Walter Case, Jr. drives feature winner at Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Warrawee Preferred (Federal Flex) won the $7,500 Jack Frost Preferred Trot at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday (April 13), which was his second win of the week.  Driven to victory by Walter Case Jr. for trainer McKenzie Sowers, the 13-year-old had just won a $7,500 NAADA amateur event at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday.

A robust crowd enjoyed food and refreshments in the grandstand and partly sunny skies on the apron for the fourth annual opening day of the Spring-Summer meet at the iconic Southern Maine oval.  Punters wagered $104,719 on the eleven-race card, which was the first of over 50 race dates at the extended pari-mutuel harness track.

Scoring from post 7, Case and Warrawee Preferred grabbed early position by ducking in the 4-hole heading into a :29.2 opening panel set by Mister Muscle (Aaron Hall).  Approaching the softer 1:02.1 half, Power Mitt (Kevin Switzer Jr.) had pulled first up and Warrawee Preferred benefitted from the live cover second over.

As the field picked up momentum toward the third stanza in 1:32, Warrawee Preferred was three-wide on the outside and had just Power Mitt to contend with around the final turn and through the stretch.  The pair battled down the lane, but it was the 6-5 favorite Warrawee Preferred that prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths in the final strides to get his second victory in a row.

Owned by Ryan Berry, it was the 65^th win of his career, pushing his lifetime bankroll to $359,736.  He paid $4.40 to win.  Prescott (Andy Harrington) got up to be second; Power Mitt hung on for third.

WARRAWEE PREFERRED REPLAY

The Deslandes clan followed up their big qualifying day with a four-bagger on the afternoon program.  Driver Dan, trainer Jeff and caretaker Kori took home all the bacon with victories by: Fomor (2:06.3, $4.40), J S Peyton (2:02, $4.20), Granny’s Girl (1:59.1, $3.00) and Grand Galop Semalu (2:01, $2.80).

Driver Mike Stevenson enjoyed a double on the card, including a $36.20 score with his own charge Rojas Blue Chip.

Racing returns for Sunday’s (April 14) card which features a Winners Over $10,000 handicap vying for $7,000 in purse money.

The Bird Dance N, fresh off an his 1:57.1 qualifier on Tuesday, has been listed as the 6-5 early choice.  Driven by the red-hot Dan Deslandes (post 5) for trainer Karl Butterfield, the 9-year-old son of a Rocknroll Dance earned $68,491 last season with 10 wins in 27 starts.  He already has 9 starts this season and appears to be in top form.

The second choice is Alex Having Fun (Aaron Hall, post 6), who has been freshened up by owner/trainer Kimberly Vafiades and looks to expand upon his 2023 $90,740 seasonal total.

The Maine Amateur Driving Club also makes its Spring debut with fan favorite Putnam’s Storm (and 86-year-old Bob Nadeau) taking on the Maine faithful in the $5,000 event sponsored by Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Sunday’s Card features eleven races with post time slated for 3:15 pm.

Horsemen are reminded to check the US Trotting’s online condition sheet for next week’s double draw which will be held Tuesday (April 16) for the Friday & Saturday (April 19 & 20) race dates.  Additional information, plus live coverage and replays and is available on our website: here.

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

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland