Three-day weekend of racing at Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland is poised to present a three-day, thirty-four-race long weekend of harness racing, complete with full fields and competitive matchups to entice the most discerning punter.

The action starts with Friday’s (Nov. 11) card, an ‘all pace’ day with half of the day’s events dedicated to the fairer set, otherwise known as fillies and mares.  In the fourth race (Superfecta) $4,400 FM conditioned event Rojas Blue Chip (PP3, Mike Stevenson) has been installed as the morning line favorite at 5-2 and has enjoyed a successful season with 5 wins and 6 second in 25 starts.  Grace Of Art (PP 5, Walter Case Jr) has also been a consistent earner this year, with four wins and four seconds, many of which were in the last month.

Saturday’s (Nov. 12) eighth race $6,500 Open 2 Pace recycles last week’s match up of track record holders.  By virtue of her previous triumph Ry’s Red Rocket (Matt Athearn) has been assigned the outside post 5.  The 5-year-old mare looks for her 8^th win of the season.  Captain Nash (PP 2, Drew Campbell) and Rocksapatriot (PP 3, Dave Ingraham) have a slight inside advantage and have been listed as 7-2 and 4-1, respectively.  Adriano Hanover (PP4, Kevis Switzer Jr.), who was a nose behind the winner in his last outing, adds depth to the fray.

In addition, there are three divisions of the $5,500 Open 4 Pace, and a lone $6,000 Open 3 Pace.  All of which should provide fans and bettors with fast miles and plenty of wagering action.  Every race has a 50-cent Trifecta, and the final (11^th) race also features a 20-cent Pentafecta.

The Sunday (Nov. 13) program has twelve races, five of which are for the diagonal set, otherwise known as trotters.  The $6,500 Open 2-3 Trot features last week’s victor Favorite Uncle (Cain MacKenzie) who scores from post position four.  Outside him is the trending Broadway Giant (PP 5, Bruce Ranger) who won three-in-a-row before moving up to this class.  This race also marks the return of local fan favorite Cherry Crown Jewel (PP 3, Mark Athearn), who set a track record at Cumberland last year and is coming off a win at Bangor.

First Tracks Cumberland is proud to present the Polar Express Late Closing Series for the Winter meet.  Beginning Dec. 2-4, the three individual TrackMaster rating and conditioned events boast over $85,000 of additional earning opportunities for New England horse people, for which there is no entry fee.  For further details, visit the horsemen page on our website, or click here.

Racing continues at First Tracks Cumberland for our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting featuring a weekly trifecta of cards on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Nov.18, 19 & 20) which continues through December 24, 2022.

Horsemen should take note of the new draw schedule for the next several weeks:

Race: Friday, Nov 18 (Draw Monday, Nov 14)

Race: Sat & Sun, Nov. 19 & 20 (Double Draw Tues. Nov. 15)

No racing on Friday, Nov 25

Race: Sat & Sun, Nov. 26 & 27 (Double Draw Tues. Nov. 22)

For more information go to our website.

Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland