Drew Campbell continued his winning ways on the Sunday (Nov. 28) card at Cumberland, sweeping the feature races and going on to take the lead in the driver standings.
Having climbed to the 5,500 win plateau on Saturday, Campbell wasted no time getting back to the Blue Seal winners circle at the iconic Southern Maine oval the following day. Campbell grabbed the opener, a $4,500 co-feature conditioned trot, with Little Macabee in 2:02.1 on a track rated ‘good.’
Leaving from post three, Campbell raced first-over through the middle half and drew off to win by seven for trainer Eric Bickmore and owner Maryann Tompkins. Little Macabee paid $3 to win. Macks Gold Band (Bruce Ranger) finished second and Namesmuscle (Mark Athearn) was third.
Campbell came right back to sweep the daily double, winning a $4,500 co-feature conditioned pace with Royalty Again.
Getting away at the back of the pack from post two, Campbell was patient and waited until a pedestrian 1:00.1 half-mile stanza to get out and rolling from sixth-place. From that point, the pair continued to make forward progress, three-wide down the backside and boldly going four-deep in the final turn. Campbell and Royalty Again found some separation mid-stretch and hit the wire first in 2:01.4 for trainer Randy Bickmore and owner Richard Knight.
Royalty Again paid $9 to win. Humor Me (Nick Graffam) finished second and Moonshinecharleigh (Walter Case Jr.) was third.
Campbell also won the fourth race with three-year-old trotter Americas Proud in 2:04.2 for trainer Kimberly Vafiades and owner Jason Vafiades. Completing the grand slam, Campbell wired the field in the fifth with Mach Me Onemore in 2:02 for trainer/owner Christine Holt.
The next three races were captured by driver Kevin Switzer Jr.
Campbell now leads perennial driving champion Bruce Ranger by two dashes, 57-55.
Racing resumes on Tuesday (Nov. 30) and continues on Wednesday (Dec. 1), with post time set for 11 a.m.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)