An accident in First Tracks Cumberland's second race on Saturday, July 20 prompted the cancellation of the remainder of the 12 races scheduled for the afternoon card.

Cumberland reported in a social media post that a serious accident occurred going to the quarter pole in race two. Drivers Garrett Mosher, Mike Stevenson and Walter Case Jr. were all transported to local hospitals for treatment. The extent of the injuries sustained by the drivers was not reported by Cumberland, but the track noted that all three drivers were alert and conscious with no life-threatening issues. Cumberland also reported that all of the horses walked off the track under their own power.

The afternoon's first race was a $22,152 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies, with Chasing Dudes leading the charge. Discounted at 10-1 in lieu of previous winners, the daughter of Dudes The Man led every call as driver Nick Graffam cruised through moderate fractions of :30.1, 1:02.4 and then a swifter 1:32.3 third panel. Around the final turn, Whisper Of Luck (Kevin Switzer Jr.) took aim at the leader and was first-up and applying ample pressure.  While the pacesetter was able to gain some separation at the head of the stretch, the pursuer tracked her down and got to within a quarter length at the wire. Chasing Dudes prevailed in 2:03.1 for her first career win in four attempts.  Trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam, she was bred and is also co-owned by leading conditioner Bob Marston.  The filly paid $22.60 to win. Last week’s victor, Leanne Marie (Mike Cushing) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes resumes on Thursday, July 25 when the three-year-old colt and gelding pacers return to Bangor for their annual ‘Fair’ stint.  This is immediately followed by the three-year-old filly pacers on Friday, July 26 at Cumberland, with all the two- and three-year-old trotters on Saturday, July 27.

Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing all drivers involved in the accident a full and speedy recovery.

(With files from First Tracks Cumberland and Maine Sire Stakes)