When First Tracks Cumberland race secretary Marc Reynolds opened Saturday’s (May 29) ‘virtual’ entry box on Wednesday morning (May 26), he could not believe his eyes.

Reynolds exclaimed, “We always thought that the Maine horsemen and women would support the Cumberland meet. But this Saturday was a very pleasant surprise with 115 horses in the box!”

When the cyber-dust settled, 11 races were carded, continuing with the new post time of 2:30 pm, and with the addition of the Maine Amateur Driving Club.

Club president Joe Burke stated, “People are excited and ready to start driving again. Historically, this has been a very competitive series. We had 15 drivers join the club this year, which includes four from the New England club that races at Plainridge.

“Once people see it in action, the interest will continue to grow. The management of Cumberland is on board, and we have a new trophy sponsor with Blue Seal Feeds ... so it’s all coming together,” Burke added.

Carded as race eight for a purse of $4,000, several of the Maine amateur reinsmen own and/or train their mounts, which should lead to an exciting contest. Second choice Hoboken Hanover has been knocking on the door and hopes to make this start a winning one. Owned, trained and now driven by 65-year-old Charles Eaton III in a pari-mutuel race, he won the first ever qualifier at the new First Tracks Cumberland meet on Saturday, May 1.

Hoboken Hanover is a 14-year-old son of Cams Card Shark and sports 69 lifetime wins and $423,000 in earnings.

Aimee Nichols, territory sales manager for Maine and the Canadian Maritimes, will present the trophy on behalf of the Kent Nutrition Group, makers of Blue Seal Feeds.

Nichols noted, “Perhaps I am somewhat biased, but I will be cheering for Led Schneppelin, the horse with the cool name and 34 lifetime wins.” Co-owned and driven by Mike McGee, he is trained by Blue Seal Feeds brand ambassador Aaron Hall.

“My colleagues at Blue Seal are excited to be a part of the new era of Harness Racing in Southern Maine here in Cumberland.” Nichols added. “I love the sport and enjoy watching the horses charge down the stretch ... many of which happen to be strengthened by Blue Seal Feeds!”

Also on the card is the $6,000 Winners Over Trot, headed by Caulfield who is looking for his fourth win in a row. The nine-year-old son of Kadabra leaves from the assigned post seven. The top pace of the day is race 10, a $4,200 conditioned event which appears to be a wide open and speedy affair, pitting several classy campaigners against some upstart, younger foes.

Racing from Cumberland is presented live each Tuesday and Saturday, through July 31, with a new post time of 2:30 p.m. For more information, visit firsttrackscumberland.com.

(First Tracks Cumberland)