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

CUMBERLAND, ME – David Zuckerman, a 67-year-old lifetime harness racing participant, won the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) race at Cumberland on Saturday (July 1), which was his first trip back to the winners circle in over 40 previous attempts.

A Massachusetts native, Zuckerman was a licensed teamster in 1977 at age 21, where he earned a whopping $35 in two starts at the Scarborough Fair. 

The next year he had nine starts and then won his first race at Topsham in 1982.  He also raced at Lewiston, Cumberland, Skowhegan, and other Maine fairs during his fledgling career.  Bitten by the bug, he has been driving horses sporadically ever since. 

“I got involved with a guy named Jeff Strong who offered a class in harness racing. From there I bought a horse, and took care of him before and after work,” recalls Zuckerman.

A dental supply salesman and company owner, he has 189 driving starts over the last 45 years and claims to participate just for fun. 

“It’s a hobby and an honor to be out there…wherever I finish,” exclaimed Zuckerman.  “Mike [Stevenson] and Bruce Ranger were happier than I was [after the win]!”

Today’s triumph was the first time Zuckerman has found pay dirt since 2018, however he has finished third on three occasions earlier this season.  In today’s race Zuckerman left from pylon position with his own Rest Assured and let Jarred Laughlin and Pay Later take command through opening fractions of 29 and 1:00.1.

With Zuckerman comfortable in the two-hole, the only challenge to the leaders came from Benson Merrell with Cee Pee Panic down the backside into a 1:29.2 third quarter.  When the field rounded the turn for home Zuckerman’s Rest Assured felt the pressure from the outside and responded to urging and began to gain ground on the leader.

Getting up in the final strides, owner and driver Zuckerman grabbed the victory by three parts of a length in 2:00.3 with Rest Assured.  They paid $11.80 to win.  The trainer of record is Mike Stevenson.  Pay Later hung on to be second; Cee Pee Panic was third.

The Maine Amateur Driving Club is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine.

Two $15,209 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings were contested before the regular card.  Thrice winner Luke McGook scored again in 1:59.4 for owner Leighton Property, trainer Marc Tardif and driver Kevin Switzer Jr.  The second division went to Twice The Ice who is owned and trained by Tardif and was driven to a 1:58 victory by Andrew Harrington, a new lifetime mark.

Bruce Ranger won four races on the afternoon card and remains atop the drivers’ standings.

Racing resumes on Saturday (July 8).  First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.  The final day of the meet features a Hambletonian hat giveaway, wagering on all the action from The Meadowlands, our popular Cumberland Derby with $500 in cash prizes, and a new $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational.  The first two finishers in tomorrow’s Fred Nichols at Bangor get an automatic invitation.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

June 30, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Fans showed Maine harness racing some love on Friday (June 30) at First Tracks Cumberland with an all-time record handle of $265,000.  In addition, trainer-driver Ivan Davies swept both $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-olds, with both trotters being bred by the late Mike Andrew, sired by Boy Band and owned by Anita Anastosopolous.

The early $14,502 non-wagering event witnessed Davies cruising toward the front with his sophomore filly Wild Ending, while navigating several breakers to finally capture the lead past the 33.2 opening panel.  With a snappy 1:03.4 half, Davies had put 8 lengths between himself and the rest of the field.  Last week’s winner She’salilbitmouthy (Aaron Hall) caught the field at the 1:36.2 third panel, after an earlier miscue just past the start.

As the field turned for home Davies let out another notch and cruised to victory in 2:06.2, with a final quarter in 30 seconds flat.  It was the first lifetime victory for Wild Ending who is also trained by Ivan Davies.  She’salilbitmouthy finished second; Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

A little over an hour later Ivan Davies came right back to capture the $14,641 Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old colt and gelding trot with Wabanaki in 2:01.1. 

As the wings folded all the boys behaved, putting six sophomore trotters into contention through the tight Cumberland first turn.  Davies and Wabanaki (3-1) benefitted from pylon position and held sway through the bend and onto the backstretch.  Stealin Money (Nick Graffam, 6-1) tracked closely in second, with Outlawofthevalley (Kevin Switzer Jr, 2-1) in third.

Davies and Wabanaki continued to call the shots at the 1:00.3 half, but when the leader hit the third panel in 1:30.4, Outlawofthevalley pulled first over to make a bid for the top.  However Davies had other ideas as he and the son of Boy Band used that cue to quicken the pace.  When the pair hit the head of the stretch Wabanaki drifted out, but had sufficient distance on the field to score by 3-1/2 lengths at the wire. 

Wabanak paid $8.20 to win for owner Anita Anastosopolous.  Stealin Money finished second, Pembroke Traveler was third.

The $6,000 overnight feature was captured by Broadway Giant in 2:00 for driver Bruce Ranger.  He paid $12.80 to win for owner-trainer Ron Patoine.

Reliable sources confirm that the $265,000 total handle for Friday’s card at Cumberland was the largest handle wagered in the state of Maine in over four decades.  The previous high was $191,000 set on December 26, 2022.

Dave Ingraham and Kevin Switzer Jr. each won three races on the 13-race card.

Saturday’s (July 1) program carries 11 races, plus two early $15,209 non-wagering Maine Sire Stakes events for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.  In addition, the Maine Amateur Driving Club is slated as race 9.  As always, this series is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine. 

The wagering menu always includes a 50 cent trifecta in every race, as well as the standard collection of lucrative wagers with low 16% takeouts scattered throughout the card. 

Cumberland will offer Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all the pertinent wagering options every Saturday.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5. Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

June 24, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Despite an early miscue Outlawofthevalley overcame his inaugural round jitters to grab the lone $14,491 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male trotters on Friday (June 23) at Cumberland Raceway.

Sent in as 7-5 favorite in the opener, driver Kevin Switzer Jr had to help steady the gait of the sophomore gelding by Pembroke Slugger as the pair were three lengths off the gate when the starter called ‘go.’  Once the field hit the first turn, Switzer Jr. hit the accelerator and moved past the other three participants in a quick brush of speed to reach the quarter-mile marker first in 30.3.

As the field approached the half, Outlawofthevalley was showing the way with Stealin Money (Nick Graffam) right there second.  A gap of nearly six lengths separated the leaders from Eustis (Mike Stevenson) and Pembroke Traveler (Heath Campbell), who were third and fourth respectively at the 1:02 half.

The pace quickened going toward the 1:32.1 third stanza, with Pembroke Traveler finally tipping to the outside as time was running out to make a closing bid.  With both of the aft-placed trotters gaining ground, the wire found Outlawofthevalley still on top, with Stealin Money second and Pembroke Traveler getting up for third.

It was a new lifetime mark of 2:03.1 for Outlawofthevalley, who picked up his fourth career victory for owner-breeder Leighton Property and trainer Marc Tardif.  He paid $4.80 to win.

Friday’s early non-wagering race featured the first purse start for three Maine-bred sophomore filly trotters, competing for a purse of $14,277.  Winning from pylon position in a wire-to-wire tour was She’salilbitmouthy in 2:08.  The daughter of Victor Blue Chip was driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Mike Cushing, and is owned by Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps.  Second by three parts of a length was Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.).

The Graffam Stable swept all of the ‘Learn and Earn’ baby races on the early card, giving driver Nick Graffam and trainer/father Mike Graffam three victories with three different freshmen pacers:  Crimson Pine, a colt by So Surreal in 2:05.3; Mrs Foxy Roxy, a filly by Deuce Seelster in 2:07.1; and The Marvinator, a colt by Mysharona Bluechip in 2:08.4.  Each race carried a nominal purse of two hundred dollars.

With a total of 15 ‘purse’ races being held on Friday, the winningest driver of the afternoon was Nick Graffam who captured three early races plus one overnight.  He was followed by Kevin Switzer Jr. who had a hat trick, and then with Aaron Hall, Bruce Ranger, Mike Stevenson who each grabbed a pair.

Saturday’s (June 24) program carries 11 races, and features the triumphant return of the Maine Amateur Driving Club in the opener.  As always, this series is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine.  In addition, the $5,500 race 10 top trot carries the match up of Plainridge invader Vesuvio Bi (Walter Case Jr.) against home-town stalwart Broadway Giant (Bruce Ranger).

There is a $929.48 carryover in the Pentafecta, with betting options including a 50 cent trifecta in every race, as well as the regular assortment of attractive exotic wagers with low 16% takeouts sprinkled throughout the card. 

Cumberland will offer Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all the pertinent wagering options every Saturday.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

June 23, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters will be contested early on Friday (June 23) at Cumberland Raceway, along with the annual baby races for 2-year-old freshmen Standardbreds.

Three divisions of ‘Learn and Earn’ baby races will be held before Friday’s card starting at 1:15 pm.  The races go for $200 each and give the youngsters a chance to experience the sights and the sounds of racing, before their freshmen Maine Sire Stakes divisions begin in early July.  For several of the 18 listed starters, it is their second educational outing.

An early non-wagering race scheduled for 2:30 pm features the first purse start for three Maine-bred sophomore filly trotters, vying for a purse of $14,277.  Scoring from pylon position is She’salilbitmouthy, a daughter of Victor Blue Chip that earned $90,647 last season, which included a victory in the freshmen final at Cumberland.  Now driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Mike Cushing, she is owned by Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps.

The boys follow shortly thereafter at 3:15 pm in the pari-mutuel card opener.  Four fellas compete for $14,491 in the Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old colt and gelding trot.  The Trackman has given a slight edge to Outlawofthevalley (6-5, Kevin Switzer Jr., post 3) over Pembroke Traveler (3-2, Heath Campbell, post 4).

Outlawofthevalley is much faster than his record would indicate, having been race timed in 2:03.2 when he finished third in his freshman final.  Owned by Leighton Property and trained by Marc Tardif, the son of Pembroke Slugger earned $39,873 last season.  Outside of him is the horse, Pembroke Traveler, that finished before the former in that 2yo final, race timed in 2:03.  He is trained by Valerie Gronden for owner Bill Varney, and earned $42,617 last season.

The first weekend card on Friday (June 23) boasts an 11-race program.  The co-featured overnights are a pair of $5,000 conditioned pacing races slated as races 5 & 6. 

Saturday’s (June 24) program also carries 11 races, and features the triumphant return of the Maine Amateur Driving Club in the opener.  As always, this series is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine.  In addition, the $5,500 race 10 top trot carries the match up of Plainridge invader Vesuvio Bi (Walter Case Jr.) against home-town stalwart Broadway Giant (Bruce Ranger).

The wagering menu always includes a 50 cent trifecta in every race, as well as the standard collection of lucrative wagers with low 16% takeouts scattered throughout the card. 

Cumberland will offer Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all the pertinent wagering options every Saturday.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/ For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

June 17, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – On a track listed as ‘good,’ the Maine faithful waited patiently in inclement weather for one of their favorite sons, Kevin Switzer Jr., to snag his 3,000^th lifetime victory.  It finally arrived in race seven, where his sister, Candace Brandstatter harnessed the horse El Jacko N and provided the well-known New England driver with his career benchmark. 

Friends and a large, enthusiastic extended family swarmed the winners circle to help the 35-year-old third generation horseman celebrate the momentous occasion. 

Following the festivities, Switzer Jr. shared his excitement with track photographer Stephanie Gray.  “I am very happy to reach this milestone at my home track, with my sister’s horse,” he exclaimed.

“Having my family, friends and colleagues here in the rain makes it much more special for me,” the talented teamster added.  “Thank you to First Tracks [Cumberland] for the recognition today and leading up to today.  I am very grateful to do what I love, in the place that I grew up.”

El Jacko N, the 11-year-old New Zealand-bred son of Elsu, was the 9-5 favorite and paid $2.60 to win.  Owned by P T Stable and trained by Brandstatter, it was 34^th win of his career, and second in a row at Cumberland.

Two $14,684 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies went postward as races one and nine.  The first split saw sophomore filly South St Dottie (Nick Graffam, 5-2) come from off the pace to score over the pacesetting favorite La Mambacity (Heath Campbell, 2-5) to score 2:02.  Trained by Mike Graffam for owner Jan Donaway, the 3-year-old daughter of Western Maverick paid $7.60 to win for just the second time in her career.  Janie finished third.

The second Maine-bred division was captured by the favorite Pickmepickme in wire-to-wire fashion.  Driven by Andy Harrington for owner-trainer-breeder Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick was the top freshman filly in the state of Maine last season.  She paid $2.60 to win the ninth race of her career.  Katelyn’s Angel (Switzer Jr.) finished second and was also trained by Tardif.  Justcallmemimi (Bruce Ranger) was third.

Leading reinsman Bruce Ranger enjoyed three wins on the 12-race program, with Nick Graffam and Andy Harrington each collecting a pair of victories.

Racing resumes Friday (June 23) at First Tracks Cumberland.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

June 16, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Call Me Maverick returned home to Cumberland and returned back to his winning ways, as driver Mike Stevenson gave the Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old male pacing champion of 2021 a coast-to-coast victory for his trainer Alison Hynes and her partner Gordon Corey.

The 5-year-old son of Western Maverick picked up the 24^th victory of his career, and pushed his lifetime earnings to $247,162 for his Upland Farm owners.  Just the third start of the year for the former local hero, the wagering favorite tripped the timer in 1:56.1 to win the opener and pay $2.80 to his many backers.  The Bush Man N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; Drinka Beer (Andy Harrington) was third in the $6,000 featured conditioned pace.

The $5,500 featured trot was another wire-to-wire romp for Mouthpiece and driver Mark Athearn.  Repeating his ‘go to the front and don’t look back’ routine from last week, the 8-year-old son of Noble Venture never had an anxious moment as the pair strolled home a winner in 2:01.  Owned and trained by Gretchen Athearn, he paid $7.60 to win.  Muscle Gene (Aaron Hall) finished second; L Dees Yoyo Ma (Mike Stevenson) was third.

Four drivers enjoyed doubles on the 13-race program, including Walter Case Jr., Dan Deslandes, Aaron Hall and Kevin Switzer Jr.  The first three listed all won back to back races, but Switzer Jr. won the 4^th and the 13^th which put him at just one victory away from reaching the 3,000 career dash win threshold.   Switzer Jr. is loaded for bear tomorrow (Saturday) with 8 programmed drives.

Saturday’s (June 17) program carries 12 races, and features two $14,684 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies, carded as races one and nine.

The wagering menu always includes a 50 cent trifecta in every race, as well as the standard collection of lucrative wagers with low 16% takeouts scattered throughout the card. 

Cumberland will offer Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all the pertinent wagering options every Saturday.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

June 15, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Josie Hall is no stranger to harness racing.  Having been married to trainer/driver Aaron Hall for the last five years, the daily routine of the Standardbred is quite familiar.  However, the title ‘Josie Hall: Horse Owner,’ is something completely new and exciting for the life-long Maine resident.

“It all started when our racing partner Mike McGee was looking for a horse to race this summer in Maine,” noted the 30-year-old pre-school teacher from the quaint, small town of Gardiner.  That’s when they contacted bloodstock agent Marc Reynolds.

Always on the lookout for new horses, Reynolds found a maiden New York-bred filly racing in Delaware with Andrew Stafford.  Unraced last year at two, and now three with eight starts this season, it was evident to her previous owners that she may benefit from a softer landing spot. 

Enter the Halls and their partner McGee who jumped at the chance to acquire Jazzville.  A well-bred Huntsville sophomore, she was a $60,000 yearling purchase in 2021.

“Mike asked if I would like to be a partner on Jazzville and I immediately said yes,” Josie recalled.  “I go to the races all time, and I love to support my husband when he catch drives and races the horses from our stable.  I thought this would be a fun way to get more actively involved.” 

The filly arrived at the Hall’s stable on Monday and was out on the track first thing Tuesday morning.  “She’s a nice filly, perfect size for a half-mile track.  She pops along with two fingers,” noted Aaron Hall.  “I have been jogging her lightly since she arrived.  But we’re going to have Josie go with her next week.”

Mrs. Hall certain knows her way around the barn and can drive a pitchfork with the best of them.  Of course, Josie and Aaron Hall are high school sweethearts that have been together for the last fifteen years, so being immersed in the horse business was not really an option for the former High School Basketball star.  But, this will be the first time that Josie has owned one of her own.

“Don’t get too attached,” her husband joked, “we have a partner.”  But McGee is more than just a partner.  He and Aaron are good friends and have owned horses together for quite some time.  In fact, McGee was the best man at the Halls’ wedding in 2018.

All the Halls stable in Gardiner where their barn of 18 houses stock for Aaron and Josie, as well as his father Craig, brother Ryan Hall and step brother Jason Bertolini.  One could bet that all the Halls will be ‘striking up the band’ when their newest stable-mate makes her debut on Saturday.

Josie Hall and Mike McGee’s Jazzville (5-2) drew post two in the $4,000 maiden pace on Saturday (June 17) with her hubby listed as both trainer and driver.  Slated as race 11, there are six distaffs in the race, with the morning line favorite McSizzla (post one, Andy Harrington) listed at 7-5.  Trained by Sara Harrington, she is the only 4-year-old in the field.  Ironically, a filly by the name of Bet On Jozie (6-1, Bruce Ranger) occupies post five.  Could this be an omen?  Only time will tell.

Racing starts for the weekend at Cumberland on Friday (June 16) with a packed 13-race program.  The feature kicks things off with a $6,000 conditioned pace, led by Bush Man N (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) scoring from post three, and followed closely in the trackman’s selections by Nagle (3-1, Dan Deslandes, post 5).  Getting some post relief this week is Call Me Maverick (4-1, Mike Stevenson, post 2) a former Maine Sires Stakes champion and a proud graduate of the Gordon Corey Institute of Equine Erudition.  Alison Hynes will check him up.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. is tied for second place in the drivers’ standings, and is currently at 2,997 wins lifetime going into the Friday-Saturday programs.  The local trainers must also be feeling the excitement build toward the latest Cumberland driver milestone as Switzer Jr. has 19 mounts over the weekend’s 25 scheduled races.

Two divisions of ‘Learn and Earn’ baby races will be held before Friday’s card starting at 1:15 pm.  The races go for $200 each and give the youngsters a chance to get behind the gate before their freshmen Maine Sire Stakes divisions start in earnest in early July.

Saturday’s (June 17) program carries 12 races, and features two $14,684 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies, carded as races one and nine.

The wagering menu always includes a 50 cent trifecta in every race, as well as the standard collection of lucrative wagers with low 16% takeouts scattered throughout the card. 

Cumberland will offer Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all the pertinent wagering options every Saturday.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

June 11, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Something Bettor A didn’t let something like a broken headpole interfere with his first victory on Maine soil this season, as Ron Cushing valiantly steered his charge to triumph in the $5,500 featured conditioned pace at Cumberland on Saturday (June 10).

The Aussie-bred 6-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight had to get around a couple of leavers; Ry’s Red Rocket (Mark Athearn) who owned pylon starting position, and Grand Gallop Semalu (Dan Deslandes) who rushed out to grab the two hole from post six.  Following a move just past the paddock draw gate, it started out as a routine afternoon stroll around the fairgrounds circuit for the heavily favored Something Bettor A.

After a swift 28 second opening panel, Cushing was able to control the tempo and get a 58.2 breather going to the half.  Deslandes pulled Grand Gallop Semalu first over heading into a 1:27 third stanza, challenging Cushing for the lead.  As Cushing’s Something Bettor A dug in through the final turn, and perhaps got ‘up in the riggin’ during battle, the racing halter ring failed and the head pole became unattached from the horse’s bridle.

Unfazed and unfettered while pacing down the stretch with the ‘inside’ headpole hanging sideways toward the pylons, the pair cruised to victory in 1:56.2 to take the opener by two lengths.  Trained by Heidi Gibbs and owned by Cushing with Kevin Sywyk, it was the tenth victory of Something Bettor A’s career.  He paid $2.40 to win as the 1-5 public choice.  Ry’s Red Rocket finished second; Art Of Endurance (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was a late closing third.

The Cumberland-based, husband and wife team of Mark and Gretchen Athearn got their first win of the Cumberland season with their own Mouthpiece, taking the $4,800 conditioned trot in 2:00.  Mark Athearn drove the 8-year-old Maine-bred son of Noble Venture to his 30^th career victory, paying $12.40 to win in the wire-to-wire score.  Gretchen Athearn owns and trains the lifetime winner of $224,656.

Kevin Switzer Jr. moved closer to his 3,000 win benchmark, taking three races on the day’s program.  The local reinsman is now just 12 scores away from that career driving threshold.  After Switzer Jr., eight different drivers enjoyed victories on ‘Belmont Day.’  Bruce Ranger continues to lead all drivers with 29 wins, followed by Switzer and Nick Graffam who are tied for second with 26.  The meet’s leading conditioner remains Chris Lefebvre with 17 wins. 

Racing resumes Friday (June 16) featuring the Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old pacing fillies.  The Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes will make over a dozen stops at the Southern Maine oval over the course of the next few months.  Established in 1972 by the 108^th Maine Legislature, the program is now enjoying its 51^st year of producing and promoting the competition of Maine bred and sired Standardbreds. 

Every Saturday throughout the summer Cumberland will host racing from Belmont or Saratoga, culminating with the Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day (Aug. 5) and a ‘Hambo’ hat giveaway.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

For more information, check out our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/

June 10, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland *(Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Trotter Muscle Gene took the $5,500 top trot at Cumberland on Friday (June 9) afternoon, winning his second start in row at the Southern Maine oval.  In keeping with previous statements, the horse has done nothing but improve since arriving back in the Pine Tree State in mid-May. 

When the wings folded on the Wes Brown starting gate owner/driver Ron Cushing was content to let the ‘leavers leave’ and take a seat in the middle of the pack.  Me Three (Kevin Switzer Jr.) took the early lead with Thruway (Shawn Thayer) immediately pulling and re-taking command before the 29.2 opening panel.

As the field settled in to round the second turn Thruway (12-1) continued to set the pace with Me Three (6-1) second, Warrawee Preferred (Wally Watson, 12-1) was up close in third with Cushing and Muscle Gene (7-5) sitting comfortably in fourth position.  As soon as the field got to the head of the stretch heading to the half Me Three went off stride and left the course. With the remaining combatants stretched out past the 59.3 half mile marker, Dave Ingraham pulled first over with Midnight Zette (2-1).

Following the third turn Ingraham had ranged up enough to flush the cover of Cushing and Muscle Gene who pulled at the head of the backstretch going into a 1:29.2 third quarter.  Stacked up around the final turn with Thruway’s lead diminishing, Muscle Gene trotted powerfully to the front and never looked back.

Tripping the timer in 2:00.1, the 5-year-old son of Musclesprinctonian paid $4.80 to win.  Trained by Heidi Gibbs, wife and partner of owner/driver Ron Cushing, it was the eleventh victory of the horse’s career, and equaled his seasonal best clocking.  Midnight Zette closed swiftly to be second; Warrawee Preferred was third.

Another local horse with his second win in a row was See You Friday, who did just that.  Driven by Bruce Ranger for trainer Chris Lefebvre, the 9-year-old son of Western Terror took the overland route to take the featured $6,000 conditioned pace in 1:56.3.  Second over at the half, while three-deep at the third panel, See You Friday saw his connections in the winner’s circle of both Maine racetracks in a span of ten days.  Owned by Michelle Lefebvre, it was the 22^nd win of his career, and he paid $9.40.  Call Me Maverick (Mike Stevenson) finished second; Four Finger Floyd (Nick Graffam) was third.

In other news, Steve Wilson took the second race $4,400 trot with Muscle Star, a horse he co-owns with trainer Mike Cushing.  Paying $18.40 to win from post seven, it was a ‘blanket’ photo finish for place with Mo Mo Fashion, J-S For Justice and Foxy Trottin Stick were inches apart.  The 7-year-old son of Muscle Hill demonstrated, in more ways than one, that sometimes ‘back class’ prevails.

Nick Graffam had three wins on the program. Bruce Ranger had a pair of victories, both trained by leading conditioner Chris Lefebvre.  All source wagering exceeded $160,000 for the afternoon card, which was double the amount bet on the same date last year.

Saturday’s (June 10) program carries 11 races, and is highlighted by the $1,500,000 Belmont Stakes.  The track offers Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all of the relevant wagering choices, which will continue throughout the summer.  Every Saturday Cumberland will host racing from Belmont or Saratoga, culminating with the Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day (Aug. 5) and a Hambo hat giveaway.

The featured live race is the $5,500 top pace, with local favorite Ry’s Red Rocket (Mark Athearn) trying to get off the schneid from pylon position.  Local betting options include a 50 cent trifecta on every race, as well as the usual assortment of exotic wagers with low 16% takeout scattered throughout the card. 

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.

June 9, 2023, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Ron Cushing’s Muscle Gene has done nothing but improve since arriving back in the Pine Tree State in mid-May.  Previously the trotter had been toiling in tougher conditioned events at Pocono and Plainridge for his owner/driver Cushing and his trainer Heidi Gibbs.  Picking up checks and paying his way, but the winners circle was seemingly elusive.

That all changed when the horse came to Cumberland, where he has finished third, then second, and then was victorious over the course of his last three starts.

A 5-year-old son of Musclesprinctonian, his sire is hardly a household name, but hails from a family of Grand Circuit champions.  Originally standing in Indiana, but now in Michigan, Musclesprinctonian is a son of the incomparable Muscle Hill.  “Prince’s” dam is the Dan Patch and Hambletonian Oaks champion Broadway Schooner 3,1:53.3 ($885,933).  This makes Musclesprinctonian a half-brother to Broadway Donna 3,1:51.1 ($1,434,735), a Breeders Crown champion and multiple Grand Circuit stakes winner.

Muscle Gene, already the winner of $96,277 lifetime, is from Musclesprinctonian’s second crop of just 12 foals, with the top three starters earning nearly $450,000 combined.

Will his royally-bred sire help Muscle Gene ascend to greater heights?  Only time will tell.  But Cushing has noticed the increased development of the horse, and feels that his recent maturity will only help.

“He really is coming into himself now,” noted Cushing.  “Shaping up and filling out, he is a nice honest horse.  He has gate speed, but we don’t really need to use it too much because he can trot home so strongly.”

“You don’t get paid at the three-eighths pole,” added Cushing with a laugh.

During Friday’s (June 9) 11 race program, Muscle Gene is leaves from pylon position in a field of seven that goes postward in race 8, which is also the start of the pick 4.  Betting options also include a 50 cent trifecta, as well as the usual assortment of exotic wagers with low 16% takeout scattered throughout the card. 

Saturday’s (June 10) program also carries 11 races, and runs concurrent with the $1,500,000 Belmont Stakes.  The 155^th renewal marks the 50^th anniversary of Secretariat’s world record and Triple Crown winning performance.  Cumberland offers Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all the pertinent wagering options.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland 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 5.