Cumberland hosts triple features Friday

CUMBERLAND, ME – The 12-race harness racing card at First Tracks Cumberland on Friday (June 14) carried three features worth $4,800 each, with each race resulting in a new seasonal mark for each of the three victors.

In the first of two $4,800 trots, favorite Power Mitt (Explosive Matter) had everything his own way and cruised somewhat effortlessly to 6-3/4 length wire-to-wire romp with Kevin Switzer Jr. along for the ride in 1:58.1.  It was a new seasonal mark for the 5-year-old, who is trained by Bob Marston for owner Dana Goding.  Paying just $2.60, it was Power Mitt’s third win of the year. Mister Muscle (Nick Graffam) finished second; Thruway (Walter Case Jr.) was third.

POWER MITT REPLAY

The middle half of the $4,800 tri-feature saw Katelyn’s Angel (Western Maverick) dominate a group of seasoned pacing mares to score in a season-equaling best 1:56.2.  Driven by Bruce Ranger for trainer Benson Merrill and owner-breeder Leighton Property, the 4-year-old Maine-bred mare controlled the tempo and paid $5.60 to win by a scant 1-1/4 lengths. Martaritaontherocks (Drew Campbell) finished second; Rojas Blue Chip (Mike Stevenson) was third.

KATELYN’S ANGEL REPLAY

In the third event, trotting favorite C You Again DK (The Liquidator) and driver Bruce Ranger sat in the two-hole until they could see daylight past the three-quarter pole and sprung out to take command around the final turn and score by a length in 1:59.4.  Trained by Benson Merrill for owner Issac Barajas, the Danish-bred 10-year-old paid $3.80 to win for the first time this season. To My Credit (Case) finished second; Prescott (Andy Harrington) was third.

C YOU AGAIN DK REPLAY

Because everyone loves a gray horse and good story with a big payoff, Delightful Virgin (Always A Virgin) swooped the field going from last to first to win a $4,400 fillies and mares conditioned pace.  The 6-year-old gray mare took matters into her own hands when the pace stalled, and the duo went three-wide down the backside to score in 1:58.1 for driver ‘Double Digit’ Dave Ingraham and owner-trainer Kelly Case.

Her first win in several months, the mare paid $16.20 to win for the 15^th time in her career.

DELIGHTFUL VIRGIN REPLAY

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. enjoyed three wins on the program, with Dan Deslandes and Bruce Ranger each picking up a pair.  Trainers Bob Marston and Benson Merrill both grabbed two wins on the card.

The Maine Sire Stakes returns on Saturday (June 15) when Cumberland Raceway will host two $16,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old filly pacers, plus a $6,000 top pace, and two $5,000 divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club on the 11-race card.   There is a carryover in the Pick-5, races 3 through 7.

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, or find us on social media.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland