June 14, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – A sure sign of summer is the return of the young, Maine bred Standardbreds to the racetrack.  The weekend kicks off with four ‘Learn and Earn’ 2-year-old Baby Races on Friday (June 14), before the regular card at 1:45 pm.  Then, the Maine Sire Stakes convenes on Saturday (June 15) when Cumberland Raceway will host two $16,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old filly pacers. 

Friday’s (June 14) regular card (post time 3:15 pm) carries 11 races with all of the standard and exotic betting options, including our popular 50-cent Pick-5 (races 3-7) with a low 16-percent take out.

The co-featured $4,800 trots in races 3 and 8 contain several interesting entrants who are moving up after a win, or conversely, some who are looking for a softer landing spot.  In any case, the combinations will give punters plenty of options with the full fields and competitive pairings.

Looking ahead to Saturday (June 15) the triumphant return of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes witnesses a couple of the top three finishers in last season’s $51,023 freshmen filly final returning to the action.

In the first $16,196 stake race My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.) has been pegged as the 9-5 second choice from post 6.  Trained by Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick finished third in last year’s final, but will have to contend with Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) from post 2.  Trained by Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Thirty Two Red is listed as the 7-5 favorite.

Last year’s champion Gowestyounggrace highlights the second division.  To be driven by Dave Ingraham for trainer Fred Ward Jr., the daughter of Western Maverick has been installed as the 6-5 early morning line favorite from post 4.  Ghost Of You (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) scores outside of the favorite for trainer Marc Tardif, and the Deuce Seelster filly already has a 2:00.3 win this season.

In other action, Instant Replay looks for a repeat performance from his victory last week, scoring from post 2 in the $6,000 featured (race 7) overnight event.  Regular pilot Walter Case Jr. returns for trainer George ‘Triple Sticks’ Fenno III.

Two $5,000 divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) go postward as races 5 and 8, with many of the usual suspects looking for bragging rights among the tight knit horsemen’s community.  Top point earner Hunter “Hot Lead” Lofthus will be looking for his fifth victory in a row as he has two mounts on the card.  As always, the MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 9, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – With his popularity rising with each and every start, George Fenno III’s Instant Replay returned to his winning ways on Saturday (June 8) and captured the $6,000 featured pace at Cumberland Raceway. 

While taking a new 1:55.1 lifetime mark in the redemptive victory, the disabled veteran’s stable star has been a beacon of hope for the guy known around the backstretch as ‘Triple Sticks.’

“He really has shown us that anything is possible with hard work and dedication,” noted the emotionally moved 66-year-old former military policeman.  “When [Walter Case Jr.] tipped him down the backside his rapid acceleration impressed us all.  My second trainer Alan Nelson had him ready to roll.”

And roll he did as the horse had to overcome a backstretch traffic jam to get clear and challenge for the lead.  At the outset it looked like the horse was going to get the down east shuffle, but as the race unfolded, it served to his advantage.

Bet On Joe (Bruce Ranger) was the first to leave from his inherited pylon position, which he protected with all the speed he could muster.  Second choice Runrunjimmydunn N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) left hard to challenge but was rebuffed by the inside pacesetter and backed himself down into the two hole.  Lexus Witha View A (Nick Graffam) leaving from post four was strung out parked with no seats available into a 27.3 opening quarter.

With Bet On Joe having things his own way and Lexus Witha View A stuck first over into a 55.4 half, Case moved Instant Replay into the outer flow and waited patiently for his perfect time to pounce.  Just past the aft paddock drawgate Fenno’s ‘Replay’ was given his cue and responded admirably with a three-wide brush that effectively put all the would-be spoilers into his rear view mirror.  Back two lengths at the 1:25 third panel, Instant Replay swooped the field and drew off by four to score in 1:55.1. 

Owned and trained by George Fenno III, the 4-year-old son of Lazarus N paid $4.80 to win.  Runrunjimmydunn N finished second; Bet On Joe was third.

Elated with the horse’s third win in his fourth seasonal start in the Pine Tree State, Fenno stated, “We will give ‘Replay’ a well-deserved week off and find a race for him in Maine the following week.  Our goal is to point him toward the $25,000 Fred Nichols Memorial on July 7 at Bangor.”

In Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) action, the usual suspects found their way back to the Blue Seal winners circle once again this week.  With his fourth driving victory in a row, Hunter ‘Hot Lead’ Lofthus grabbed the first event with the Lisa Watson-trained Jo Pa’s Sweet Lou.  The 8-year-old son of Sweet Lou won the $5,000 first division in convincing fashion, scoring in 1:58.3 by 5-1/4 lengths, and paying $8.80 to win.

The second MADC $5,000 split was captured by favorite Maddy N Maggie and driver Mike Girouard.  Trained by Kate Gerow, the 5-year-old daughter of Sunshine Beach paid $5.20 to win in 2:00.4.  The MADC is sponsored every week by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Bruce Ranger skillfully piloted Dylans Future to a tote board smashing eight-hole triumph, not only giving the horse a 1:57.1 new lifetime mark, but paying $48.80 in the process.  Owned and trained by Scott Farley, the 6-year-old son of Stonebridge Terror rocketed to the lead from his outermost position and led every step of the way thereafter.  It was the horse’s 13^th lifetime victory.

In professionally-driven events, only three of Saturday’s races were bagged by drivers not named Kevin Switzer Jr.  The reigning leading reinsman at Cumberland won a fistful of five races on the afternoon card, and increased his seasonal total to 42 victories, sporting an impressive .390 UDRS.  Rounding out the top five aviators are: Dan Deslandes (23), Bruce Ranger (20), Walter Case Jr. (18) and Drew Campbell (16).

Jeff Deslandes is the meet’s leading trainer with 22 wins, followed by Bob Marston (12) and Larry Dancer (11).

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 8, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Cain MacKenzie’s Martaritaondarocks paced the fastest mile of the Friday (June 7) program, taking her $4,400 fillies and mares conditioned pace in 1:57 flat.

Driven by Drew Campbell, the consistent 5-year-old daughter of Pet Rock was ducked into the four hole in the first turn, while 3-5 favorite Pickmepickme (Walter Case Jr.) marched on to take command.

With a soft 29.1 opening panel, Campbell pulled his charge out at the 3/8’s pole and was roughing it up first over into a 59 second half.  As the rest of the pylon sitters gapped off the leader, Campbell was able to duck Martaritaondarocks into the two hole at the 5/8’s marker.

As Duck N Roll (Nick Graffam) was rolling on the outside, Martaritaondarocks was sitting tightly on the helmet of the leader through the 1:27.1 third stanza.  As the outer flow diminished, Martaritaondarocks found daylight and used a slingshot move off the turn to challenge Pickmepickme at the head of the stretch.

Gaining ground with every stride, the 8-5 second choice rock and rolled to the wire to grab the swiftest mile of the day by 2-1/4 lengths.  Owned and trained by Cain MacKenzie, it was the mare’s third win in her last five starts.  She paid $5.20 to win.

Pickmepickme finished second; Duck N Roll was third.

The co-featured $5,500 trot was captured by Luvcrunchess in 1:58.4, picking up her first win of the season.  Driven by Walter Case Jr. for trainer Ryan Hall and owner P T Stable, the 8-year-old daughter of Dontyouforgetit paid $12.00 to win gate-to-wire.

Favorite Little Macabee (Drew Campbell) finished second; Power Mitt (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

In other events, former Maine Sire Stakes champion South St Dottie picked up her second win of the season for Team Graffam, scoring in 1:58.1.  A wire-to-wire effort, the 4-year-old mare paid a surprising $24.40 prize.

Team Athearn grabbed another score with track record holder Dynamical Tad who posted a 2:02 time to win the $4,400 conditioned trot.  It was his second win in three weeks, having scored on May 17 and set a 2:01 Cumberland benchmark for 4-year-old stallions.  He paid $10.60 to win.  Owned by Barbara Dresser, he is trained by Gretchen Athearn and was driven to victory by Mark Athearn.

While the 10-race card of live harness racing begins at 3:15 pm, First Tracks Cumberland will also offer simulcasting from Saratoga Race Course on Saturday (June 8) for the $2,000,000 Belmont Stakes, doors open at 10:45 am. 

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout upcoming Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 6, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – George Fenno’s Instant Replay has been a consistent top pacer in Maine this season.  Winning two of his last three starts, the 4-year-old son of Lazarus will try to redeem his first and only loss of the season this Saturday (June 8) at Cumberland in the $6,000 featured sixth race.

Aside from his third place finish last week, Instant Replay has rewarded his backers with $13.80 and $3.40 two-dollar win tickets in his previous two outings.  Nonetheless, he is still the second choice on the TrackMaster morning line, pegged at 7-2 with Walter Case Jr. resuming his role from the horse’s first win.  Saturday he scores from post 3, and since that time he has also been driven by Dave Ingraham and Mike Stevenson.

The 5-2 favorite is a horse moving up in class, Runrunjimmydunn N, post 4.  Trained by Ryan Hall and driven by leading driver Kevin Switzer Jr., he comes off a win in his last start, pacing in a seasonal best 1:55.4.  The third and fourth choices are Bet On Joe (post 2, Bruce Ranger) and Lexus Witha View A (post 5, Nick Graffam).  Every one of the seven entrants has a 1:57.1 or faster seasonal mark, with Instant Replay being the most lightly raced. 

In addition, the track hosts another two $5,000 divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) series, sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

While the 10-race card of live harness racing begins at 3:15 pm, First Tracks Cumberland will also offer simulcasting from Saratoga Race Course on Saturday (June 8) for the $2,000,000 Belmont Stakes, doors open at 10:45 am. 

The action starts on Friday’s (June 7) 10-race card, with the track offering punters a $5,000 Pick-5 guarantee in races 3 through 7.  The popular wager has an attractive 16% takeout on the 50-cent minimum bet.

Free past performances can be found on the US Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering page:

http://handicapping.ustrotting.com/index.cfm or https://www.trackmaster.com/freeContent/usta/freeContentFiles/hpl/cub0607x.pdf

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout upcoming Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 6, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland is pleased to announce a $5,000 Pick-5 guarantee on Friday (June 7) in races 3 through 7.  The popular wager has an attractive 16% takeout on the 50¢ minimum bet.

Free past performances can be found on the US Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering page:

http://handicapping.ustrotting.com/index.cfm

First Tracks Cumberland is proud to offer simulcasting from Saratoga Race Course on Saturday (June 8) for the 156th renewal of the Test of the Champion, the $2,000,000 Belmont Stakes, doors open at 10:45 am.  Live harness racing is also on tap, first post is 3:15 pm.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout upcoming Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 2, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Keystone Phoenix and Walter Case Jr. paced away from the field en route to a benchmark lowering 1:54.1 romp in the $6,000 feature at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (June 1).

Scoring from the track’s ‘sweet spot’ post 4, Case put his charge right on the lead and played ‘catch me if you can’ with the rest of top pacers.  Despite a mild brush into the 28.0 opening panel to get past the pylon-protecting Miss U Big Mike (Dan Deslandes), the pacesetting duo then rolled through the half unfettered in 57.0.

Gaining ground with every stride, bystanders and horsemen alike knew something special was about to happen with the pair were comfortably on top by four at the three-quarters and the timer flashed an exciting 1:25.0, which is a rarity at the iconic Southern Maine oval.

With the battle for second the only lingering concern, Case rolled the 6-5 favorite through the final turn with just two remaining variables: how fast, and by how many?

The margin of victory was an open 5-1/2 lengths and when the timer read 1:54.1 it indicated a new track record for an aged gelding, which was just two ticks off the all-age track record of 1:53.4.

Trained by Ryan Hall and owned by P T Stable, the 10-year-old son of Well Said paid $4.60.  Keystone Phoenix, a foal of 2014, hails from the famed Hempt Farms Pennsylvania nursery, which was founded by Harness Racing Hall of Famer Max C. Hempt in 1942.

Rocksapatriot (Dave Ingraham) finished second; Instant Replay (Mike Stevenson) was third.

It was the third victory of the day for the connections of trainer Ryan Hall and owner P T Stable (Patrick Tortofello), who had two earlier scores with Kevin Swizter Jr. driving: Thorn Road (1:56.0; $3.80) and The Downtown Bus (1:57.0; $3.00).

Walter Case Jr. also enjoyed three wins on the card.  The first occurred in the opener with Marc Tardif’s Pickmepickme (1:57.3; $4.80), and the second a tote-board busting $28.80 with Benson Merrill’s Ten Beaches Later (1:57.3).

The Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) is relishing a resurgence of activity with the past few weeks witnessing two $5,000 divisions in each program, with some familiar faces basking in the beam of the photo finish light.

Despite being assigned post 7, Hunter Lofthus grabbed his second win in a row with his own Forrest Blu, taking the first division by a scant neck in 2:00.0 and paying $8.40 to his backers. 

Hunter ‘Hot Lead’ Lofthus is now well atop the drivers standings in the MADC, which is quite impressive given the fact that he got his first lifetime win just 6 months ago.  An electrical lineman and tree expert by trade, Lofthus has 54 points, which puts him ahead of Benson Merrill (46) and Todd Whitney (36) in the top three. 

Relative newcomer Jonathan Bresnahan picked up his first win of the season, after just three starts in the MADC series.  Bresnahan scored with a catch drive aboard Hula’s Boy in 2:01.0, who is trained by Logan Lanpher.  They paid $7.60 to win. The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The leading driver at Cumberland through eight weeks of racing is Kevin Switzer Jr., who has a commanding 35 wins, ahead of Dan Deslandes (22), Bruce Ranger (17), Walter Case Jr. (16) and Drew Campbell (15.)

The leading Cumberland conditioner is Jeff Deslandes with 21 wins, followed by trainers Lester Dancer (11), Sara Harrington (10) and Bob Marston (10).

Racing resumes Friday (June 7) where the track will offer its regular slate of wagering options on the live harness racing card, with the addition of a $5,000 Pick-5 guarantee.  Early betting on the Belmont Stakes will also be available.  

In addition, First Tracks Cumberland is proud to offer simulcasting from Saratoga Race Course on Saturday (June 8) for the 156th renewal of the Test of the Champion, the $2,000,000 Belmont Stakes, with doors opening at 12 noon.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout upcoming Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 1, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Both $5,500 co-featured events on Friday’s (May 31) Cumberland card were wire-to-wire romps by their respective victors, Broadway Giant and Pretty Gorgeous.

In the top trot opener perennial leading reinsman Bruce Ranger sent Broadway Giant right to the top and never looked back.  Hitting the opening panel in 28.4, the 10-year-old son of Broadway Hall settled in on the point and allowed the battle for second to appear in his rear-view mirror.

Steve Wilson had 13-1 longshot Inquiring Mind safely in the two-hole after the start, but Dan Deslandes had the French trotter and 6-5 favorite Elegant Dulupin ranging up on the outside into a 59.2 half mile marker, after letting a parked-out Jax Spratt (Aaron Hall) into the three-hole.  Following the live cover in the outer flow was Walter Case Jr. with Luvcrunchess.

Down the backside the final time the leader had gained some separation as Little Macabee (Drew Campbell) pushed three-wide into the 1:28.1 third panel with the rest of the field gapping behind the pacesetter and bunched up in the final turn.

As they turned for home Broadway Giant was on top by four and looking for more.  The scuffle for second stormed on with the challengers giving chase to no avail.

Broadway Giant prevailed by a comfortable 2-3/4 lengths in 1:59.1, a new seasonal mark.  Owned and trained by Ron Patoine, it was his third win in six starts this year, pushing his lifetime earnings to $165,858.  He paid $9.80 to win.

Elegant Dulupin FR finished second; Inquiring Mind was third.

A few events later and the $5,500 fillies and mares pace witnessed another front-end folly with Kevin Switzer Jr. leading 6-5 favorite Pretty Gorgeous through a 28.0 first panel tussle with the pylon protecting Gimme Some Lovin’ (Andy Harrington).

While Switzer cleared with the wagering choice, he backed down the tempo to a 58.2 half, prompting Case to pull A Black Diamond first over and challenge for the lead.  With Harrington and Gimme Some Lovin’ glued to Switzer’s helmet, and Case rolling on the outside the pack hit the third stanza in a furious 1:26.1.

As the field turned for home Pretty Gorgeous drifted out into the center of the track, allowing Harrington and Gimme Some Lovin’ to get a momentary advantage.  Pretty Gorgeous fought back valiantly once she straightened out again and prevailed by half a length in 1:56.2, the swiftest race of the day.

Trained by Benson Merrill for owners John and Thelma Kiernan, the 7-year-old daughter of I’m Gorgeous assembled her sixth win of the year and equaled her season’s best record. She paid $4.60 to win.

Kevin Switzer Jr. won four races on the program, Bruce Ranger won three and Walter Case Jr. grabbed a double, including a tote-board shattering $77.40 win ticket with Oceanview Echo.

Racing continues Saturday (June 1) with a 10-race card, featuring a $6,000 conditioned pace where George Fenno’s Instant Replay will seek his third win in a row. There are also two divisions of the popular Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC), sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout upcoming Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland is proud to offer simulcasting from Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, June 8 for the 156th renewal of the Test of the Champion, the $2,000,000 Belmont Stakes.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 30, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – While George Fenno III, aka ‘Triple Sticks’ recognizes that with success comes some added attention, he is quick to point out that the horse does all the work.

“I’m just along for the ride,” Fenno stated emphatically after his horse Instant Replay had just won his last two starts.  “He does all the work.  I just point him in the right direction.”

Drawing post 3 in the $6,000 top pacing event on Saturday (June 1) at Cumberland Raceway, the horse was listed at 5-1 by the TrackMaster morning line odds.  Considering that he won his last two starts with two different drivers, one could opine that he would be the favorite, but he has drawn in with some tougher company.

The 3-1 favorite is Rocksapatriot (post 2), a former Cumberland track record holder and veteran pacer with just shy of a quarter million in earnings.  Trained by Kelly Case, he gets the services of Dave Ingraham, the driver who piloted Instant Replay to victory last week.

Other contenders are Keystone Phoenix (Walter Case Jr.) and Lexus Witha View A (Kevin Switzer Jr.).

But that doesn’t discourage Fenno who puts his horse’s needs at the top of his to-do list every week.

In between starts the horse jogs, grazes in the lush New England pasture, and sometimes gets a blow-out mile. This week he got some new shoes, courtesy of blacksmith Joey Mosher.  All the while Fenno doesn’t mind dreaming of a rerun of the horse’s last two episodes.

“Replay’s wins have inspired my girlfriend, Marianne Audley, to fly up here from Florida to catch his next start.  And even though I keep getting the ‘white pants shuffle,’ the horse is in good hands this week with Mike Stevenson.”

Instant Replay, a 4-year-old son of Lazarus N that is currently undefeated this season, ‘always has his ears up,’ according to Fenno.  Unraced at 2, and with just 22 lifetime starts and 8 wins, not even his owner-trainer knows where his progress will lead.

“I’ve never seen him as sharp as he is today”, noted Fenno.  “We just hope that his spirit remains high and that he continues to bring us such joy.”

Speaking of joy, several prominent reinsmen will be noticeably absent from the action on Saturday when Mr. and Mrs. Nick Graffam celebrate their nuptials.  Everyone in the close-knit Maine harness racing community wishes them decades of good health and happiness.

Racing starts Friday (May 31) with an 11-race card, featuring the $5,500 top trot in the opener.  The live action continues on Saturday (June 1).

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout upcoming Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland is proud to offer simulcasting from Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, June 8 for the 156th renewal of the Test of the Champion, the $2,000,000 Belmont Stakes.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

–30—

May 26, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – George Fenno III’s Instant Replay doubled-down on last week’s effort to earn his second seasonal win in a row on Saturday (May 25) at Cumberland Raceway.

Leaving from post four in the $5,500 featured pace, catch driver Dave Ingraham let a few horses go and was content to take a seat in the early going.  Walter Case Jr. was the first to leave with the Tardif Taskforce pupil Deal With It Roman.  Airspinder (Aaron Hall) maintained his pylon position and got away second with wagering favorite Outspoken Man (Bruce Ranger) settling into third through a 29.0 second opening panel.

As the field hit the 58.4 half-mile marker, veteran pilot Ingraham had Instant Replay out and rolling first over and was ranging up on the outside to be third in line at the 1:27.4 third stanza.  As the field swung into the final turn Instant Replay was looking for another repeat performance and had just the pacesetter, Deal With It Roman, to reel in.  The pair battled down the length of the stretch to the wire, with Instant Replay prevailing in the final strides to grab his second victory of the season in 1:56.4.  This was his second start of the year, and 8^th lifetime win.

Owned and trained by former U.S. Army military policeman George Fenno III, the 4-year-old son of Lazarus N took a new seasonal mark.  Living up to his Gabe Prewitt-installed moniker, ‘Double Digit’ Dave Ingraham steered the winner to a $13.80 payout.

The horse and his owner, a disabled veteran, were the subject of a feature story this week and noted, “The horse went a monster mile.  We are very proud of him and he has developed a few new followers in the process.”

Speaking of publicity, Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) member Hunter Lofthus was the subject of a Chris Lomom-penned feature story in Friday’s Harness Racing Update industry newsletter, and managed to overcome the added pressure to capture his division of the MADC event on Saturday.

Scoring from post four, Lofthus sent Forrest Blu three-wide down the backside to catapult himself into the winners circle, scoring in 1:58.4.  Lofthus is also the trainer and co-owner (with Jamie Gerard) of the 5-year-old son of Roll With Joe, who paid $10.00 to win.

The other MADC division was captured by Todd Whitney with Edelman in 1:57.3.  Trained and co-owned by Brian Lamb (with Ray Rogers), the 6-year-old son of Western Maverick paid $5.20 to win. The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Kevin Switzer Jr. had three wins on the program, further cementing his lead atop the Cumberland leader board with 29 seasonal victories.  Dan Deslandes (21), Drew Campbell (15), Bruce Ranger (14) and Nick Graffam (13) round out the top five.  Through seven weeks of racing, Jeff Deslandes remains the leading trainer with 20 wins.

Racing resumes Friday (May 31).  The First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland is proud to offer simulcasting from Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, June 8 for the 156^th renewal of the Test of the Champion, the $2,000,000 Belmont Stakes.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

May 25, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Walter Case Jr. and Drew Campbell dominated the Friday (May 24) program at Cumberland Raceway, picking up three wins apiece and taking over half of the races on the 11-race card.

‘Casey’ wasted little time throwing down the gauntlet, as the Maine-native pushed favored Warrawee Preferred right to the top in the opening trot.  From that point it was an easy ride in the park for the 13-year-old son of Federal Flex who scored handily by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:59.2.  It was a new seasonal mark and his 67^th career victory, paying $4.60 to win for owner-trainer Ryan Berry.

With the track favoring speed, Case steered Oceanview Echo to a 7-3/4 length romp in 1:56.3, which was the fastest race of the day.  Owned and trained by Dana Whittemore, the 7-year-old mare paid $3.00 to win the fourth race, and established a seasonal best record after five previous attempts.

Case grabbed his third win of the day in race 7 with Your Momma, which was another wire-to-wire effort for an owner-trainer.  Eddie Fournier Jr. harnessed the 6-year-old mare that paid $3.60 while winning in 1:59.4, a new seasonal benchmark.

In race 8, Drew Campbell took matters into his own hands and utilized a first-over trip to get pay dirt with the handsome trotter Little Macabee in 1:59.  Owned by Maryann Tompkins and trained by Chad Tompkins, the 10-year-old son of Chapter Seven earned his 35^th lifetime win, paying $5.40.

Campbell came right back in race 9 and scored with Valyrian Steel in 2:00.2, which gave the Tompkins’ clan a double.  Like Déjà vu all over again, the 9-year-old son Chapter Seven is owned by Maryann Tompkins and trained by Chad Tompkins and got his 8^th career score.  Valyrian Steel paid $3.80 to win.

The $5,500 featured race of the day was another Drew Campbell show, giving the veteran reinsman a natural hat trick with Watchagonnadoboo in 1:57.2.  Unlike Case’s wire-to-wire efforts, Campbell came from off the pace to earn his three triumphs.  Watchagonnadoboo prevailed by two lengths, as the Eric Bickmore owned and trained 7-year-old daughter of Artspeak paid a whopping $15.80 to win.

Driver Andy Harrington picked up a pair of victories, both of whom were trained by his wife Sara Harrington.

Harness racing action resumes on Saturday (May 25) with a ten-race card where George Fenno III’s Instant Replay will attempt to get his second win in a row.  First post is 3:15 pm.

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland is proud to offer simulcasting from Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, June 8 for the 156^th renewal of the Test of the Champion, the $2,000,000 Belmont Stakes.

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet continues throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3.  Post time is always 3:15 pm.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/