Big four-bagger for Campbell on Sunday

CUMBERLAND, ME – Harness racing driver Drew Campbell continued his winning ways, taking four races on the Sunday (Nov. 28) card at Cumberland.

Having climbed to the 5,500 win plateau on Saturday (Nov. 28), Campbell wasted no time getting back to the Blue Seal winners circle at the iconic Southern Maine oval the following day.  Campbell grabbed the opener, a $4,500 co-feature conditioned trot with Little Macabee in 2:02.1 on a track rated ‘good.’

Leaving from post three, Campbell raced first over through the middle half and drew off to win by seven for trainer Eric Bickmore and owner Maryann Tompkins.  Little Macabee paid $3.00 to win.  Mack’s Gold Band (1, Bruce Ranger) finished second, Namesmuscle (4, Mark Athearn) was third.

LITTLE MACABEE REPLAY

Campbell came right back to sweep the daily double, a $4,500 co-feature conditioned pace, with Royalty Again.  Getting away in the back of the pack from post two, Campbell was patient and waited until a pedestrian 1:00.1 half mile stanza to get out and rolling from sixth place.

From that point the pair continued to make forward progress, three-wide down the backside and boldly going four-deep in the final turn.  Campbell and Royalty Again found some separation mid-stretch and hit the wire first in 2:01.4 for trainer Randy Bickmore and owner Richard Knight.

Royalty Again paid $9.00 to win.  Humor Me (4, Nick Graffam) finished second, Moonshinecharleigh (3, Walter Case Jr.) was third.

ROYALTY AGAIN REPLAY

Drew Campbell also won the fourth race with 3-year-old trotter America’s Proud in 2:04.2 for trainer Kimberly Vafiades and owner Jason Vafiades.  Completing the grand slam, Campbell wired the field in the fifth with Mach Me Onemore in 2:02 for trainer/owner Christine Holt.

The next three races were captured by driver Kevin Switzer Jr.

Drew Campbell now leads perennial driving champion Bruce Ranger by two dashes, 57-55.

Racing resumes on Tuesday (Nov. 30), and continues on Wednesday (Dec. 1), with post time set for 11:00 a.m.

The Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continues with live harness racing several days each week through December 31, 2021.

Horsemen should note that several Late Closers for the Winter Festival, the Rick Cushing and the Fred Nichols series, will start shortly.  For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com or check the USTA online entry condition sheets when applicable.

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

For full race results, click here.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland