All four $22,000-plus divisions of Maine-sired trotters invaded Cumberland Raceway on Saturday, July 27 with several divisions captured by the usual suspects, yet others seeing some fresh faces emerge as winner.

In the pari-mutuel $22,747 Maine Sire Stakes opener, Whatawonder had fans cheering, ‘What a horse!’

With no equine able to reach his bridle, as of yet, the son of Whataworkout romped and stomped to victory for the fourth consecutive time. Driven by Kenneth Watson for trainer Lisa Watson and owner Barbara Lawson, the heretofore undefeated gelding has never seen the back of a helmet. 

Scoring in 2:07 in another wire-to-wire training mile, Libertys Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) got to within a half of a length at the wire, which has been the closest that any other foe has ever gotten to him. Whatawonder paid $3 to win. Stablemate Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) finished third.

Next up were the freshman fillies going for $22,696, with the even-money favourite Katahdin Mistress (Wally Watson) slow to get engaged. The first leave was Blizzards Fury and Kevin Switzer Jr., who sent the daughter of Whataworkout right to the top in a :31.1 opening panel. Ranging up on the outside following her earlier hesitation was Katahdin Mistress to challenge for the lead. From that point, the pair raced ‘European style’ being stuck first-over into a 1:03.1 half.  

While the field bunched up going into the 1:34.2 third panel, Katahdin Mistress got shut out of the two-hole and continued to take in that fresh Maine air. Employing a second-over move was Heath Campbell driving Pandemic Princess, who swooped the other combatants and had just Blizzards Fury to catch. Andy Harrington hustled Barbella three-wide in similar fashion to lap the tiring aggressors.

At the wire, Blizzards Fury held off the late charges to prevail in 2:06 by half a length. Trained by Marc Tardif for owner/breeder Leighton Property, the filly earned her first lifetime victory in her second Sire Stakes start. She paid $15 to win. Pandemic Princess finished second and Barbella was third.

Before the regular card, there were two divisions for Maine-sired sophomore trotters, with Chipper Dale repeating in his $22,199 three-year-old colt and gelding trot in 2:04.4. Driven by Drew Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, Chipper Dale has emerged as the leader of the pack and has added considerable padding to his top point total. The son of Boy Band now has three Maine Sire Stakes victories on the season for owner/breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe. It was a Grondin double as Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) finished second and Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.

The fairer set completed the quartet of Maine Sire Stakes, with Pembroke Breeze and driver Heath Campbell taking the $22,199 sophomore filly trot in 2:03.2. Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner/breeder William Varney, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger has won her last four stakes outings and is the clear leader of her division. Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) finished second and My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) was third.

In other news, the undisputed and still heavyweight points champion of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC), Hunter Lofthus scored another knockout blow to his competition. Despite being assigned the eight-hole, the 35-year-old reinsman picked up his seventh win of the season and scored again with his trusty steed Forrest Blu. Winning by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:59, Forrest Blu paid $4 to win. The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet concludes next week on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 2 & 3. The final day of the meet will feature the $25,000 USD Pine Tree Invitational Pace, as well as full card simulcasting of Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands and Whitney Stakes Day at Saratoga. Gates open at 11 a.m., with the first pari-mutuel harness race set for 3:15 p.m.

(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)