Maine’s sophomore trotters rolled through their penultimate leg of Pine Tree State-bred action on Friday, Sept. 26 at the Cumberland Fair, with trotting filly Barbella keeping her win streak intact in one of two divisions contested.

In the $24,777 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies, divisional star Barbella cruised to an easy victory in 2:05.  Making every call a winning one, the daughter of Whataworkout had nary an anxious moment as catch driver Kevin Switzer Jr. posted a three-length score. Little Shot (Ivan Davies) finished second; Twisted Fate (Mike Cushing) was third.

Trained by Ken Andersen for owner Bob Zakian, Barbella sports a summary of 9-1-1 in 13 seasonal starts with more than $101,000 in earnings from those outings.  She was bred by the late Mike Andrew and paid $2.80 to win.

In the $23,940 division for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings heavy favourite Libertys Wildcard was placed in the pocket by leading reinsmen Kevin Switzer Jr., allowing freshman champ Whatawonder roll on to take command by Ken Watson.

As the son of Whataworkout took the field through opening panels of :31.1 and 1:03.2 the favourite held a loose pocket until the 1:32.2 third station where Switzer let his trotter loose and brushed past the pacesetter to score by 2-1/4 lengths in 2:04.3. Enchanted Prince (Andy Harrington) finished third.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, Libertys Wildcard has won his last four starts and 10 of 11 this year.  The son of Noble Venture was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr. and paid $2.40 as the 1-5 favourite.

Four $85,000-plus USD finals of the Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-olds head postward on the Saturday (Sept. 27) afternoon card at 12 noon at the Cumberland Fairgrounds.

In the first $85,591 USD division for freshmen trotting colts and geldings, the 9-5 favourite Wilder N Idy has seven wins on the season for trainer Gretchen Athearn.

In the $85,908 USD split for frosh trotting fillies, the 9-5 favourite Pembroke Lady brings her seven victories to the table for trainer Valerie Grondin.

For the $85,947 USD pacing filly final, trainer Marc Tardif sends the undefeated Snowonthepines into the full eight-horse field as the 8-5 favourite.

Finally, Real Horrorshow leads the full field in the $85,947 USD male pacers division, putting his unblemished eight-race win streak on the line for trainer Kevin Switzer Sr.

Exotic wagers start with Cumberland’s Pick 5 in the third race, and continues with a Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with a High-Five Pentafecta in the final race — all with low 16 per cent takeouts.

First Tracks will also host the popular Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win $500 in total cash prizes based on their picks and the official order of finish in the designated race.

Another full card is scheduled for the final racing date of Sunday, Sept. 28.

After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins Nov. 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November.  The month of December picks up Fridays for three-day weekends of racing through Dec. 21. The annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.

(with files from Cumberland; photo of Barbella from a previous win)