When Maine’s Winter Festival kicked off at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday, Nov. 2, reinsman Drew Campbell won half the races on the first of 19 Pine Tree State harness racing dates.

Winston ‘Drew’ Campbell, along with his younger brother, Heath Campbell, hail from Nova Scotia, but have made Maine their home for the last several decades. Both have more than 5,000 wins and are always among the most sought after drivers on the competitive Maine circuit.

Closing in on another milestone, Drew Campbell added a handful of wins to bring his career dash total to 5,966.

The elder Campbell wasted little time getting to the Cumberland Raceway winner's circle as he reined the winner of the first race on Saturday, Dancethebigdance N, to a 1:58.3 score in the opener. Trained by Alex Richardson for owner Mary Fernald, the six-year-old daughter of A Rocknroll Dance picked up her sixth win of the season, paying $2.60.

Campbell continued his ‘rein’ of terror with a natural hat trick in races three, four and five, scoring with Betfromthebeach (2:00.2, $2.80), Broadway Giant (2:02.1, $6.20) and the $6,944 co-featured trot with Love Kitten (pictured above).

A five-year-old Jailhouse Jesse mare, Love Kitten trotted to a 2:01.3 upset score for owner Jason Vafiades and trainer Kimberly Vafiades. Taking her ninth victory of the season, she paid $12.80 to win. Scottish Blue (Nick Graffam) finished second and Show Me The Magic (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

Campbell completed his quintet of conquests with Threetimessix (2:00.3, $7.40) for owner-trainer-breeder James Smallwood.  In taking the $6,944 co-featured pace, the five-year-old daughter of Eighteen grabbed her seventh win of the year.  Favourite Whatchagonnadoboo (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second and Delightful Virgin (Dave Ingraham) was third.

McGwire Sowers drove a pair of winners and both were trained by Autym Robinson.

Everybody’s favourite octogenarian, Bob Nadeau, grabbed his third Cumberland win of the season, piloting his own Azariya to a 2-3/4-length score in 2:02.1. The four-year-old daughter of Lazurus N paid $12 to win.

First Tracks Cumberland's Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continues through Dec. 22. Cumberland Raceway will have weekend action throughout the month of November and then will transition to three days of harness racing each week on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, beginning one Dec. 6. 

For the fourth season in a row, First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, Dec. 21.  The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing, or have recently retired, and have Maine connections.  Horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter and be featured in a half-page bio with photograph in the program. Equine honourees must be present to participate and need to ‘declare’ by Dec. 4.  To enter your horse, or for more information, send an email of interest to Chris Tully at [email protected].

(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)