Andy Harrington sent Brutalizer to the front in the $7,639 top conditioned trot on Saturday, Nov. 29 at First Tracks Cumberland and never looked back.
Making his fourth start for trainer Sara Harrington and owner Kyle Gibbs, the four-year-old son of Alarm Detector-Princess Serena spent most of the last few years racing in Delaware. Recently, he settled for place and show positions in his first three tries at Cumberland but burst out of his harness to take the day’s feature.
As the gate sprung open, To My Credit (Mike Stevenson) made an uncharacteristic miscue from the rim and took back to last, while Inquiring Mind (Steve Wilson) stretched out the 6-5 favourite Brutalizer to a sharp :29 opening panel. Brutalizer reached the front before the first station and took the field down to a 1:00.1 half with the pack following along in single-file formation.
Kevin Switzer Jr. pulled Little Macabee first-over from fourth, with To My Credit, having regained his composure, following the cover second-over. The pacesetter then put some distance between him and the challengers, hitting the three-quarters in 1:30.2 and gaining ground with every stride. Down the stretch, it was a race for second as Brutalizer had 5-1/4 lengths on the field and could not be caught. To My Credit swung wide to grab second over Storm Bringer (Aaron Hall).
Brutalizer returned $4.40 for the mile in 2:01.1, picking up his ninth lifetime victory in 64 starts and seventh of the season in 34 tries.
Nikasa N ($2.20) kept the ball rolling in her brief return to the Michelle Lefebvre barn, winning her seventh straight race in a claiming event with a purse of $6,111. After being claimed back by Mlefebvre Racing LLC last week following four races for Russell Lanpher, the nine-year-old scored by a half-length in 1:59 with Chris Long at the lines. The daughter of Bettors Delight-Nickys Ideal will go for eight in a row for Lanpher, who re-claimed her on Saturday.
Later on the card, 12-year-old mare Eternal Ring ($6) scored her 50th lifetime victory. Switzer drove her to the front-end, 2:01.4 victory by a neck for owner-trainer Dalton Lee. The daughter of Artzina-Turn For The Best reached the 50-win milestone in 289 lifetime starts.
In other news, octogenarian Bob Nadeau found the winner’s circle with his own Azariya. Scoring from pylon position, the 87-year-old teamster had the mare on top the whole way in a 2:00.1 victory. The five-year-old daughter of Lazarus-Lainey Deo is also owned by the iron-tough cement salesman, and she returned $26.20 to win.
Driver Switzer grabbed four wins on the 12-race card, and Chris Long, a recent addition to the driving colony, picking up a pair of victories on the post-Thanksgiving program.
Horsemen are reminded to check the new condition sheet and the Cumberland website for a host of exciting Winter Pop-Up Series for the month of December. Boasting up to $179,000 USD in purses, the races have increased prizes, as well as consolations and finals, for the six different events available.
Racing continues on Sunday at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card. The Pick 5 starts with the third race, the Pick 4 highlights the 10th, and the High-Five Pentafecta is in the finale; all have low 16 per cent takeouts.
Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing next week (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) beginning Dec. 5. The Au Revoir Retirement ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 20. Entries close Wednesday, Dec. 3. The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025. Post time remains 10:55 a.m.
(Cumberland & Standardbred Canada)