Fern Hill Flight took the feature during the Cumberland Fair finale on Sunday, Sept. 29, as the eight-day stretch of Maine harness racing at the iconic Downeast oval wrapped up.

In the $10,417 Zipper Pop-Up Series final, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. sent Nets Of Passion out for an early lead and had to work to take command into a :28.1 opening panel. That extra effort was compliments of fellow reinsmen Nick Graffam, who stretched out the pacesetter and eventually tracked along in the pocket with Dark As Night. Coincidentally, both pacers were trained by Ryan Berry and both were sent out at 7-2 by the public.

Just past the :58 half, Andy Harrington sent the 4-5 favourite, Fern Hill Flight, into the outer flow from third to the challenge the leaders. Switzer Jr. was working feverishly to keep his charge engaged as the betting choice had looked him in the eye through the 1:27 third stanza.

Down the stretch, Graffam tipped Dark As Night to the outside and the three pacers battle down to the wire, with Fern Hill Flight prevailing by a half-length in 1:57.1. Nets Of Passion finished second and Dark As Night was third.

Trained by Harrington for owner Mel Grant of  Stockton Springs, Maine, the seven-year-old son of Source Of Pride-Caru Hanover picked up his fifth win of the season from 12 starts and now has 21 career victories. He returned $3.60 to win.

Dave Ingraham and Kevin Switzer Jr. both enjoyed three wins on the 12-race afternoon program. Switzer Jr. led all drivers during the eight-day fair meet with 17 victories.

Racing returns to Cumberland for the track’s 18-day Winter Festival, which begins on 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 track's annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.

(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)