Driver Aaron Hall swept all three of the $6,000 divisions of the Jack Frost Trotting Series at First Tracks Cumberland on Sunday, Dec. 17 -- two of which were from his own stable and one from his dad Craig’s barn.
In the first division, Hall went first-over with Matt So Sure (pictured above) and prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths in a 2:00.2 seasonal best effort. Trained and co-owned by Craig Hall with Cody Kelley, the five-year-old son of Noble Venture picked up the fourth win of his last six starts and fifth victory overall this season. He paid $4 to win. Prescott (Andy Harrington) finished second and Starlit Thiswanman (Nick Graffam) was third.
Hall went right back out to win the second division with Bill Phipps’s Namesmuscle. The Maine native put the 11-year-old son of Muscle Mass right on the front end and maintained command every step of the way. Holding off the late charge of High Gear No Fear (Mike Stevenson), they tripped the timer in 2:02, winning by a head. It was the Hall trainee's fifth win in a row and the 49th of his career. Namesmuscle paid $2.40 to win. Warrawee Preferred (Nick Graffam) finished third.
The third and final division went to Hall’s own Knight Angel, a recent purchase from the Orange Crush stable of Andy and Julie Miller. This was the seven-year-old Archangel gelding’s second victory since making Maine his new home, scoring in 2:00.4. He paid $2.60 to win. Cellular (Walter Case Jr.) finished second, 3-1/4 lengths behind, and Foxy Trottin Stick (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
At first glance, one may assume that this would put Hall in a tough position as to which horse he may drive in the final on Dec. 24. However, Hall noted, “Since I own Knight Angel, I actually don’t have a choice at all.
“All three horses raced great [on Sunday],” said Hall. “It should be a good race next weekend with eight solid horses in the final. Like always, the draw will be huge.”
The swiftest race of the day went to Grannys Girl, who took a $6,000 division of the Holly Late Closer in 1:57.2. Driven by Dan Deslandes for trainer Jeff Deslandes, she paid $8.40 to win.
The other Holly division was captured by Pretty Gorgeous in 1:58.2. Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Benson Merrill, she paid $3.20 for the victory.
Hunter Lofthus took the $4,400 seventh and final leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) race, which was his second win in a row with Martaritaondarocks. Using a big, three-wide move down the backside, the reinsman set the four-year-old Pet Rock mare ablaze to score by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:59.3. She paid $4.60 to win and notched her fourth victory in five starts.
Now entrenched firmly in second place, Lofthus will be among the favourites for the $6,000 winter MADC final, slated for Dec. 24. As always, the MADC events are sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)