Millionaire pacer Dealt A Winner found the winner's circle for the 50th time on Sunday, Nov. 23, showing the top competitors at Cumberland Raceway that he still has what it takes.
The 13-year-old Cams Card Shark-Lazan Hanover gelding has been behind the starting gate on more than 240 occasions, winning Grand Circuit stakes races, including a Triple Crown event, during his accomplished career. He boasts a lifetime mark of 1:47.3 courtesy of his wins in the 2015 Cane Pace at The Meadowlands and 2017 Allerage Farms Open Pace at The Red Mile.
Now owned and trained by Scott Vickerson of Portland, Maine, the veteran pacer Dealt A Winner reached the milestone win mark in a $6,761 conditioned optional claiming pace featured at Cumberland on Sunday afternoon.
While 8-5 favourite Fern Hill Flight (Nick Graffam) took the field through an opening panel of :29, Shawn Thayer wrestled Dealt A Winner into a tight pocket. Dealt A Winner followed through a half in 1:00.1 and three-quarters in 1:29.2 before Thayer pulled him from the pocket around the final turn to engage the pacesetter. In deep stretch, the career winner of $1.5 million found an extra gear and stormed home for the victory in 1:59.3, defeating Fern Hill Flight by 1-1/2 lengths. Airspinder (Dave Ingraham) followed in third.
Dealt A Winner returned $11 to win as the 9-2 fourth wagering choice. The victory was his fourth this year in 23 starts.
Following a five-win performance on Saturday, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. sent six more horses to the winner's circle during Sunday's 12-race card, including winning the first four races, to increase his insurmountable 50-plus dash win lead in the Cumberland driver standings. Three of his Sunday winners were from the Zach Vickerson stable: Rock Candy ($2.20), Sheriff N ($2.40) and Rau Ru ($3).
Todd Whitney won a Maine Amateur Driving Club race with Celtic Tiger ($4) in a 10-1/4-length romp in 1:58.1 for trainer Ryan Berry.
Racing resumes on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Cumberland.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)