lofthus who is the current point leader in the series.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine. 

In the $5,500 featured eighth race conditioned pace, the powerful Autym Robinson stable sends out Hypnoticdream (2-1, McGwire Sowers) from post four.  The 8-year-old son of Hypnotic Blue Chip emigrates from the Bay State and should be the one to beat in here.  His primary threat will come in the form of Gabe Hanover (5-2, Walter Case Jr.) who took a 1:51.3f record last season, and is still looking to break into the win column this year.

Next week’s (Tuesday) draw includes several lucrative late closing series to choose from, most with $12,500 finals.  Three events start on May 31 and continue through the month of June.  More information can be found on our website, 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 2.

May 22, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Over the last six weeks Cumberland Raceway has enjoyed brisk participation on both the racetrack and at the windows on Fridays, and this week is no exception.  The upcoming program has five of eleven races dedicated to the diagonal gate.  With Memorial Day weekend the unofficial start of summer, both the Friday (May 23) and Saturday (May 24) cards will show that charcoal grills won’t be the only things getting fired up!

A sure sign of summer is the return of the training-driving team of Valerie Grondin and Heath Campbell.  Back from their Bell, Florida enclave, and following a few outings down the Turnpike, the Pine Tree State stalwarts bring last season’s Maine Sire Stakes sophomore trotting filly champion Pembroke Breeze to Cumberland for a confidence builder. 

The 4-year-old daughter of Pembroke Slugger takes on a slew of older geldings in the $4,800 fourth race conditioned trot, and is listed as the 2-1 early morning line favorite.  With 8 wins in 11 starts last year and over $114,000 earned, the talented distaff is sure to cause some gusty winds at the windows.  She is now owned by Brenda Varney, and was bred in Maine by the late industry leader Bill Varney.

Friday’s card also features the $5,500 fifth race conditioned trot with Empereurthebest FR (2-1, Walter Case Jr.) looking for a softer landing after chasing tougher company at Plainridge.  Trained by James Dunn, the French-bred trotter made it look easy winning in 2:00 flat from post seven last month.  The 5-2 second choice on the morning line is Big Al M (Zach Vickerson) who was parked the last half and still won his last start.  The 9-2 third choice is Inquiring Mind (Steve Wilson) who moves up in class after a decisive victory last week.

In the $4,800 tenth race mare pace, Vel Miss Taylor (8-5, McGwire Sowers) puts her three-race winning streak on the line against fan favorite and former Maine Sire Stakes champion Gowestyounggrace (5-2, Dave Ingraham) who is also coming off a victory.

The action kicks off at 3:15 pm on Friday, with a Trifecta in every race and also includes several exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

Saturday’s (May 24) card also carries 11 events with the popular $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event slated as race four.  Zach Vickorson drives the 9-5 favorite Dark Matter from post two, followed by second choice Ten Beaches Later (3-1) with Hunter Lofthus who is the current point leader in the series.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine. 

In the $5,500 featured eighth race conditioned pace, the powerful Autym Robinson stable sends out Hypnoticdream (2-1, McGwire Sowers) from post four.  The 8-year-old son of Hypnotic Blue Chip emigrates from the Bay State and should be the one to beat in here.  His primary threat will come in the form of Gabe Hanover (5-2, Walter Case Jr.) who took a 1:51.3f record last season, and is still looking to break into the win column this year.

Next week’s (Tuesday) draw includes several lucrative late closing series to choose from, most with $12,500 finals.  Three events start on May 31 and continue through the month of June.  More information can be found on our website, 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 2.

May 18, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Beyond The Past was much the best in the $5,500 featured pace at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (May 17), showing his heels to the field in an effortless score.

Driven by perennial leading reinsman Bruce Ranger, the 6-year-old son of JK Endofanera had pylon position from the start and never once saw the back of helmet during the rest of the winning performance.  Setting opening fractions of :28.3 and :58.2, the victor had Dinner Party (7-1, Drew Campbell) at his back through both circuits.

After reaching the third panel in 1:27 Ranger let out a notch and started to gain some separation with Beyond The Past as the pair moved swiftly away from the field and tripped the timer in 1:55.4.  The win established a new seasonal mark, with the margin of victory listed as three lengths.

Trained by Bob Marston for owner John DiAntonio Jr., it was Beyond The Past’s second victory in his last three starts, and 15^th of his career.  The score brought his lifetime bankroll up to $137,918, and he paid a nice $11.80 for the triumph.

Dinner Party tracked along to be second; Sixfingerfreddie (13-1, McGwire Sowers) was third.

Another swift, upper class event witnessed Axion Hanover score by a neck in the $4,800 conditioned pace for driver Drew Campbell in 1:57.2.  Trained by Mark Harris for owner Gayle Harris, the 6-year-old son of Betting Line paid $11.40 to win.  Favorite Always At My Place (6-5, Zach Vickerson) finished second.

Hunter Lofthus returned to his winning ways taking this week’s Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event with Maximus in 1:59.2.  The $4,000 purse attracted a full field, but they were no match for the Benson Merrill-trained 9-year-old son of Sportsmaster as he was parked for the entire first lap from post eight and drew off to win by 2-1/2 lengths.  They paid $10.00 for the victory.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine. 

There was another ‘triple double’ on the afternoon program, with drivers Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. each enjoying a hat trick.  Trainers Benson Merrill and Bob Marston both harnessed a pair of winners.  After 12 cards of the spring meeting at Cumberland, the leading driver is McGwire Sowers with 21 wins, followed by Nick Graffam (18), Drew Campbell (16), Bruce Ranger (12) and Kevin Switzer Jr. (11).  The top conditioner is Autym Robinson with 17 wins, followed by Benson Merrill (11) and Andy Harrington (9).

Racing reconvenes at Cumberland on Friday (May 23) at 3:15 pm.

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland will be offering horsemen several lucrative late closing series to choose from, most with $12,500 finals, throughout the month of June.  More information can be found on our website, 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 2.

May 17, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Gowestyounggrace, last season’s Maine Sire Stakes champion sophomore pacing filly, returned to her winning ways at Cumberland Raceway on Friday (May 16), showing her fans and connections that she still loves to race.

When the wings folded under sunny skies there was a mad dash for the top between Cash Crazy Express (4-1, Drew Campbell) and Oceanview Echo (15-1, Bruce Ranger), who ultimately took command in a swift :28 seconds flat.

With the $5,000 Fillies and Mares conditioned pacers stretched out considerably down the backside the outer flow was forced to develop going into a softer :58.1 half mile marker.  Miss Trixtster (3-1, Nick Graffam) was the first in line, followed by Maggie At Bat (2-1, Aaron Hall) and Gowestyounggrace (8-5, Dave Ingraham) in fifth, and third over, back 5-3/4 lengths.

Down the backstretch for the final time the field was stacked up into a fast 1:26.4 third stanza, with Gowestyounggrace poised to pounce three deep.  With a sling shot move off the final turn, and gaining ground with every stride, Ingraham had the 4-year-old daughter of Western Maverick blazing a path to the wire down the center of the racetrack.

Gowestyounggrace caught the new leaders and prevailed by three parts of a length in 1:57.2.  Owned, trained and bred by Sharon Ward (with Fred Ward Jr.), it was the mare’s first win of the season, in just her second outing.  She paid $5.40 to win, and now has $210,104 in career earnings with 18 victories.

Maggie At Bat finished second; Miss Trixster was third.

The featured $5,500 conditioned trot was captured by Big Al M in 2:00.2 for owner, trainer, driver Zach Vickerson, in a grinding first over trip.  Parked the entire last half, it was his second win in his last three starts, paying just $2.80 as the heavy favorite.  The 7-year-old son of Anders Bluestone now has 24 lifetime wins with $479,415 in earnings.

McStoned Again (5-2, McGwire Sowers) finished second; J S Peyton (7-1,Ranger) who cut the mile, hung on for third.

There was a ‘triple double’ on the afternoon program, with driver Nick Graffam winning two races for trainer Jamie Gerard; McGwire Sowers grabbed a pair harnessed by Autym Robinson; and Dave Ingraham also won the opener with Kelly Case’s Mr Apples 3-year-old Greysons Pacin.

Racing continues on Saturday (May 17) at 3:15 pm and includes several exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts. 

Saturday’s (May 17) card also carries 11 events, and every race has a full eight horse field.  The opener hosts the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event, and the $4,000 purse attracted some new participants.  The favorite, Hoosier Shark (2-1, Todd Whitney) scores from pylon position and should be tough from that spot.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine. 

The state’s better pacers meet in the $5,500 eighth race conditioned pace.  Last week’s winner and former Maine champion Two Fold Cold (2-1, Dave Ingraham) will be the one to beat in this battle of the big guns.  Another former Maine standout, Call Me Maverick (7-1, Mike Stevenson) takes his seasonal bow for trainer Alison Hynes of the Gordon Corey Institute of Equine Erudition.

Wagering on the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown, will be available at Cumberland on Saturday.  Doors open at 12 noon for the simulcast from Pimlico in Baltimore, MD.  Printed programs are also available for the flats track races.

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland will be offering horsemen several lucrative late closing series to choose from, most with $12,500 finals, throughout the month of June.  More information can be found on our website, 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 2.

May 15, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – With Cumberland Raceway the only track in the Pine Tree State that is racing this week, both the Friday (May 16) and Saturday (May 17) cards at the iconic Southern Maine oval are chock full of opportunity. 

Friday’s card boasts 11 races, all with either 7 or 8 horse fields.  The $5,500 feature is the eighth race conditioned trot with last week’s victor, McStoned Again (3-1, McGwire Sowers) looking to capitalize on his inside position.  The slight 5-2 morning line favorite is Big Al M who had a win against a similar group two starts ago and looks to mirror that performance with his owner-trainer Zach Vickerson at the controls.  The 7-2 third choice is J S Peyton (Bruce Ranger) who puts his two-race winning streak on the line in the start of the Pick 4.

The action kicks off at 3:15 pm on Friday, with a Trifecta in every race and also includes several exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

Saturday’s (May 17) card also carries 11 events, and every race has a full eight horse field.  The opener hosts the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event, and the $4,000 purse attracted some new participants.  The favorite, Hoosier Shark (2-1, Todd Whitney) scores from pylon position and should be tough from that spot.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine. 

The state’s better pacers meet in the $5,500 eighth race conditioned pace.  Last week’s winner and former Maine champion Two Fold Cold (2-1, Dave Ingraham) will be the one to beat in this battle of the big guns.  Another former Maine standout, Call Me Maverick (7-1, Mike Stevenson) takes his seasonal bow for trainer Alison Hynes of the Gordon Corey Institute of Equine Erudition.

Wagering on the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown, will be available at Cumberland on Saturday.  Doors open at 12 noon for the simulcast from Pimlico in Baltimore, MD.  Printed programs are also available for the flats track races.

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland will be offering horsemen several lucrative late closing series to choose from, most with $12,500 finals, throughout the month of June.  More information can be found on our website, 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 2.

May 11, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – As the Pine Tree State’s horse people prepare for the start of the Maine Sire Stakes in a few weeks, a pair of the lucrative program’s graduates added to their respective bankrolls on Saturday (May 10) at Cumberland Raceway.

Perhaps last season’s best known pacer was Two Fold Cold who dominated his 3-year-old colt division with an impressive 12 for 12 seasonal tally.  Trained and owned by Marc Tardif during his unblemished campaign, the son of Deuce Seelster earned $140,772 and took a mark of 1:55.2 on the historic Bass Park half-mile oval.

Tardif has retained ownership, however his industrious taskforce is concentrating on babies so he sent the now-4-year-old gelding up north with Kelly Case.  Improving with every start, Two Fold Cold got his first seasonal victory after being parked to the quarter in :29.1 and powered through the middle splits of :59 and 1:27 before blasting home a winner in 1:57.4 in the $5,500 featured pace.

Driven by Dave Ingraham to a 1-1/2 length victory, Two Fold Cold was bred in Maine by Gary and Kristina Hall and paid $4.20.

Kount Blaster (Wally Watson) finished second; Heavensway A (Zach Vickerson) was third.

Another Tardif protégé that had the misfortune of racing against Two Fold Cold last season is Arts Flight.  The now-4-year-old son of Artistic Fella did hold his own last year at three, and hit the board in 12 of 15 starts while earning $67,399.

Driven by Aaron Hall, and despite being saddled with the outermost post seven, the swift sidestepper left powerfully and assumed command through an opening fraction of :29.1.  His command was short lived as Arts Flight yielded to the 6-5 favorite Mornin Captain and Walter Case Jr. who clearly had a ton of pace. 

Approaching the 1:01.3 half in the off-going On Line (2-1, Jason Bertolini) pulled first over, with Salute America (25-1 Kevin Switzer Jr.) grabbing that cover second over.

Mornin Captain took the field through the 1:30.3 third panel with Arts Flight locked in the box right behind him. The battle ensued around the turn and into the home stretch where the first over On Line stalled which gave Arts Flight room to come off the pegs and challenge the leader.

Track announcer Scott Ehrlich exclaimed, “In deep stretch, here comes Arts Flight…too close to call.”

Back in the sport’s heyday, the judges would have been forced to call for a ‘print’ of the photo finish, however, due to advances in technology the racing officials were able to quickly determine that Arts Flight prevailed by a nose over Mornin Captain.  Greysons Pacin (Dave Ingraham) was third.

Trained by Andrew Harrington for owner Mac Stables, it was the second win in a row for Arts Flight, who was bred by one of Maine’s leading breeders Lynn-Marie Plouffe.  He paid $9.60 for the 2:01.1 triumph, where the judges allowed 3 seconds due to track conditions.

Hunter Lofthus returned to his winning ways in the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event in race two, scoring with Benson Merrill’s Ten Beaches Later in 2:03.4. 

Coming from off the pace to win in dominant fashion, bettors must have forgotten the reinsman’s prowess in last season’s series and sent him off at 13-1.  The duo paid $28.40 for the score.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine.  Todd Whitney drives the favorite Hoosier Shark from post four.

Driver Zach Vickerson grabbed a driving double, one of which he also trained. 

Racing resumes at Cumberland on Friday (May 16).

First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend.  First post is always 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.

May 10, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – McStoned Again rocked and rolled to victory during the ‘Trottin’ Friday’ $5,500 feature on May 9 at Cumberland Raceway. 

Scoring from pylon position driver McGwire Sowers let the swift Rose Run Yakim (2-1, Drew Campbell) and the inside positioned Mister Muscle (8-1, Nick Graffam) engage in a brief tussle for the front end into a :28.4 opening panel.

With Rose Run Yakim ultimately securing the point, the 4-5 favorite McStoned Again sat comfortably in the three hole until the soft 1:00.4 half mile marker.  Providing cover for the second over Little Macabee (13-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.), Sowers kept his horse engaged with the leader who had already popped the earplugs at the 1:30.2 third stanza and could not withstand the challenge.

Around the final turn and down the stretch it was all over but the shouting as the favorite cruised down to the wire in 2:01 by 3-3/4 lengths.  Trained by Christopher Hitchcock for owner Michael Pease, the 7-year-old son of Wishing Stone picked up his first win of the season and 29^th of his career. Increasing his lifetime earnings to $274,869, he paid $3.60 to win.

Rose Run Yakim hung on for second; Inquiring Mind (13-1, Steve Wilson) came from last at the three-quarters to pick up the show dough.

J S Peyton took the second race $4,800 conditioned trot in 2:00.1 for driver Bruce Ranger and trainer Benson Merrill.  He paid $5.00 to win for owners Bill Tracy and John and Thelma Kiernan.  It was the 10-year-old son of Swan For All’s third victory of the season.

Broadway Giant picked up his first seasonal victory, taking the fifth race $4,200 cond. trot in 2:00.4, also in rein to Bruce Ranger.  The 11-year-old son of Broadway Hall is owned and trained by Ron Patione, and paid $3.20.

Driver Nick Graffam picked up three wins on the afternoon program, two of which were harnessed by Jamie Gerard, who also won the opener resulting in a three-bagger.

Racing continues on Saturday (May 10) at 3:15 pm and includes several exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.  There was an $889.76 carryover in the Pentafecta.

Saturday’s (May 10) card carries eight races and hosts the Maine Amateur Driving Club event in race two.  The $4,000 purse attracted a full field of eight entrants and is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine.  Todd Whitney drives the favorite Hoosier Shark from post four.

The faster pacers meet in the $5,500 fifth race conditioned pace.  Zack Vickerson trains and drives the 3-1 favorite Heavensway A.  The 11-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight races without the claiming tag and looks to recover from his uncharacteristic miscue in his last outing.  Former Maine champion Two Fold Cold (7-2, Dave Ingraham) is steadily improving and will look to mix things up a bit.

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 2.

May 8, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – ‘Trottin’ Friday’ features the diagonally gaited set in three of the nine races programmed on Friday (May 9) at Cumberland Raceway, including the featured $5,500 conditioned trot.

Aaron Hall has Bill Phipps’ Jax Spratt in peak condition and has not missed a check with the horse in his last seven outings.  The 5-year-old son of Devious Man has earned $115,680 lifetime and has enjoyed 20 trips to the winners circle.

Despite being saddled with post seven, the consistent trotter has a win and a second place finish in his last four starts, leaving mostly from the outer tier of the starting car.  Installed as the 5-1 third choice, he is trained and driven by Hall.

Jax Spratt’s biggest threat comes from the pylon positioned McStoned Again (9-5, McGwire Sowers) who is also an accomplished racehorse, having won 28 times in his five-year racing career.  Also getting the trackman’s consideration is the Rose Run Yakim (5-2, Drew Campbell) who is coming off a win in his last start against a lesser bunch.

The action kicks off at 3:15 pm on Friday and includes several exotic wagers  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

Saturday’s (May 10) card carries eight races and hosts the Maine Amateur Driving Club event in race two.  The $4,000 purse attracted a full field of eight entrants and is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine.  Todd Whitney drives the favorite Hoosier Shark from post four.

The faster pacers meet in the $5,500 fifth race conditioned pace.  Zack Vickerson trains and drives the 3-1 favorite Heavensway A.  The 11-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight races without the claiming tag and looks to improve upon his uncharacteristic miscue in his last outing.  Former Maine champion Two Fold Cold (7-2, Dave Ingraham) is steadily improving and will look to mix things up a bit.

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 2.

May 4, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Drew Campbell helped himself to a second helping of sweet victory in the $5,500 featured pace on Saturday (May 3) at Cumberland Raceway, giving Dinner Party two in a row in the ‘fine dining’ section.

Known to ‘send ‘em’ out to the front, Campbell did just that from his pylon position in race five, setting a quick opening fraction of :28.4 in the rain with the 3-2 favorite.  Zach Vickerson also protected his inside position and maintained the two-hole with his own Heavensway A (4-1), which allowed the speedy Tobins Burke (16-1, Nick Graffam) to get away third.

The outer flow began to materialize past the :59.2 half mile marker, with Tobins Burke leading the charge, followed by Forrest Blu (3-1, Aaron Hall) and Two Fold Cold (11-1, Dave Ingraham). 

Around the paddock turn the second time Heavensway A who was still in the catbird seat, decided it was time to gallop, which pushed the rest to field back and forced the trailers to go out and around his offstride antics.  This gave Dinner Party a temporary six length lead heading past the 1:27.2 third panel.

Rounding the turn for home the former Maine sophomore pacing champion Two Fold Cold turned on the afterburner and rocketed down the lane in an attempt to catch the leader.  The now 4-year-old’s quick turn of foot brought Dinner Party’s advantage down to a mere two lengths at the wire, where the pacesetter still managed to prevail in 1:58.2.

Trained by Chris Dubois for owner Mary Fernald, the 6-year-old son of American Ideal picked up his second straight second win, and third in his last four starts.  His lifetime earnings now stand at $67,259 with 14 career victories.  Dinner Party paid $5.00 to win.

Two Fold Cold was second; Tobins Burke finished third.

Todd Whitney won the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) race with Nagle in 2:02.1.  Trained by Michelle Lefebvre, he paid $2.80 to win.  MADC races are sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine.

Driver Aaron Hall grabbed a hat trick on the program, including taking the early daily double, both with horses trained by Andy Harrington.  Drew Campbell and Zach Vickerson both enjoyed a pair of driving victories on the Kentucky Derby Day card.

Racing resumes at Cumberland on Friday (May 9).

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 2.

May 3, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Zach Vickerson took the overland route to victory when he guided his own Big Al M to a thrilling three-quarter length victory in the $6,000 featured trot on Friday (May 2) at Cumberland Raceway.

Scoring from post four the 7-year-old son of Anders Bluestone was off the car when the wings folded and floated into fifth position at the start, with 16-1 longshot To My Credit on the engine and taking point for driver Dave Ingraham.  Around the first turn Jax Spratt (4-1, Aaron Hall) settled for second with Little Macabee (13-1, Drew Campbell) grabbing the three hole.   

The field was stretched out into a snappy :29 opening panel, but started to tighten up at the 1:00 half with the 4-5 choice Big Al M tipping to the outside.  Just before the 5/8’s pole the favorite picked up the first over cover of Little Macabee.  Sensing some hesitation with his cover, Vickerson pulled three-wide at the 1:29.4 third stanza and began his ascent to the top.

Track announcer Mike Cushing exclaimed, “Double-digit Dave is trying to go the distance,”

but Big Al M was full of trot and continued his outside momentum through the turn and down the stretch.

To My Credit had led every step of the way and was valiantly fighting off the late charge of both Jax Spratt and Big Al M, who ultimately prevailed in 2:00.3.

Owned, trained and driven by Zach Vickerson, it was the 23^rd victory of the veteran trotter’s career, but first of the season.  His lifetime earnings increased to $476,665, and he paid $3.60 to win.

To My Credit held on for second; Jax Spratt was third.  The mutuels resulted in a $398 carryover for Saturday’s Pick-5.

Drivers Drew Campbell and Walter Case Jr. each picked up two wins on the Friday program, along with conditioner Bob Marston who harnessed a pair of winners.  The track sends additional congratulations to trainer Jamie Gerard who grabbed three wins on last Friday’s program en route to securing a 1,000 career win plateau.

Racing at Cumberland continues on Saturday (May 3), and with horse racing’s Kentucky Derby taking center stage in the national spotlight this weekend, Cumberland Raceway will offer coverage of the biggest day on the Thoroughbred Triple Crown calendar.

Fans and bettors can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Saturday’s 151st Run for the Roses.  Doors open at 12 noon for the full-card simulcast of horse racing’s premier event, with a host of food and beverage options available all day at the iconic Cumberland Fairgrounds. 

First Tracks’ full card of live harness racing starts at 3:15 pm with ten races slated for Saturday (May 3, Kentucky Derby Day).  Both Harness and Thoroughbred programs will be available.

Exotic wagers start with Cumberland’s Pick 5 in the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

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 2.