The Pine Tree State-bred two-year-old trotters are in town at Cumberland Raceway on Friday, July 17 and will be making their first purse starts in the Maine Sire Stakes. 

Many had taken advantage of the baby races held at Cumberland over the last month, with several who have recorded qualifying marks in them in to go on Friday.

The $14,000 USD division for fillies is an early non-wagering race, with three distaffs set to go behind the gate at noon. Dave Ingraham drives the Cantab Fashion-Rendezvous Kemp filly Cape Cod Friday from the rail for trainer Kelly Case. She will face two Gary Hall trainees in the To The Hilt-Knella Bella miss Mikella Bella (PP2, Heath Campbell) and Princess Caledonia, a daughter of To The Hilt-Wild Pine Princess to be steered by Hall from post three. The latter took a qualifying mark of 2:06.4 on July 1.

The $15,210 USD division for colts and geldings features a field of six and is slated as race nine on the betting card. Several of the youngsters are related to former Maine stars, including 3-1 co-morning-line favourite Pembroke Zagursky (Heath Campbell), a Valerie Grondin-trained full brother to Pembroke Breeze p,4,1:58h ($267,885). The son of Pembroke Slugger-Pembroke Mistress has post two. His stablemate, the Pembroke Slugger-Pembroke Mystery colt Pembroke Savannah (PP4, Dave Ingraham, 5-1) is a full brother to Pembroke Lady p,3,2:04.2h ($154,823). The 3-1 co-top choice on the morning line is U Know I Know (PP1), with Ken Watson to drive the son of Whataworkout-Without Lindy for trainer Lisa Watson after a 2:10.3 winning qualifier.

Leading conditioner Michelle Lefebvre sends Party At Seven into the $6,400 USD featured conditioned race on Friday’s 13-dash card looking for his second consecutive victory. On July 10, Party At Seven won his first start over the iconic Southern Maine oval, scoring in 1:58.4. The six-year-old son of Chapter Seven-Tickettotheparty had been racing at Monticello Raceway for owner Ralph Silvestri. Now in the Michelle Lefebvre barn for his second start, and leaving from pylon position, the winner of $147,046 lifetime with 11 victories from 96 races has been installed as the 9-5 morning-line favourite.

Also looking for another trip to the winner's circle is Tcs Brenda, who won her last start in wire-to-wire fashion from post eight. Listed at 2-1 from post three and getting the return services of driver Dave Ingraham, the five-year-old daughter of Triumphant Caviar-Guienne Hanover has been racing for the Eric Bickmore stable since mid-June.

Local favourites Brutalizer (PP4, Andy Harrington, 7-2) and Jax Spratt (PP5, Aaron Hall, 5-1) should never be discounted and round out the top contenders.

Cumberland is now partnering with Harness Elite, a new team of professional horseplayers, data analysts and influential members of the harness racing community that provide bettors with advanced tools and handicapping, as well as promote the sport through their platform. 

Racing continues at Cumberland on Saturday in keeping with the track’s Friday-Saturday schedule. Next week, First Tracks Cumberland will offer a three-day run from Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet. On Saturday, July 25, bettors will be able watch and wager on the entire card from The Meadows, featuring the 60th renewal of the Delvin Miller Adios Stakes. First post on that card from Washington, Pa. will be 11:30 a.m.

First post at Cumberland is 12:15 p.m. during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 2. 

(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)