Vickerson 3-for-3, Switzer Jr. hits five in successful day

CUMBERLAND, ME – Conditioner Zach Vickerson had three horses racing on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland, and won with all three.

In the 3rd race $5,000 featured pace, top harness racing teamster Kevin Switzer Jr. sent heavy 1-9 favorite Rock Candy (Pet Rock) out to an early lead, but so did McGwire Sowers with the 6-1 Vel Mr Nice Guy.  Switzer Jr. re-took just past the :28.4opening panel, and never looked back.

Guiding the field through a softer 1:00 mid-way point ,the first to move from the rim was Spicey P (18-1, Steve Wilson) who advance dall the way to second while first over at the 1:28.3 third station.

Under a hand drive, Rock Candy exploded at the head of the stretch to gain the advantage over a fast-closing Vel Mr Nice Guy.  The pacesetter prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths in1:58.  Also owned by his trainer Zach Vickerson, the 9-year-old son of Pet Rock returned $2.20.

ROCK CANDY REPLAY

 Time For George (Dave Ingraham) finished third.

Vickerson and Switzer Jr. also teamed up for thes wiftest race of the day when Rau Rau held off a late charge by Instant Replay(2-1, Shawn Thayer) to complete the wire-to-wire circuit in 1:57.  Vickerson owns the 7-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight, who paid $3.00 in the 6th race, winning the $4,800conditioned pace by a head.

The Vickerson and Switzer Jr. duo came back in the 11thrace, $4,600 pace to fashion a third gate-to-wire rout, scoring with Sheriff Nin 2:01.  Once again, owned by Vickerson,the 11-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight was the heavy 1-9 favorite and returned $2.20 for his measured-length triumph.

In other news, James Doucette captured the $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club event with his own Ahoy Hanover.  Trained by Autym Sowers, the 4-year-old son Captaintreacherous was parked the last half and wore down the 4/5 favorite Never Say Never N (Todd Whitney) who cut the fractions.  Tripping the timer in 1:58.3, it was the second victory of the season for the 25-year-old Doucette, who returned $4.60.

Leading reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. added to his monstrous lead in the drivers standings, steering a total of five winners on the 13-raceprogram.  Switzer Jr. now has 104 wins this year at Cumberland, double that of his nearest competitor McGwire Sowers who has 52.  Aaron Hall and Steve Wilson each grabbed a pair while Dave Ingraham got to within one win of his 8,000 victory threshold.

Horsemen are reminded to check the new condition sheet and our website for a host of exciting Winter Pop-Up Series for the month of December.  Boasting up to $179,000 in purses, the races have increased prizes, as well as consolations and finals,for the six different events available.

Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card.
The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low16% takeouts.

Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing next week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5.  The Au Revoir Retirement ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 20.  Entries close Wednesday (Dec. 3).

The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025.  Post time remains 10:55 am.

For more information go to our website: firsttrackscumberland.com/
Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland