When Cumberland Fairgrounds-based trainer Chris Lefebvre first acquired Airspinder in late winter from Monticello, the five-year-old son of No Spin Zone would have been considered an average raceway horse. But, today, his conditioner along with his co-owner Michelle Lefebvre, would be less inclined to call him ‘just a horse.’
On Wednesday (Nov. 10) at Cumberland, Airspinder got a little rough gaited on the far turn going behind the starting gate. Scoring from post two in the $6,000 Winners Over conditioned pace, driver Drew Campbell kept the horse together and off the pace until the half where he tipped out second-over and began his ascent toward the front into a 1:27.1 three-quarter stanza.
With favourite Bo Master (post four, Dan Deslandes) setting the pace, the field turned for home and Campbell unleashed Airspinder, who brushed past the leaders for a powerful :29.1 last quarter, winning by one length in 1:57.1.
With 12 wins on the season -- four of which were over his home track -- Airspinder has been a pleasant surprise for the Lefebvre family.
“He has really exceeded our expectations. It’s a lot of fun to race a nice horse like him,” noted the horse’s trainer, Chris Lefebvre.
His last start was a month ago at the famous Fryeburg Fair, where Airspinder won in 1:56.3 over the historic half-mile oval.
“He’s been good to us all year, but had been getting a little tired after the long fair season so we gave him a little freshener.”
Lefebvre added, “We were so glad to see him respond as he did.”
Airspinder paid $10.20 to win for owners Michelle Lefebvre and Brian Aaskov. Daliocity (post one, Andrew Harrington) finished second and Go Sandy Go (post five, Aaron Hall) was third.
Drew Campbell finished the day with three victories on the card, and places him securely in second-place in the driver standings at Cumberland.
Local reinsman Aaron Hall achieved his first 100-win season on today’s card, winning the third race with Mr Blissfull in 1:58.3. Trained by his father Craig Hall, the nine-year-old son of Blissfull Hall is owned by Robert Ferreira and picked up his sixth victory of the year. Hall came back and won the ninth race with Stormin Spree to grab seasonal victory number 101, which was his second win on the card.
Hall, who has been driving extensively for the last five seasons, turns 28 years old on Friday, and now has 330 lifetime driving victories with $1.39 million in earnings. Hall is also a proud member of the Blue Seal Feeds harness racing drivers colony.
Andrew Harrington also picked up a driving double on the card, both of which were trained by Sara Gibbs.
The next card is slated for Saturday, Nov. 13 with the current Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continuing with live harness racing several days each week through December 31.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)