The Polar Express makes its second stop at Cumberland this weekend (Dec.10-11), with seven of the second elimination legs totalling $36,000 in purses sprinkled throughout the three weekend cards at the Southern Maine oval.
Friday’s (Dec. 9) Polar Express Late Closing Series #1 drew two full fields for the final elimination leg of the event, with the $10,000 final slated for the following week. The first division (race one) has Timbo Slice (Andy Harrington) installed as the 5-2 morning line favourite, coming off an upset victory against this bunch last week. The three-year-old son of Sunshine Beach is owned and trained by Lester Dancer, who hails from the famed Dancer family of harness racing royalty. Second choice is Invictus Hanover (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.), who was second last week in the other division. JJ Maximus (7-2, Aaron Hall) gets some post position relief and will look to get involved early.
The race three, second $4,000 division of the series sees last week’s other winner Cee Pee Panic (5-2, Nick Graffam) look to make it two-in-a-row for trainer Benson Merill. Cash Crazy Express (3-1, Aaron Hall) has been very consistent as of late, but Dancin Hill (4-1, Bruce Ranger) has drawn inside and gets a driver change.
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 (5-2, Mike Stevenson) gets the nod in the first division off his win here last time out. The American Ideal 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 Baileys 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 Late-Closer # 3 highlight the 10-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, Dec. 17 and boasts 18 total participants with one ‘Geriatric Pace’ event scheduled with a full field of soon-to-be retirees.
The extended pari-mutuel harness racing meet runs through Dec. 24, with the first post at 11 a.m. each day.
(First Tracks Cumberland)