The second round of three elimination legs of the Fred Nichols Memorial Late Closing Series went postward at First Tracks Cumberland on Wednesday (Dec. 15), with two new victors and one repeat winner visiting the Blue Seal Winners Circle.
The first $5,000 division was a wire-to-wire romp for Sanattle Slew and driver Dan Deslandes. The meet’s third leading reinsman put the 10-year-old son of Santanna Blue Chip on the front end from post five, and never looked back. Scoring in 1:58.3 by 3-3/4 lengths, it was Sanattle Slew’s fourth victory in his last five starts.
Trained by Karl Butterfield for owner Jose Cerventes, Sanattle Slew paid $6 to win. Cool Jack (Aaron Hall) finished second and Through The Fence (Drew Campbell) was third.
The second division went to repeat winner Obscene Blue Chip and driver Matt Athearn. Starting from post six, the seven-year-old son of Western Ideal had the best view of favourite Mach Diesel (Bruce Ranger) cutting fractions of :28.2 and :58.2 to the half. Southwind Terror (Nick Graffam) was the first to pull, with Obscene Blue Chip (Athearn) enjoying that second-over cover into a 1:27.2 third quarter.
Athearn urged Obscene Blue Chip down the lane and squeaked out the win by a nose in 1:59.2 over King Royalty (Kevin Switzer). Mach Diesel (Ranger) finished third by a neck.
Trained by Kenneth Secord for owner Cris Wescott, Obscene Blue Chip paid $6 to win.
The third and final division of the Fred Nichols was captured by So It Goes and Nick Graffam, who got up in the final strides to win by a nose over favourite Commondiscourtesy (Drew Campbell) in 1:58.4.
Trained and co-owned by Brian Lamb with Mona Dodd, So It Goes lit up the toteboard, paying $62 to win.
Named for the man that was instrumental in keeping Maine's harness racing industry alive, Nichols wore many hats in the industry, including, but not limited to USTA director, race secretary and promotions director. The top eight money-earners (listed below) that raced in both legs and subsequently enter will qualify for the $15,000 final on Wednesday, Dec. 22.
Kevin Switzer Jr. enjoyed two driving wins on the program. Bruce Ranger and Drew Campbell each had one win on the card, which was enough to keep the former in first place by one victory over the latter, in the on-going battle for Cumberland’s top dash-winning reinsman.
Racing resumes once again on Saturday (Dec. 18) and Sunday (Dec. 19). Post time for all race dates is 11 a.m.
Fred Nichols Memorial Earnings Standings
1. $5,000 - Obscene Blue Chip
2. $3,750 - Commondiscourtesy
T-3. $3,100 - Sanattle Slew
T-3. $3,100 - Through The Fence
T-5. $2,500 - Cool Jack
T-5. $2,500 - So It Goes
T-7. $1,850 - Mach Diesel
T-7. $1,850 - Po Po Dee
9. $1,250 - King Royalty
T-10. $1,000 - Joey The Third
T-10. $1,000 - Tail Hook
T-12. $650 - Bet On Success
T-12. $650 - Real Sancho
14. $500 - Moonshinecharleigh
T-15. $400 - Southwind Terror
T-15. $400 - Toe Tag
17. $250 - Rockaholic
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)