Kevin Switzer Jr. added to his season leading totals as the top reinsman at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday, Nov. 22, picking up five victories on the day.

In the afternoon's $7,746 featured event, 1/5 favourite Big Al M and Switzer pressed on from post eight to clear To My Credit (Mike Stevenson) through a :28.1 opening quarter. From there, Switzer stole nearly a 60-second middle half through fractions of :58.1 and 1:28, giving the pacesetter the advantage. Big Al M opened up on his rivals from there, stretching his lead out to more than two lengths with the timer tripped in 1:59.1. Inquiring Mind (David Ingraham) closed well for second with Brutalizer (Andy Harrington) completing the top trio.

A seven-year-old son of Anders Bluestone - Bringing Up Lindy, Big Al M ($2.60) is owned and trained by Zach Vickerson of Portland, Me. The trotting gelding picked up his 32nd career victory with lifetime earnings eclipsing $560,000.

Prior to his win with Big Al M, Switzer found the wire first courtesy Sunnys Rebel (2:01.3; $3.40) in the second, Pretty Gorgeous (2:00.4; $6.60) in the fifth and NIkasa N (1:58; $2.20) in the seventh. After Big Al M's tally, Switzer returned in the next race with Devious Valentine (2:02; $3) to complete the five-bagger.

Saturday's performance gives Switzer 89 victories over the course of the year at the Maine half-miler, adding to his comfortable margin over second-place McGwire Sowers (52). Switzer's career year continues, with personal bests already posted in both wins (349) and earnings ($4.17 million). Lifetime, the Maine native boasts 3,859 victories and $23.6 million in purses.

(Standardbred Canada; photo of Big Al M and Kevin Switzer in a previous win)