Humor Me all smiles in Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Upper-echelon harness racing pacing mare Humor Me (Bettor’s Delight) laughed all the way to the bank on a brisk Friday (Nov. 18) afternoon, taking the $4,600 featured Fillies and Mares conditioned pace at First Tracks Cumberland.

Driven by Aaron Hall the 4-5 post time wagering favorite blasted out for the lead from post three, only to yield to Rojas Blue Chip (Mike Stevenson) and then retake setting a 28.3 opening panel.  As the field went past the 59.4 half mile marker the combatants were in perfect alignment, forcing the hand of Walter Case Jr. and Millwood Faith N to move first over from last.

With the outer flow failing to advance Kevin Switzer Jr. swung Virtual Success three-wide around the final turn and made a valiant charge toward the leaders.  Humor Me hung tough to the wire and prevailed by a length over Millwood Faith N in 2:00.  Virtual Express got up for third.

Humor Me paid $3.60 to win her tenth race of the year.  The 7-year-old mare is owned by Peter Haskell and was in for a $4,800 claiming tag (with allowance) under the tutelage of conditioner Kimberly Vafiades.

HUMOR ME REPLAY

Aspiring reinsman Dakota ‘Action’ Jackson took on the big boys and prevailed with his own Valiant Ivy (Jereme’s Jet) in a $4,000 conditioned pace.  Scoring from post six the 24-year-old Jackson got shuffled back to last in the early going, but swooped the field going down the home stretch to win 2:02.1.

Valiant Ivy paid $10.80 to win.  The 7-year-old is owned, trained and driven by Jackson, which was the first local victory in four seasonal starts for the Michigan native.

VALIANT IVY REPLAY

Looking ahead, Saturday’s (Nov. 19) card marks the return of many of the top pacers in the state, sans last week’s track record-setting Adriano Hanover, who equaled the all-age pacing benchmark of 1:53.4.  The $6,500 Open 2 Pace will have to make do with just three current or former track record holders in Captain Nash (7-2, Andy Harrington), Ry’s Red Rocket (3-1, Matty “Ice” Athearn) and Rocksapatriot (4-1, Dave Ingraham).

The Sunday (Nov. 13) program has eleven races, four of which are trotting events.  The featured $6,500 Open 2 Trot includes a stellar field of veteran performers, including Broadway Giant (5-2, Bruce Ranger) and Caulfield (3-1, Mike Stevenson) who was last week’s winner

Every race, all weekend long, has a 50-cent Trifecta, and the final race each day also features a 20-cent Pentafecta.

For the second season in a row First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revior Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, December 17.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing or retired and have Maine connections.  Horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter, be featured in a half-page bio with photograph in the program, as well as receive a Barbara Dresser-designed memento.  Equine honorees must be present to participate.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an Email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association are collecting nonperishable food items in the race paddock during the next two weekends of racing.  This week benefits the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program and the following week (Dec. 2-4) helps the Maine Children’s Home in Waterville.

Next week’s schedule excludes ‘Black Friday’ (Nov. 26) and restarts on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 27 & 28), which continues through December 24, 2022.

For more information go to our website.

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

For complete race results, click here.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland