USA
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Europe
UK / IRE
CUMBERLAND, ME – Harness racing leading conditioner Benson Merrill is also establishing himself as a powerful force on the Amateur circuit, winning both of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) races on Monday (Dec. 13) at Cumberland.
The Saturday (Dec. 11) card was postponed due to weather conditions, pushing the program ahead a few days when the track was in great shape for the vast majority of the day, which saw the first five races pace in 1:58.2 or faster.
The first $4,000 MADC ‘Group B’ witnessed Mighty American N charging out for the lead under heavy urging from Karl Butterfield. Jason Bertolini ducked in the two-hole with Led Schneppelin with Benson Merrill and River Runs Deep sitting third into a 28.2 first quarter.
Zackary Gray was the first to move first-over with Drain Daddy into a 59.4 half, but his burst of energy quickly evaporated forcing Led Schneppelin (Bertolini) to pull, followed by River Runs Deep (Merrill) past the three quarters in 1:29.1.
By the head of the stretch Merrill had the 10-year-old son of Riverboat King poised to pounce, and down the stretch they cruised to a 3 ¼ length score in 2:00.2. River Runs Deep is owned by Apolonio Garcia, trained by Merrill and paid $10.20 to win. Led Schneppelin hung tough to be second; Mighty American N was third.
RIVER RUNS DEEP REPLAY
In the ‘Group C’ second $3,500 MADC event, Benson Merrill picked up a textbook two-hole trip with wagering favorite Bettor Attitude behind the pacesetting Librado Hanover (Ryan Hall) to take the finale. Sensing the leader tiring down the backstretch to the ¾ pole, Merrill pulled Bettor Attitude and took the lead heading into the final turn. Dakota Jackson challenged mightily with Milliondollardad down the home stretch but came up second best.
Racing continues Tuesday (Dec. 14) and Wednesday (Dec. 15), with post time for both dates remaining 11:00 a.m.
The First Tracks Cumberland Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continues with live harness racing several days each week through December 31, 2021, which is also the date of our special retirement ceremonies for 14-year-old Standardbred horses.
For more information, go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com.
For full race results, click here.
by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
