Polar Express elims to Timbo Slice, Cash Crazy Express

CUMBERLAND, ME – Lester Dancer’s Timbo Slice (Sunshine Beach) made it two-in-a-row on Friday (Dec. 9) at First Tracks Cumberland, now taking both his $4,000 harness racing elimination legs of the Polar Express Late Closing Series #1.

Driven by Andy Harrington, the 3-year-old wasted little time moving to the lead from post five.  Parked to the opening panel in 30 seconds flat while navigating around a rough gaited JJ Maximus (Aaron Hall) who got away second, he passed Bayonet (Mike Stevenson) swiftly who yielded command without incident.

An anxious moment for Timbo Slice and Harrington never followed as they cruised to the half in 1:01.2 and past a 1:31.1 third panel with no threatening outer flow in sight.  Under mild encouragement Timbo Slice tripped the timer in 2:02, ahead by 1-3/4 lengths.

Owned and trained by Lester Dancer, it was the third seasonal victory for the sophomore pacer who paid $13.20 to win.  Bayonet finished second; public choice JJ Maximus was third.

TIMBO SLICE REPLAY

In the race three, second $4,000 division of the series Cash Crazy Express (Art Major) and driver Aaron Hall got the shuffle back to fourth and rebounded in the lane to score by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:01.2.

Trained by Mark Harris for owner Gayle Harris, the 6-year-old mare grabbed her sixth win of the year and has not missed the board in her last nine outings.   She paid $7.00 to win.

Led Schneppelin (Jason Bertolini) cut the mile and finished in a dead heat for second with Dancin Hill (Bruce Ranger).

CASH CRAZY EXPRESS

The top eight money-winning horses from the two eliminations that enter will move on to the $10,000 final on Friday (Dec. 16).  Timbo Slice was the only horse to win both of his elimination legs, with Cash Crazy Express and Cee Pee Panic both winning one.

Dave Ingraham and Aaron Hall each won three races on the day’s card.  Trainer Mike Bilodeau enjoyed two victories.

The Saturday (Dec. 10) program has ten races, which includes several open pace events as well two $5,000 elimination legs of the Polar Express Late Closing Series # 2.  The final goes for $12,000 on Saturday (Dec. 17).

Rojas Blue Chip (American Ideal, 5-2, Mike Stevenson) gets the nod in the first division off his win here last time out.  The mare is also trained by Stevenson and stables at the Fairgrounds.  Bet On Success (3-1, Bruce Ranger) is worth a look as he was a fast-closing third last week, beaten only a neck in the other division.  Stormin Maverick (7-2, Walter Case Jr.) drew outside but was also sharp in his last outing in the slop.

In the second division Amarettigone (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Bailey’s Legacy (4-1, Steve Wilson) both get driver changes as Nick Graffam picked off ‘Legacy’ to take Road Untraveled (3-1) from post six.

Saturday’s featured $5,800 Open 4 Pace pits the troika of Lucan Hanover (5-2, Aaron Hall), Nagle (3-1, Bruce Ranger) and Oceanview Echo (4-1, Walter Case Jr.) against four inside horses who are moving up in class.

Looking ahead to Sunday (Dec. 11), three $6,000 divisions of the Polar Express L/C # 3 highlight the ten-race card, with an additional $5,500 Open 4 Trot later in the card.

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

The popular Au Revior Retirement Showcase for 14-year-old Standardbreds is slated for Saturday, December 17 and boasts 18 total participants with one ‘Geriatric Pace’ event scheduled with a full field of soon-to-be retirees.

Our extended pari-mutuel harness racing meet runs through December 24, 2022, with the first post at 11 am each day.

For more information go to our website.

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For complete race results, click here.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland