Cumberland Raceway has added a third day to their Winter Festival schedule, with Friday racing beginning Dec. 6 and continuing for the next three weeks of December. Racing Secretary Rob Pennington has written four series with two early legs and finals going for $10,000 USD each on the weekend of Dec. 21 and 22. Due to the elevated purse offerings, the box was overflowing with entries which resulted in 12 divisions of the first preliminary leg with total purses exceeding $60,000 USD.
Friday’s (Dec. 6) card has nine races with two $4,500 USD divisions of the TrackMaster series and a $5,500 USD featured fillies and mares pace, led by Windydayatthebeach (3-2, Drew Campbell). The four-year-old daughter of Downbytheseaside drops down from tougher Plainridge company for trainer Randy Bickmore.
The action continues on Saturday (Dec. 7) with an 11-race card, which includes a $6,000 USD Winners Over Trot. The early morning line favourite is Motto (5-2, McGwire Sowers) who has earned $113,297 this season. The second choice is Jax Spratt (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) who scores from pylon position. Chasing them will be two last start winners in Little Macabee (7-2, Drew Cambell) and Knight Angel (4-1, Aaron Hall).
Saturday’s card also carries a $6,000 USD Winners Over Pace, led by Varney (2-1, Nick Graffam) who has earned $88,714 this year and been 17 times 1-2-3 in 31 outings. The second choice is Sixfingerfreddie (5-2, Drew Campbell) who won in 1:53.4 at Plainridge a few starts back.
Sunday’s (Dec. 8) card boasts ten divisions of the various pop-up series and the $4,000 USD Maine Amateur Driving Club race.
On each of the three racing days, the Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.
The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, 2024, and post time is always 10:55 a.m. The popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 21, with a total of 12 entries to be paraded in front of their Maine fanbase.
(First Tracks Cumberland)