Cumberland’s top pacers engaged in another showdown Saturday (Nov. 19) with a new face emerging victorious in the featured $6,500 Open 2 Pace.  Star Speaker won his last two starts, most recently the Open 3 Pace a week ago, and came back to capture the next level upper class against some of the best pacers on the grounds.

Four of the five starters in the predominant pace charged out for the lead when the wings folded.  Rocksapatriot (4-1, Dave Ingraham) tussled for the lead with Star Speaker (9-5, Drew Campbell) while moving toward the :27.4 opening panel, with the latter reeling in his charge and ducking in the two-hole.  As the field moved past the half in :57.2, Rys Red Rocket (9-5, Matt Athearn) was first over with Captain Nash (7-1, Andy Harrington) drafting off the mare’s cover.

Going past the paddock turn and through the 1:26.1 third panel, Rys Red Rocket maintained constant pressure on the leader Rocksapatriot, with Star Speaker boxed-in on the pylons third.  Rounding the final turn Rys Red Rocket lost some ground, giving Star Speaker enough clearance to pull the right line and roll up alongside Rocksapatriot as the two battled down the home stretch.

Star Speaker got up in the final strides to win by a half-length over Rocksapatriot in 1:57.1.  Sports Teen and Captain finished in a dead heat for third.  The five-year-old son of Artspeak is trained and co-owned by Kimberly Vafiades with Greg Kirby.  He paid $5.60 to win.

The fastest mile of the day was captured by Oceanview Echo in 1:56.4, which was the mare’s second win in a row, and third in her last four starts.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for owner/trainer Dana Whittemore, the five-year-old daughter of Rollwithitharry paid $14.20 to win the $6,000 Open 3 Pace.  See You Friday (Walter Case Jr.) finished second; Woodys Cash Crop, the favourite (Nick Graffam) was third.

Walter Case Jr. enjoyed a driving triple, while Andy Harrington, Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. all won two races on the late-morning/early-afternoon card.

The Sunday (Nov. 13) program has 11 races, four of which are trotting events.  The featured $6,500 Open 2 Trot includes a stellar field of veteran performers, including Broadway Giant (5-2, Bruce Ranger) and Caulfield (3-1, Mike Stevenson) who was last week’s winner

Every race, all weekend long, has a 50-cent Trifecta, and the final race each day also features a 20-cent Pentafecta.

First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association continue to collect nonperishable food items in the race paddock.  This week benefits the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program and the following week (Dec. 2-4) helps the Maine Children’s Home in Waterville.

Next week’s schedule excludes ‘Black Friday’ (Nov. 26) and restarts on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 27 & 28), which continues through December 24, 2022.

(First Tracks Cumberland)