Air Force Grad, a grey fan favourite and barn pet of veteran outrider Sherry Cushing, was paraded in front of the fans to kick off the exhibition of Au Revoir Day at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday, Dec. 20, which honoured 12 individual harness horses on the eve of their official retirements at age 14.
The Standardbred breed found strong ambassadors of its stamina and durability in the dozen foals of 2011 with Maine connections that were recognized for their racing achievements and longevity during the all-day presentations.
Cushing, long-time outrider at both Monticello and Cumberland Raceways, said "One of my favorite drives on [Air Force] Grad was on Mother’s Day [2018], when I had just graduated from nursing school. He came from way back to pull off the win at Scarborough Downs.”
Cushing, the owner, trainer and part-time driver of the son of The Panderosa-Congress Hill Roan, has had the horse since he was three. She said that “his new job in retirement will be dressage and driving classes at local horse shows.”
In addition to Air Force Grad, the other retirees were Archetto Hanover, Bali, Dancin Hill, Diabando, Frankandjoanne, Mr Bo Diddley, One Swan For All, Pembroke Scorpio, Royal Reception, Skyful Of Lighters and Warrawee Preferred. All horses paraded in front of the stands, with many being swarmed by friends and well-wishers in the winners circle.
Among the group, whose combined earnings are more than $3.5 million, there are a few horses with distinctions worth noting.
"Archetto Hanover may be the Standardbred who has competed at more extended pari-mutuel tracks (26) than any other horse in recent history," said Derick Giwner, editor of DRF Harness.
The son of Bettors Delight-Arts Masterpiece is also the richest among the retirees with $593,169 in earnings and has the most starts in the group, having gone to post 421 times.
Local trotting warhorse Warrawee Preferred has the highest win rate of 22 per cent and is tied with pacer Bali as having the most wins with 68.
Dancin Hill is the group’s fastest pacer at 1:50.1, and One Swan For All is the swiftest trotter with a mark of 1:54.1. Overall, the group has been behind the starting car a combined 3,501 times, with an average of 292 starts per retiree.
In addition to the Au Revoir ceremonies, Cumberland also hosted the $13,699 Prancer Pop-Up Series Final, which was handily captured by Jax Spratt in a wire-to-wire triumph in 2:03.4. Trained and driven to victory by Aaron Hall for owner Bill Phipps, the five-year-old son of Devious Man-Jackie Newlands won his third straight start at Cumberland and now has 11 scores this season in 28 outings. He returned $2.80 to his backers. Ghetto Boy (Hunter Lofthus) finished second, and J S Peyton (Nick Graffam) was third.
The $8,219 Comet Pop-Up Series Consolation went to Calvin K ($16.40) in 2:01. Driven by Nick Graffam for trainer Dalton Lee, the 11-year-old son of Classic Card Shark-Road To Pandalay scored for owner Bob Kluchevitz.
In the $6,849 Cupid Pop-Up Series Consolation, it was Just Aftermidnight ($3.80) who timed his move perfectly to swoop past rivals down the backside and score in 2:03.2. Andy Harrington drove the three-year-old son of Thirty Two Red-Dovetail for owner-trainer-breeder Christine Holt.
Driver Nick Graffam enjoyed a driving triple on the nine-race card, with Kevin Switzer Jr. and Aaron Hall each picking up a pair of victories.
Mandatory payouts originally scheduled for Sunday will now be must-pays on Monday, Dec. 22 card, which was postponed from Friday. Post time remains 10:55 a.m.
(Cumberland; photo of Air Force Grad's retirement ceremony on Dec. 20)