Maplewood Slugger and John Nason hit a home run by winning the $6,849 featured trot at Cumberland Raceway on Friday, June 27.

Scoring from post three in the opener, the duo swung at the first pitch and took the early lead into a :28.4 opening panel.  From that point the veteran trainer-driver eased the tempo into softer fractions, hitting the half in :59.2.  With challengers at his flank the pair reached the third station in 1:30.

As High Gear No Fear (McGwire Sowers) was breathing down his neck the six-year-old son of Pembroke Slugger stepped up to the plate and swung for the fences in 2:00.2, winning by 2-1/4 lengths.

Trained and driven by John Nason for owner-breeder Maxine Hadlock, he paid $8.60 to win his first race of the season and 17th of his career.

High Gear No Fear finished second; favourite Matt So Sure was third. 

Racing continues on Saturday (June 21) with 11 races, including four late closing series finals, as well as two divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers.  The total purses for the card exceed $104,000 USD, with a 3:15 p.m. (EDT) first post time.

In the glamour boys division for Pine Tree State-bred male pacers, the first $12,162 USD division will likely be a dash to beat the even money favourite Massive Speed (Walter Case Jr.).  Although it is early in the season, the three-year-old son of Dudes The Man appears to be the real thing for the powerful 'Tardif Taskforce.'  Dudes Wanted Man (5-2, Heath Campbell) will probably be the horse to give the favourite a run for his money, as he is coming into form for trainer Valerie Grondin.

In the second $12,387 division of the Maine Sire Stakes Ridgecrest Dan (8/5, John Nason) is also looking to extend his winning streak from post four.  Dawn To Dark (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) looks to be the ‘dark horse’ of the race and could pop a big mile at any moment, having paced in 1:58 last week right next to his stablemate Massive Speed. 

(with files from First Tracks Cumberland)