Maine Breeders Stakes at Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME –  The Glamour Boys are back in town this weekend when First Track Cumberland welcomes three $10,000e divisions of the fourth leg of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes (MSBS) for 3-year-old harness racing pacing colts and geldings on Saturday, July 10.

The 2-1 morning line favorite in the opener is Edelman, a black gelding by Western Maverick who is looking for his fourth seasonal victory, having snapped a win streak in his last outing by finishing second. With sire stakes wins at both Bangor and Cumberland, the Heidi-Gibbs-trained sophomore scores from post two with regular driver, breeder co-owner Ron Cushing.  The second leading point earner in the series, Edelman is also co-owned by Kevin Sywyk.

Edelman will surely get tested by Paxxton, another son of Western Maverick who is undoubtedly tired of finishing second. Driven by Heath Campbell, he is co-owned and trained by Valerie Grondin with Rhoda Underhill and is 5-2 from post five.

In the second division, race three, the 2-1 favorite from post one is A Sweet Bidda Luck.  Trained by Heidi Gibbs and owned by Philip Scott McKenzie, A Sweet Bidda Luck is also by Western Maverick and will by driven by Ron Cushing.

‘Lucky’ will have to contend with Whatawinwillie (5-2), a horse with an outside post (six) and more than an outside chance.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. and trained and owned by Marc Tardif, the son of Western Maverick already has two wins in the MSBS at Cumberland and is just half a point from second place in the standings.

These fellas will have to be on the lookout for Hollywood Skeeter (3-1) from post five, as he has upset on his mind.  Trained and owned by Mike Graffam and driven by Nick Graffam, the son of Cheyenne Hollywood will be looking to steal the show.

Saving the best for last, series point leader Call Me Maverick drew the rail and wasinstalled as the 2-1 favorite.  Another successful son of Western Maverick, he is trained by Gordon Corey and has won his last two MSBS at his home track. Owne

d and bred by Upland Farms, driver Mike Stevenson is at the controls.

American Maverick (5-2, post three), is yet another 3-year-old son of top Maine pacing stallion Western Maverick, and one that will be eager to put the rest of the field to the test.  Trained by MarkTardif and driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., American Maverick won his last MSBS outing from the same spot, and looks to repeat. He was bred by Leslie Leighton and is now owned by Leighton Property.

The so-called ‘glamour boys’ division is the fourth leg of the 13-race series, which travels around to the two commercial tracks, as well as the Mai

ne pari-mutuel fair circuit, culminating in the $80,000a final on October 16 at Bangor.

Week seven of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) series, sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds, heats up as there are just two more chances for drivers to earn points toward the $7,500 final on Saturday, July 24.

A full field of seven vying for the $3,800 purse i

n race eleven has a well-matched group of sidewinders, with some new horses driven by several familiar faces.  The 5-2 morning line favorite is Ageless Grace (post 3), who is trained and driven by Chris Lefebvre.  A relatively young 4-year-old mare by Well Said, she has but one start in the Pine Tree state after relocating from the Empire state.

Also making a debut in the MADC is Major Plans (3-1, post 4), an 8-year-old son of Art Major that will be driven by Todd Whitney. Major Plans has two wins in last three starts and could be a sharp contender.  David Crochere brings his own Rambling Jet (4-1, post 2) into the race, looking for his first MADC win of the season.  Reinsman Joe Burke puts his two-win streak to the test with Meetmeatthedance (4-1, post 6), who has not fared so well recently against lesser company.

Returning, once again, to Cumberland to make th

e presentations to the winning amateur connections is Melanie Locke, store manager for both the local Blue Seal feed stores and presenting the ‘swag bucket’ trophies of stable supplies on behalf of the Windham and North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feed stores.

The top trot of the day also sees a newcomer, along with some familiar faces, returning to Cumberland to pick up some of the $6,500 purse.  Northern Skyway (Drew Campbell, post 6) has been installed as the slight 5-2 favorite over fan favorite Cherry Crown Jewel(Matt Athearn, post 5) at 3-1.  The Big Bruizn (Andy Harrington) can leave like a runner and beat this bunch last start, but has earned the outside post seven. Try Try Again (Heath Campbell, post 2) will try, try again to win, win again, coming off a victory in his last start at Bangor.

The Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association (MHHA), in collaboration with Love To Race author Amber Sawyer, will give a signed copy of the children’s book to the first twenty kids under 12 that attend the live harness racing at Cumberland on Saturday, July 10.  In anticipation of a large crowd, First Tracks Cumberland CEO Mike Cianchette has matched the book sponsorship and will provide an additional twenty copies to young people attending the day’s events.

Live harness racing from Cumberland is presented each Tuesday and Saturday through July31, post time is 2:30 pm, with two additional dates added Wed. & Thurs., Aug. 4 & 5 with 11 am posts.  For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland