Legendary New England horseman Donnie Richards had plenty to be thankful for this weekend, as his stable star Rys Red Rocket picked up her eighth win of the season on Saturday (Nov. 26) at Cumberland.
Driven to victory by Matty ‘Ice’ Athearn, the five-year-old mare by Sunshine Beach had all the boys talking as she turned a two-hole trip into pay dirt to win the $6,000 Open 3 Pace.
Scoring from post six, Athearn left swiftly with Rys Red Rocket to get position behind the leader, Woodys Cash Crop (Nick Graffam), who set opening fractions of :28.4 and :58.4.
Moving toward the half, the outer flow included Sports Team (Aaron Hall) providing cover for wagering favourite See You Friday (Walter Case Jr.), who found himself eight lengths behind the leader. Graffam pushed Woodys Cash Crop to a 1:27.4 third panel while trying to gain some separation from his challengers. At this point, it seemed that Rys Red Rocket was hopelessly boxed in on the rail, with horses swarming toward the front end.
As the field rounded the final turn, a leg weary Sports Teen drifted out and provided Rys Red Rocket with all of the racing room he needed to duck to the outside and pace past the leader, scoring handily by a half-length in 1:57.4. Woodys Cash Crop finished second and See You Friday was third.
Owned and trained by the 89-year-old Donnie Richards, Rys Red Rocket was bred by Linwood Higgins. A current track holder and Cumberland Fairgrounds resident, she paid $8 to win and picked up the 19th victory of her career.
The $6,500 featured Open 2 Pace was a jog through the park for Hespoisedtopounce A, who clocked the fastest win of the day in 1:55.2.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. hustled the six-year-old son of Bettors Delight out from post four and easily took command. From that point, it was all over but the shouting as no horse got anywhere close to challenging the 1-9 favourite. Rocksapatriot (Dave Ingraham) finished second and Star Speaker (Aaron Hall) was third.
Owned by Anthony Gruppo and Tim Bojarski, Hespoisedtopounce A is trained by Jimmy Nickerson. Picking up his eighth seasonal victory, the fast-class performer has bankrolled $85,740 this season.
Hespoisedtopounce A paid $2.20 to win.
Leading reinsman Bruce Ranger enjoyed a hat trick while Matt Athearn, Aaron Hall and Kevin Switzer Jr. each piloted a pair of winners.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)