The father and son duo of trainer Mike Graffam and driver Nick Graffam combined forces to grab the lion’s share of Cumberland’s Kick-Off Late Closer series #3 final on Saturday (April 23) with Cyclone Pass winning the $12,000 feature.

When the wings folded for race nine, four horses were eager to take command.  With help from the draw Rose Run Slider (post one, Dan Deslandes) held sway through the turn, but ultimately yielded to Count To Three (post five, Drew Campbell), who bolted to the top in a :29 opening panel. 

As the field went by the stands for the first time, Eleanor Jean (Gary Mosher) flushed the cover of Baywood Shadow (Kevin Switzer Jr.), who was no longer content with the third pylon position.  With a half in :59.3, Graffam saw the skies opening and moved Cyclone Pass into the outer flow and followed along third-over.

While Graffam’s cover started to stall in sixth position, the reinsman tipped three-wide past a 1:28.2 third quarter and continued to pass tiring horses through the final turn.  Storming down the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.2, the 12-year-old son of Western Cyclone earned the 30th win of his career. Colorful Speech (Bruce Ranger) went from seventh to second in the last eighth of a mile to overtake Count To Three, who hung on for third.

Cyclone Pass paid $8 to win. The homebred is owned by Diane Frazier.  

In the seventh race $10,000 Kick-Off LC series #2 final, driver Walter Case Jr. left the field in his wake, steering favourite Oceanview Echo to a decisive 13-length victory. Trained and owned by Dana Whittemore, the five-year-old Rollwithitharry mare has been driven by Case to three straight wins. Oceanview Echo paid $4.40 to win in 1:57.4. Sandinista finished second and Meetmeatthedance was third.

Horsepeople should note the new draw schedule for Cumberland Raceway:

• Race Date: Friday, April 29 (Box closes 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 26);
• Race Date: Saturday, April 30 (Box closes 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 27).

(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)