Three $10,274 divisions of the Prancer Pop-up Series went postward at Cumberland on Saturday, Dec. 13 with Jax Spratt grabbing his second leg in as many weeks.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite, Jax Spratt proceeded to scat away from the starting car, putting the rest of the field in behind him from post four. As the five-year-old son of Devious Man led the field into a :30 opening panel, Kevin Switzer Jr. was tracking along in the pocket with Sunnys Rebel.
Dropping the tempo substantially, the half was in a pedestrian 1:02.4, which was enough of a breather to ensure that no one could get to the public choice. After an early miscue Gemstone Pillar (Mike Stevenson) flushed the cover of Little Macabee (McGwire Sowers) as the field entered the backstretch the second time.
With a third panel in 1:33.3, and Little Macabee breathing down his neck, driver Aaron Hall exited the last turn and asked his charge for more trot. Jax Spratt responded with a :29.4 closing kick to put away any would-be upsetters by 1-1/2 lengths in a well-rated 2:03.2. Sunnys Rebel finished second by a whisker; Little Macabee was a late charging third.
Also trained by Aaron Hall for owner Bill Phipps, Jax Spratt scored his 10th win of the season and 29th overall. His seasonal earnings have increased to $54,757, and he returned $2.60.
It was an ownership double in the second Prancer division as the three-year-old Devious Lad came from off the pace to win against older horses in 2:03.3.
Smartly driven by Nick Graffam for trainer Mike Cushing and owners Bill Phipps and Janice Conner, Devious Lad notched his fifth lifetime victory. The son of Devious Man paid a whopping $50.60. Motto (Sowers) finished second; Fomor (Andy Harrington) was third.
The third $7,500 Prancer leg was captured by J S Peyton (Nick Graffam) in 2:03.1, returning $5.
Four $6,849 legs of the Cupid Pop-Up Series were also on the Saturday card, and were captured by: Terror Hall (2:02.1, $3.20), Bettor N Joy (2:01.4, $10.60), Maching Time (2:01.4, $4.20) and Cutter Loose (2:02.1, $2.80).
Racing continues on Sunday (Dec. 14) at First Tracks Cumberland with five $8,500 USD divisions of the Blitzen and Dasher Pop-up series for pacers filling the 12-race card.
The Pick 5 starts with the third race; the Pick 4 highlights the ninth, and the High-Five Pentafecta is featured in the finale. All wagers sport low 16 per cent takeouts. Post time for the first race is 10:55 a.m.
(with files from First Tracks Cumberland)