Humor Me is no laughing matter at Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Adding another victory to her win column at First Tracks Cumberland on Tuesday (Nov. 23), the harness racing pacing mare Humor Me has been a lot of fun for owner Pete Haskell and trainer Kimberley Vafiades.

For the eleventh time this season, the 6-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight has found the Blue Seal winners circle at the iconic Southern Maine oval.

Despite the conditions being less than ideal, Humor Me cruised to a four-length score while in rein to driver Nick Graffam.

“I have owned horses for over forty years,” noted the mare’s 79-year-old owner.  “And I have had some luck here and there.  But this mare is as tough as they come.”

Leaving from post three, Graffam methodically worked his way to the lead over the muddy surface and kept the mare on the point for a mile in 2:02.1.  The opening event was the featured race of the day, and with Humor Me the favorite, a $2 win ticket still paid $4.80.  Moonshinecharleigh (Walter Case Jr.) finished second and Whatchagonnadoboo (Aaron Hall) was third.

HUMOR ME REPLAY

The challenging surface wreaked havoc on the chalk as no betting favorite won another heat until the tenth race finale.  Top driver Bruce Ranger scored with Rockin Lisa, which was his second victory of the day and put him back into first place in the driver standings at Cumberland.

Ranger is just one dash ahead of fellow Maine driver Drew Campbell (52-51), the latter being just three scores away from reaching the 5,500 win plateau.

Drivers Dan Deslandes, Mike Stevenson and Kevin Switzer Jr. also enjoyed driving doubles.

Racing resumes on Friday (Nov. 26) with three divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club and all the regular wagering products that punters would want or expect on a ‘Black’ Friday harness racing program, including a Pick 5, Pick 4, Pick 3, a 20 cent Super, two daily doubles, and exacta and trifecta wagering in every race.

The Pick 5 features a $2,500 guaranteed pool.

Our 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 Late Closing Series will start in a few short weeks.  For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

For full race results, click here.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland