‘Rocket’ looks to strike while the iron is hot

CUMBERLAND, ME – Ry’s Red Rocket (Sunshine Beach) has been on an absolute tear since early May, ripping off three wins and four seconds in her last seven starts.  Trained and owned by veteran New England master horseman Donnie Richards, and driven by up-and-coming young gun Matty “Ice” Athearn, Ry’s Red Rocket looks to even up her own score with a win this weekend.

“She’s awesome to sit behind. She loves her job and loves to chase a horse down,” stated Athearn.

Matt Athearn was aboard the 5-year-old when she set a track record of 1:54.2 on Memorial Day weekend at First Tracks Cumberland.

Of course Richards was pleased as well.  Athearn recalls, “He smiled from ear to ear, shook my hand, and said ‘That was one of the best victories of my career.’”

Grabbing the reins on racehorses for a legend like Donnie Richards, a man nearly four times his age, is not lost on the twenty-something Athearn.

“Driving for Donnie is such an honor,” Athearn said.  “He never complains and never tells me what to do.  It’s a great feeling having a Hall of Famer trust you with the lines when you’re only 24!”

Looking ahead, Matty “Ice” opined, “I think if the race has a quick first half she will come to play in the second half,” Athearn added.

Ry’s Red Rocket scores from post five in the $6,000 4- & 5-year-old Open Pace on Friday (July 15), and has been installed as the 5-2 morning line early favorite.

Another horse with a handsome résumé is Readyfortheladys (Always A Virgin, post 4, Aaron Hall, 3-1), who is coming off a pair of victories against lesser company.  Tune in around 5:30 pm on Friday to see if this 4yo is indeed ready for this lady in ‘Red.’

Friday’s (July 15) card has a total of 11 races on the program, and one early non-betting race, which includes an $11,878 leg of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies. The Maine-bred pacers continue with two more legs for 3-year-old pacing fillies on the regular program.

The $11,000e divisions are carded as races one and three, the first of which includes Pembroke Legacy (Baron Biltmore) who is a perfect 3-for-3 in Maine Breeders Stakes action this season for the trainer/driver/owner/breeder team of Valerie Grondin, Heath Campbell & Bill Varney.

The racing continues on Saturday (July 16) with 9 races on the wagering card, including another $4,200 leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds, along with several Open Trot and Open Pace races.

Mister Muscle (Muscle Mass) will be looking for his third win a row in the $6,500 Open 2-3 Trot.  Jamie Gerard trains the 8yo, and Bruce Ranger will drive from post five.

There will also be with three non-betting races, starting at 2:30 pm, featuring the ‘Glamour Boys’ division of a nine-horse, $12,479 Maine Breeders Stakes leg for 3-year-old pacing colts, as well as two $11,000e divisions for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

The final race on both Friday and Saturday features our 20 cent Hi-Five (Pentafecta), with a low takeout of 16%.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

For complete non-wagering race entries, click here.

For complete pari-mutuel race entries, click here.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland