Cumberland honors 12 veteran standardbreds

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Standardbred breed has always beenknown for its stamina and durability, and in no place will this trait be moreevident than on Saturday (Dec. 20) during Cumberland Raceway’s fifth annual AuRevoir Retirement Ceremonies.

Twelve 14-year-old harness racing horses with Maineconnections will be recognized for their racing achievements, as well as theirlongevity during the all-day presentations. Prior to the 10:55 am post time of the first race, the first retired horsenamed Air Force Grad, a gray fan-favorite and barn pet of Cumberland’s outriderSherry Cushing, will be ridden to the winner’s circle to kick off the exhibitions.

All of the horse’s connections will receive a couple ofcommemorative programs complete with photos and bios, as well as a custom-madeplaque with the horse’s name and images proudly displayed.

In addition to the aforementioned Air Force Grad, the otherretirees are: Archetto Hanover, Bali, Dancin Hill, Diabando, Frankandjoanne, MrBo Diddley, One Swan For All, Pembroke Scorpio, Royal Reception, Skyful OfLighters and Warrawee Preferred.  Allhorses will parade in front of the stands, individually and sequentially,before the first seven races on the program.

Among the group, whose combined earnings are $3.5million with an average of over $292,000, there are a few horses withdistinctions worth noting.

“Archetto Hanover may be the Standardbred who hascompeted at more extended pari-mutuel tracks (26) than any other horse inrecent history,” noted Derick Giwner, editor of DRF Harness.  The son of Bettor’s Delight is also therichest $576,699 and has the most starts (421) of any other horse being feted.

Local trotting war-horse Warrawee Preferred has thedistinction of the highest win percentage (22%) and is tied with pacer Bali ashaving the most wins (68).

Dancin Hill is the group’s fastest pacer at 1:50.1 andLisa Watson’s One Swan For All is the swiftest trotter with a mark of 1:54.1.

Overall, the group has been behind the starting car animpressive 3,501 times, with an average of 292 starts per retiree.

The lone starter on the day will be Pembroke Scorpiowho is listed as 6-1 in the morning line in race five with Andy Harringtondriving for owner-trainer Patricia Sumner. She stated, “I can say without hesitation he’s brought a happy smile tome for a long time, he’s part of me and he deserves the best of everything inhis retirement.”

A life-long resident of Maine, his prior name was ScorpioSeelster, but was purchased as a yearling by Bill Varney and re-named PembrokeScorpio.  Then he was sold to KenUnderhill and Heath Campbell, then passed to Valerie Grondin, and then ended upin the barn with the Sumners.

There is yet another ‘retiree’ that will have to waitanother few days before he can officially call it quits.  Mr Bo Diddly, owned by Adalberto Silva andCourtney Pitts, was in-to-go on Friday (Dec. 19) but that card was postponed toMonday (Dec. 22) due to high winds in the region.  He scores from post five with Aaron Hall inrace one and has been listed as 4-1 on the morning line.

Aside from the Au Revoir ceremonies, Cumberland alsohosts several Winter Pop-Up Series finals this weekend.  The $10,000 Prancer final and two consolations($5,000 Cupid and $6,000 Comet) go on Saturday (Dec. 20).

Sunday’s (Dec. 21) card features $12,500 Blitzen final,two $10,000 finals of the Comet and Dasher, and the $7,500 Cupid Pop-Up Seriesfinal.

Mandatory payouts originally scheduled for Sunday willnow be ‘must pays’ on the original Friday (Dec. 19) card postponed to Monday(Dec. 22).  Post time remains 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com/
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For complete race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland