Cushing brothers battle it out at Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Mike and Sherry Cushing’s Leanne Marie (Artistic Fella) provided one of the most thrilling races of the day when she won the lone $16,071 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old harness racing pacing fillies on Saturday (July 13) at Cumberland Raceway.

When the wings of the gate folded last week’s victor and 1-9 favorite Glorilla (Ron Cushing) was sent scampering out for the lead like her tail was on fire.  Her authority was short lived as the filly went off stride in the apex of the first turn, which allowed Whisper Of Luck (Kevin Switzer Jr.) to assume command.

With an anxious Glorilla back on stride the duo ducked into third moving toward a 31.1 opening panel.  Their pylon play was short lived, however, as Ron Cushing pulled Glorilla right back out and was parked through the second turn.  At the 1:03 half Glorilla had taken point while his brother Mike Cushing driving Leanne Marie had followed that cover and was now first over.

The Cushing brothers fought tooth and nail through the 1:32.1 third panel with the 10-1 Leanne Marie poking a head in front.  Whisper Of Luck was second over around the final turn and also looking to reel in the favorite.

Down the stretch a pack of five fillies had all engaged in battle, with Leanne Marie prevailing by a neck over the fast-closing Whisper Of Luck in 2:03.1.  The filly is trained by Charlene (Sherry) Cushing who also co-owns with Pamela Smith and Jane Depompo.  The aforementioned trio are also the breeders, with the filly paying $22.40 to win her first career race and take a lifetime mark.

Sherry Cushing also trains the third place finisher Audry, who was driven by Steve Wilson.  Glorilla finished fourth.

LEANNE MARIE REPLAY

In other action the featured overnight $6,000 top pace was captured by Bet On Joe (Bettor’s Delight) in 1:55.4.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Bob Marston, the 9-year-old came from off the pace to win his fifth race of the season and second in a row at Cumberland.  Owned by Sharon Goding, he paid $7.40 to win.  Favorite Lifes A Puzzle (Richard Humphrey) finished second; Ranaldi (Garrett Mosher) was third.

BET ON JOE REPLAY

Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) series point leader Hunter Lofthus added more points to his seemingly insurmountable lead as he grabbed another $5,000 division of the ‘greatest sideshow in harness racing.’  The talented reinsman steered his own Forrest Blu to a wire-to-wire romp in 1:59.1, paying just $2.20 to win. The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Both Kevin Switzer Jr. and Drew Campbell picked up a pair of victories on the card.  Kevin Switzer leads all drivers at Cumberland this season with 56 victories.  Rounding out the top five are Walter Case Jr. (38), Drew Campbell (30), Bruce Ranger (28) and Dan Deslandes (25).  The leading trainer is Bob Marston with 23 wins, followed by Jeff Deslandes (22) and Marc Tardif (20).

Racing resumes Friday (July 19) as the First Tracks Cumberland meet continues racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend through August 3.

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For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland