May 5, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Just before the college band played the iconic song My Old Kentucky Home at Churchill Downs Saturday (May 4), So Rock N’ Roll played a familiar tune of his own:  winning another race at First Tracks Cumberland.

Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, perennial leading driver Bruce Ranger was content to let a bevy of anxious pacers leave swiftly from the start in the $6,000 featured pacing contest.  Ranaldi (Drew Campbell) set a scorching 28.4 bee-line for the quarter pole from post 4, with Lexus Witha View A (Nick Graffam) grabbing the 2-hole.  Bet On Joe (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was a bit more relaxed in third position with Ranger ducking So Rock N’ Roll back down to the pylons in fourth.

While Drew Campbell thought he could give Ranaldi a 59.1 (30.2) half-mile breather, that slower pace prompted Ranger to pull first over and offer his melody to the leader.  Because every action causes a reaction, Graffam popped the two-hole with Lexus Witha View A who jumped up and looked Ranaldi right in the eye at the 1:27.2 third panel.

Even though So Rock N’ Roll enjoyed some brief cover down the backside, Ranger pulled three-wide on the outside around the final turn and was gaining momentum with every stride.  As the field turned for home the favorite increased his tempo and danced away from the rest of the band in 1:57, prevailing by 1-1/2 lengths.

Trained by Larry Dancer for owner-breeder Leighton Property, the 4-year-old son of Western Maverick picked up his third win of the season in just 6 starts.  He paid $3.40 to win and pushed his lifetime bankroll to $265,791.

PBR Street Gang (Aaron Hall) charged home to be second; Bet On Joe finished third.

Michael Girouard won the $5,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) event with his own Furious Beach in 2:01.3.  Scoring from post 6, he was parked the last half, and boldly paced three-wide down the backside to catch pacesetting favorite Premier Joy A (McKenzie Sowers) and win by 2-1/2 lengths.  He paid $9.20 to win.

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

Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. both enjoyed driving doubles, and trainer Larry Dancer also picked up a pair of victories.

Racing resumes at the Southern Maine harness racing facility on Friday (May 10) with a 3:15 pm post time.

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.

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

May 4, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Power Mitt paid no attention to the tote board as the 8-1 longshot upset Maine’s top trotters to capture the $6,000 feature at Cumberland on Friday (May 3).

When the wings folded several of those from the upper echelon set scurried out for chance at the lead.  When the dust settled J S Peyton (Drew Campbell) made the top, with Warrawee Preferred (Walter Case Jr.) protecting his inside position and forcing 8-5 favorite Knight Angel (Aaron Hall) into third.

As the field approached the 29.1 opening panel, the leader’s stablemate Elegant Dulupin FR (Dan Deslandes) ranged up on the outside to take command.  The seven combatants remained in perfect alignment passing the stands for the first time and through a 59.2 half-mile marker.

At the five-eighths pole track announcer Mike Cushing exclaimed, “now Knight Angel has thrown his hat into the ring as he steps into the outer flow.”  Kevin Switzer Jr. and Power Mitt used that live cover to come second over from fifth as the pack tightened up dramatically as they passed the paddock draw gate.

Just past the 1:30.3 third panel Knight Angel had moved up to the lead and had nearly passed Elegant Dulupin FR, with Power Mitt now three-wide and rolling through the final turn.  With Knight Angel unable to get by Elegant Dulupin FR and Power Mitt steamrolling down the center of the track, the troika battled wheel-to-wheel down the stretch.

With all of the screaming and shouting of a heavy weight title bout, Power Mitt prevailed in the final steps to win by a measured length in 2:01.  Motto (Bruce Ranger) came flying on the far outside to get up for second.  Knight Angel finished third.

Trained by Bob Marston for owner Dana Goding, the 5-year-old son of Explosive Matter paid $18.40 to win back-to-back starts.

Driver Andy Harrington picked up three wins on the card, all from the stable of his wife Sara Harrington.  Larry Dancer also enjoyed a training triple.  Aaron Hall, Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. all grabbed driving doubles.

Harness racing resumes on Saturday (May 4) at First Tracks Cumberland (post time 3:15 pm) where fans and bettors can also watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Saturday’s 150^th Run for the Roses.  Doors open at 12 noon on Derby Day for the full-card simulcast of horse racing’s biggest day, with a host of food and beverage options available all day at the iconic Cumberland Fairgrounds. 

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.

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

May 2, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s top trotters will go postward just after the famed Kentucky Oaks winning filly dons her blanket of roses on Friday (May 3) at Cumberland.  The afternoon card features 11 races, with the $6,000 featured trot slated as race 9 with Knight Angel (3-1) listed as the early morning line favorite, and runs in concert with racing from Louisville, Kentucky.

Owned, trained and driven by Aaron Hall, the 8-year-old son of Archangel landed in New England from the Team Miller – Orange Crush Stable in December of last year.  He won his first qualifier in the Pine Tree State and then a leg of the Jack Frost series in 2:00.4.

With just two starts under his belt this season, Knight Angel finished second against this group last week, race timed in 1:58.3.  He scores from slot 4, Cumberland’s winningest (23.2%) post position.

Hall likes his horse and is happy with how he has come back from his break.

“He is in with a tough group.  He will have to be even better this week to have a shot,” noted the prominent Maine horseman.

Looking to upset the apple cart is J S Peyton (7-2), who sports two wins in his last three starts, and is the close second choice, scoring from post 5. 

Trained by Jeff Deslandes, he will be driven by North America’s leading UDRS (<300 starts, 0.436) driver Dan Deslandes.  In fact, on April 30 his driving stats were an even more impressive 0.475 in that same category.  So far this season the Deslandes clan has dominated the leader board at First Tracks Cumberland with 15 training wins and 16 driving victories.

Not to be overlooked from pylon position is Power Mitt (4-1) who won handily last week in 1:58.3 against a softer bunch.  Trained by Bob Marston, he gets the return services of last season’s leading driver Kevin Switzer Jr.

With horse racing’s Kentucky Derby taking center stage in the national spotlight this weekend, Cumberland Raceway offers live harness racing on both Friday (May 3) and Saturday (May 4), along with coverage of two of the biggest days on the Thoroughbred Triple Crown calendar.

Fans and bettors can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Saturday’s 150^th Run for the Roses.  Doors open at 12 noon on Saturday for the full-card simulcast of horse racing’s biggest day, with a host of food and beverage options available all day at the iconic Cumberland Fairgrounds. 

In addition, fans and patrons may also watch and wager on Friday’s Kentucky Oaks card from Churchill Downs, while the harness racing action opens the horse-centric weekend on Friday (May 3).  First post is at 3:15 pm.   Both Harness and Thoroughbred programs will be available.

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.

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

–30–

April 30, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – With horse racing’s Kentucky Derby taking center stage in the national spotlight this weekend, Cumberland Raceway will offer both live harness racing on Friday (May 3) and Saturday (May 4), along with coverage of two of the biggest days on the Thoroughbred Triple Crown calendar.

Fans and bettors can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Saturday’s 150^th Run for the Roses.  Doors open at 12 noon for the full-card simulcast of horse racing’s biggest day, 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 4, Kentucky Derby Day).  Both Harness and Thoroughbred programs will be available.

In addition, fans and patrons may also watch and wager on Friday’s Kentucky Oaks card from Churchill Downs, while the harness racing action opens the horse-centric weekend on Friday (May 3).  Post time is 3:15 pm.

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.

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

April 28, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Former National Amateur Driver of the Year Todd Whitney showed he still has ‘what it takes’ when he guided All It Takes to a wire-to-wire victory in Saturday’s (April 27) $5,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) race at Cumberland, Maine.

Scoring from post six, the veteran reinsman had to hustle his charge from the starting gate to make the lead going into the 29 opening panel.  Held at bay until that marker by 1-5 favorite Furious Beach (Michael Girouard), the pair were on top and managed to catch a quick breather while heading to the 59.1 half, with the favorite now glued to his helmet.

Past the 1:28.3 third stanza Riproy (Benson Merrill) pulled the three hole and was all alone first over as the field rolled through the final turn following Whitney and the 7-1 longshot All It Takes. 

As they straightened out for the stretch drive the favorite Furious Beach ducked along the pylons and made a frantic bid to pass the leader.  With every stride the pair exchanges glances, but to no avail as the leader, All It Takes showed that he still had ‘all it took’ to hold on and score by half a length in 1:59.

Trained by David Sawyer and owned by Wil Dubois, the 10-year-old son of Mach Three picked up the 33^rd win of his career and his first of the season.  He paid $16.00 to win.  Riproy finished third.

For Todd Whitney, it was his first drive of the season, and he made it a winning effort.  Participating in harness racing since 1998, this was the 179^th victory of his career.  Whitney earned USHWA’s National Amateur Driving Champion title in 2009.

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

The $6,000 featured pacing race of the day was captured by Ranaldi (Drew Campbell) in 1:57.3.  Trained by Cain MacKenzie for owner Common Kings Stable, the 5-year-old son of Western Maverick paid $25.20 to win.  Bet On Joe (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Tim McMiki (Mike Stevenson) was third.

The swiftest race of the day was seized by 2023 Maine Sire Stakes star So Rock N’ Roll who scored by nine lengths in 1:56.3.  Driven by Andy Harrington for trainer Larry Dancer, the 4-year-old son of Western Maverick is owned and was bred by the Leighton’s, paying $4.40 for his second win of the season.

Driver Dan Deslandes had another driving double on the program.  Jeff Deslandes and Larry Dancer picked each up two training wins.

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland on Friday (May 3) and Saturday (May 4, Kentucky Derby Day) with post time slated for 3:15 pm each day.

In addition, the public can watch and wager on the 150^th renewal of the Run for the Roses from Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.  The highly anticipated Kentucky Derby is this Saturday (May 4), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland.  The track’s new and improved snack bar is operating with a great selection of food and drink options.

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue 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.

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

April 27, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. enjoyed a grand slam at Cumberland on Friday (April 26), which included a pocket-trip score with Armagedon Seelster in the $6,000 featured trot.

When the wings folded 2-1 slight second choice J S Peyton (Dan Deslandes) dashed right out for the lead from post 2, with Switzer Jr. pushing Armagedon Seelster swiftly out into the center of the track from post 6 to muscle his way into the 2-hole. 

Slender favorite Motto (Bruce Ranger) was unable to get into gear and trailed the field through the 28.2 opening panel.  Heading to the 58.3 half, the only horse in the outer flow was Elegant Dulupin FR (Dave Ingraham), who had a lot of ground to make up from sixth.

As the field approached the 1:27.4 third stanza, Armagedon Seelster had tipped off the helmet of J S Peyton and was poised to pounce.  Around the final turn Switzer’s charge looked the leader right in the eye, and then went right on by as the pair trotted home to victory by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:58.1.

Owned by P T Stable (Patrick Tortorello) and trained by Candace Brandstatter, it was the 22^nd career victory for the 9-year-old son of Muscle Mass.  Paying $9.80 for his third win of the season, the score brought Armagedon Seelster’s lifetime earnings up to $331,305.

Knight Angel (Aaron Hall) got up for second; J S Peyton hung on for third.

Switzer Jr. nearly captured a natural grand slam, three of which being trotting races.  He won the fifth race with Power Mitt (1:58.3, $4.60), sixth with Pretty Gorgeous (1:58.1, $9.40), the aforementioned seventh with Armagedon Seelster, and came back to grab the ninth with Caulfield (2:02.2., $2.40).

Drew Campbell and Dan Deslandes each enjoyed driving doubles on the program.  Jeff Deslandes and Bob Marston both harnessed a pair of winners.

Racing resumes on Saturday (April 27) which has a full, twelve-race card, including the third leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club.  Going postward as race 3, the 5-2 favorite is Furious Beach with owner-driver Michael Girouard leaving from post 5.

The $5,000 event is faithfully sponsored by the helpful folks at Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The $6,000 featured pace (race 9) sees Runrunjimmydunn N as the early 9-5 favorite with Kevin Switzer Jr. aboard from post 3.  Railbird PBR Street Gang (Nick Graffam) is the second choice, listed at 2-1.

Every race carries a 50 cent trifecta, and the card also carries a host of 20 cent superfectas, a 50 cent pick 4 and the final race delivers our 20 cent pentafecta (super high five) with a low 16% takeout. 

Post time for both days is set for 3:15 pm.  

Looking ahead to next week, the public can watch and wager on the 150^th renewal of the Run for the Roses from Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.  The highly anticipated Kentucky Derby is next Saturday (May 4), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland.  In addition, a new and improved snack bar has opened on the premises in an effort to give fans a hearty selection of food and drink options.

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue 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.

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

April 25, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Conrad photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Motto, a 5-year-old gelding by Creatine, has spent most of his racing career battling the better trotters in his native Buckeye State.  Unraced at 2, Motto earned $139,096 at 3, primarily in the Ohio Sire Stakes, but also in overnights from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic. 

Last year at 4 he did not return to the form he had displayed 3 and earned just $18,210 in 15 starts.  However, this year at five he has been a model of consistency where he had a win and four second-place finishes in his last six starts at Miami Valley.  His seasonal total of $41,040 was impressive enough to attract the attention of outside interests.  In late-March he was purchased by Derek Robishaw and Gayle Harris of Maine and landed in New England in the Mark Harris Stable.

For his first start in the Bay State he picked up a show finish at 15-1 for driver Bruce Ranger.  Friday (April 26) he scores from post 7 in the $6,000 featured trot at Cumberland.  Installed as the 3-1 early morning line second choice, with Ranger driving again, he enters the race with twice as much money earned this season than several of his colleagues. 

We have to go back several years to 2022 to find the last time Motto raced on a half-mile track, which was at the famed home of the Little Brown Jug, Delaware, Ohio where he finished third in a division of the Ohio Breeders Championship to multiple stakes winner Rose Run Xtra in 1:55.

Interestingly enough, the favorite J S Peyton leaves from pylon position (5-2) with Dan Deslandes who picked that horse over stable mate and last week’s winner Elegant Dulupin FR who drew post 8.

Friday’s card carries eleven races where Saturday (April 27) has an even dozen, which includes the third leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club.  Going postward as race 3, the 5-2 favorite is Furious Beach with owner-driver Michael Girouard leaving from post 5.

The $5,000 event is faithfully sponsored by the helpful folks at Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The $6,000 featured pace (race 9) sees Runrunjimmydunn N as the early 9-5 favorite with Kevin Switzer Jr. aboard from post 3.  Railbird PBR Street Gang (Nick Graffam) is the second choice, listed at 2-1.

Every race, all weekend long, has a 50 cent trifecta, and the card also carries a host of 20 cent superfectas, a 50 cent pick 4 and the final race delivers our 20 cent pentafecta (super high five) with a low 16% takeout. 

Post time for both days is set for 3:15 pm.   

Looking ahead to next week, the public can watch and wager on the 150^th renewal of the Run for the Roses from Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.  The highly anticipated Kentucky Derby is next Saturday (May 4), with programs, big screen television viewing and betting all available at the Fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland.  In addition, a new and improved snack bar has opened on the premises in an effort to give fans a hearty selection of food and drink options.

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue 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.

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

April 21, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Up-and-coming driver Hunter Lofthus provided Polyester with a patient steer to capture the meet’s second $5,000 Maine Amateur Driving event by half the length of the stretch at Cumberland on Saturday (April 20).

When the wings folded Benson Merrill pushed the 8-5 favorite Southwind Terror out to the lead from post 3, with Led Schneppelin (Jason Bertolini) ducking in the two-hole and I’ll Call U Later (Derick Howes) settling in third.

As the field passed the quarter-mile marker in 29 seconds, the leader Southwind Terror had gained a three-length advantage on the pack.  Track announcer Mike Cushing noted that ‘Benson Merrill had his hands full,’ when the duo entered the stretch going to the 59.4 half.  Positions had not changed, but the group had tightened up a bit with Putnam’s Storm (Bob Nadeau) moving first over from fourth, with Polyester right on his helmet in the outer flow and revving up in fifth.

When the fray had reached the 1:30 third stanza Lofthus, who had been three-wide on the backside since the paddock drawgate, had overtaken Putnam’s Storm and then the leader Southwind Terror.  By the time they hit the final turn Lofthus had the 4-year-old mare by Dude’s The Man on top by four, and looking for more.

Leaving the field in their wake, the dominant pair added separation with every stride, tripping the timer in 1:59.4 and prevailing by 16 lengths.  Owned and trained by Jamie Gerard, Polyester paid $6.00 to win for the first time this season, and for the 9^th time in her career.  Her lifetime earnings are now $74,924.

I’ll Call U Later got up in the final strides for second, and is also trained by Jamie Gerard.  CBF Bantam (David Crochere) was third.  The weekly event is faithfully sponsored by the good people at Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The $6,000 featured race of the day was captured by Second Bruiser in 1:58.2.  Driven by Drew Campbell for owner-trainer Eric Bickmore, the favorite paid $3.80 to win the conditioned pace by a half-length over Drinka Beer (Andy Harrington).  Lexus Witha View A (Nick Graffam) was third.

Kevin Switzer Jr. enjoyed his second hat trick in a row, winning three on the Saturday card.  Drivers Drew Campbell, Nick Graffam and Dan Deslandes all picked up driving doubles.

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland on Friday (April 26).  The Spring/Summer meet will continue 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.

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

April 20, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – French trotter Elegant Dulupin FR was parked every step of the way and resolutely prevailed over the favorite McStoned Again to take Friday’s (April 19) $6,000 featured trot at Cumberland.

Steered steadily by hot driver Dan Deslandes, the 10-year-old son of Jasmin De Flore was eased out from behind the starting car from post 2, and took position outside of the pacesetting 4-5 choice McStoned Again (Nick Graffam).  Going to the 30 second first quarter, it looked like the victor was going to take a seat.  But then tactics changed and the French horse did what many European trotters do, continued rolling on the outside for the duration of the race.

As the leader hit the half in 1:00.1 the aggressor was just a quarter length off the top.  By the 1:30.3 third panel it was barely a nose that separated the pair.  As the field turned for home it looked like McStoned Again may prevail, having outlasted the parked immigrant.

However Deslandes had other ideas as he continued to wear down the leader, and despite drifting slightly in mid-stretch, Elegant Dulupin FR made one final surge in the shadow of the wire to triumph by a neck in 2:01.1.

Owned by Lawrence Huckins and trained by Jeff Deslandes, Elegant Dulupin FR paid $5.00 to win for the 29^th time in his career.  The victory pushed his lifetime earnings to $386,499.

Inquiring Mind (Steve Wilson) finished third.

The swiftest race of the day went to Adriano Hanover in 1:57.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer-owner Gerald MacKenzie Jr., the 7-year-old son of Western Ideal ran off and hid by 6-3/4 lengths in the $4,000 conditioned pace.  He paid $2.20 for his 27^th lifetime score, pushing his career bankroll to $334,463.

Pretty Gorgeous grabbed the $6,500 FM conditioned pace in 1:58.2, giving driver Kevin Switzer Jr. a hat trick on the card.  Trained by Larry Dancer for owners John and Thelma Kiernan, the 7-year-old mare by I’m Georgeous paid $13.40 in defeating heavy 1-5 favorite Granny’s Girl by a neck in a three-way photo.

Racing resumes Saturday’s (April 20) when the upper echelon male pacers tussle in the 3^rd race, with Second Bruiser (Drew Campbell, 2-1) set as the early morning line favorite from pylon position in the $6,000 event.  Trained by Eric Bickmore, the 6-year-old is looking for 2-in-a-row, having defeated a softer group last week.  Second choice is Art Of Endurance (Switzer Jr., 7-2) with post 4, who won 5-in-a-row at Cumberland last winter.  Lexus Witha View (Nick Graffam, 9-2) rounds out the top three contenders.

The Maine Amateur Driving Club goes postward as Saturday’s race 11, with some of the series’ most popular horses and drivers competing for purses and bragging rights. 

Jason Bertolini drives his trusty Led Schneppelin (7-1) from pylon position, with Southwind Terror (Benson Merrill) leaving from post 3 as the early 2-1 favorite.  Just outside of him is the fan favorite Putnam’s Storm (Bob Nadeau) and then perhaps the season’s most seasoned entry, Polyester (Hunter Loftfus, post 5) who has 10 seasonal starts under his belt and is now listed at 5-2.

The $5,000 event is faithfully sponsored by the helpful folks at Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Saturday’s Card features twelve races with post time set at 3:15 pm.

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue 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.

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

April 18, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two dozen races comprise the second full weekend of racing at Cumberland Raceway in Southern, Maine, with full and competitive fields providing horsemen and bettors alike something to cheer about.

Friday’s (April 19) card features five trotting races, with the $6,000 featured class going postward in the opener.  Nick Graffam gets the call on the 6-5 favorite McStoned Again, who scores from post 5.  Trained by Chris Hitchcock, the 6-year-old son of Wishing Stone earned $69,981 last year, winning 8 races locally and in his native Buckeye State.  

To his left is Broadway Giant (Bruce Ranger, 3-1) who is looking to return to Cumberland’s Blue Seal Winners Circle, which he had visited on several occasions last winter.  Elegant Dulupin FR, a French-bred trotter who is now harnessed by the powerful Deslandes clan, has post 2 and comes off a sharp qualifier, which was an open-length winning effort last week.

The top filly and mare pacers enter the fray in race 11, with three recent winners vying for the $6,500 purse.

Granny’s Girl (Dan Deslandes, 6-5) will look to repeat her wire-to-wire 1:59.1 effort last week.  She scores from post five and is the freshest of the bunch with this being just her second seasonal start.  Pretty Gorgeous (Kevin Switzer Jr., 4-1) appears to be race-ready as she makes her 13^th seasonal start and shows 1:57 speed in many of her recent lines.

Looking ahead, the upper echelon male pacers tussle in Saturday’s (April 20) 3^rd race, with Second Bruiser (Drew Campbell, 2-1) set as the early morning line favorite from pylon position in the $6,000 event.  Trained by Eric Bickmore, the 6-year-old is looking for 2-in-a-row, having defeated a softer group last week.  Second choice is Art Of Endurance (Switzer Jr., 7-2) with post 4, who won 5-in-a-row at Cumberland last winter.  Lexus Witha View (Nick Graffam, 9-2) rounds out the top three contenders.

The Maine Amateur Driving Club goes postward as Saturday’s race 11, with some of the series’ most popular horses and drivers competing for purses and bragging rights. 

Jason Bertolini drives his trusty Led Schneppelin (7-1) from pylon position, with Southwind Terror (Benson Merrill) leaving from post 3 as the early 2-1 favorite.  Just outside of him is the fan favorite Putnam’s Storm (Bob Nadeau) and then perhaps the season’s most seasoned entry, Polyester (Hunter Loftfus, post 5) who has 10 seasonal starts under his belt and is now listed at 5-2.

The $5,000 event is faithfully sponsored by the helpful folks at Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Saturday’s Card features twelve races with post time for both days at 3:15 pm.

First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue 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.

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