Leading reinsmen Bruce Ranger led Broadway Giant on a tour of the Cumberland Raceway oval on Sunday (Nov. 20), handily winning the featured $6,500 Open 2-3 Trot by three open lengths.
The track was listed as fast despite temps in the mid-30s when the eight-year-old son of Broadway Hall left alertly and immediately took command from post four. Setting comfortable opening fractions of :29.2 and 1:01.4, he set the stage for his command of the following circuit. Last week’s fast class winner Caulfield (Mike Stevenson) made a bid for contention first-over going to the half, but only managed to get within a length of the leader.
As the third panel of 1:30.4 came and went, so did Broadway Giant as the dark trotter opened up several length on his rivals to cruise to victory unabated in 2:01.4. Broadway Giant paid $3.20 to win as the wagering favourite. Namesmuscle (Mark Athearn) finished second and Caulfield was third.
Owned and trained by Ron Patoine, Beoadway Giant earned his 19th career victory and sixth on the season.
Second-choice trotting mare Osprey Delta (2-1, Mike Stevenson) picked up the pieces in the $6,000 Open 3-4 Trot, as the quick tempo-setting Mister Muscle (Walter Case Jr.) faded in the homestretch.
Case sent the 6-5 favourite Mister Muscle right out to the lead from post five with Osprey Delta right alongside to push him to a :29.2 opening panel before crossing over. Heading into a 1:00.2 half-mile marker, Aaron Hall moved Little Macabee to the outside in the second turn to challenge for the lead. These two clashed while careening down the backside into a swift 1:30 third panel, with Little Macabee looking Mister Muscle right in the eye around the final turn.
The speedy fractions had finally gotten the best of the leader, which allowed the challenger to take a momentary lead in the lane. But, unbeknownst to the front end battlers, Stevenson and Osprey Delta were flying down the center of the racetrack to steal the day’s thunder in 2:00.3. She paid $6.60 to win. Little Macabee finished second and Prescott (Andy Harrington) was a fast-closing third.
Trained and driven by Mike Stevenson, the seven-year-old mare by Tad The Stud is owned by Steel Ponies LLC (Robert Collins).
Bruce Ranger enjoyed three victories on the day’s program and continues to lead all drivers at Cumberland in 2022 with 50 wins. Walter Case Jr. is second with 45, with Matt Athearn and Kevin Switzer Jr. tied for third with 40 apiece.
Next week’s schedule excludes ‘Black Friday’ (Nov. 26) and restarts on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 27 & 28), with the Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel harness racing meet continuing through Dec. 24, 2022. The popular Au Revior Retirement Showcase for 14-year-old Standardbreds is slated for Dec. 17, with entries due by Nov. 30.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)