Duo duke it out in Cumberland co-feature

CUMBERLAND, ME – Warm temperatures resulted in fast miles on Saturday’s (May 28) harness racing program at Cumberland, which helped leading driver Matt Athearn put a 1:54.2 seasonal mark on Ry’s Red Rocket (Sunshine Beach) while winning the $5,200 co-featured pace.

Leaving from post six in a seven-horse field, Matty “Ice” hustled the 5-year-old mare ahead of the pack, only to be met with immediate resistance on the inside from Go Sandy Go (Aaron Hall).

The two mares opened up seven-plus lengths on the field as they paced down the backside into a swift 27.1 opening panel.  As the field passed the stands for the first time, the ladies continued to gain separation from the rest of the contenders as the leaders hit the half in 56.2.

Out of the paddock turn Athearn sensed an opportunity to challenge the tempo-setting Go Sandy Go, and as the pair reached the three-quarters in a grueling 1:25.1, Ry’s Red Rocket was given her cue and moved up alongside the frontrunner.

Stride for stride the pair paced in tandem around the final turn and down the home stretch.  Within a stone’s throw from the wire the victor managed to gain an advantage in the hard-fought battle for bragging rights.

RY’S RED ROCKET REPLAY

Tripping the timer in 1:54.2, Ry’s Red Rocket got her second win in three outings for owner/trainer Donnie Richards.  Go Sandy Go hung on by a length to be an ultra-game second, with Terror Hall back 7-3/4 lengths for third.  Ry’s Red Rocket paid $7.20 to win.

Rocksapatriot won the 100^th start of his career, grabbing his 21^st lifetime victory in the $5,500 Open III Pace for veteran reinsman Dave Ingraham.

Quick Fun N (Joey Mosher) left swiftly from post six to gain a tactical advantage but was forced to swing wide through the turn before assuming command in a 28 second opening panel.  Mosher got the breather he wanted in the form of a 58.3 half, while the outer flow started to develop.

The first to move was Jet Aviation (Bruce Ranger) who was immediately followed by Rocksapatriot (Rockincam) as the field pushed into the paddock turn.  Pacing into a 1:26.4 third panel, Dan Deslandes could wait no longer and moved Nagel three-wide alongside Rocksapatriot as the pacesetting Quick Fun N started to fade.

As the field rounded the final turn the three leaders matched strides, and from the rail out neither Jet Aviation, nor Rocksapatriot, or Nagle gave an inch.  When the group straightened out for the stretch drive, Ingraham jiggled the lines at Rocksapatriot and the classy campaigner responded by stepping away from the troika by two lengths to win in 1:55.4.

ROCKSAPATRIOT REPLAY

Trained by Kelly Case for owner Stephen Farrell, the 7-year-old gelding paid $5.80 to win.  Nagle finished second, Jet Aviation was third.

Kevin Switzer and Drew Campbell both enjoyed driving doubles on the 10-race program.  When the dust settled, Campbell’s deuce put him into a tie with Matt Athearn for first place in the drivers’ standings with 19 seasonal Cumberland victories.  Dan Deslandes is third with 18 victories, Kevin Switzer is fourth with 17 and Bruce Ranger rounds out the top five with 16.

Racing resumes Friday (June 3) at 4 p.m. and continues on Saturday (June 4) with the extended pari-mutuel meeting active each weekend through July 23.

First Tracks Cumberland is also pleased to present, in concert with the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association, a Stakes Preview for 3-year-old Maine-bred Pacers.  Featuring a ‘Colt Carnival’ for colts and geldings, on Sat., June 4 and a ‘Filly Festival’ on Sat., June 11, each division carries a $5,000 purse for Maine eligibles. The overnight prep races are co-sponsored by the MHHA and Blue Seal Feeds.

In addition, in preparation for stakes season, Cumberland will offer starting car schooling on the first two Fridays in June (3 & 10), as well as non-wagering baby races on the following two Fridays (June 17 & 24), with opportunities for the youngsters to ‘learn and earn’ their way into the upcoming Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes.

More information can be found on our website here and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

For complete race results, click here.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland