Veteran trotter J S Peyton reached a career milestone in Pop-Up Series action at First Tracks Cumberland on Monday, Dec. 8, earning his 50th career victory.
On the race card that was originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 and held in it’s entirety two days later, J S Peyton won a $9,028 co-featured division of the Prancer Pop-Up Series, a conditioned optional $6,000 USD claiming event. J S Peyton enjoyed a wire-to-wire route to victory, scoring in 2:03.1 for driver Nick Graffam and trainer Benson Merrill. Ghetto Boy (Mike Stevenson) finished 3-1/4 lengths behind in second while Devious Lad (Mike Cushing) was a distant third.
J S Peyton was the bettors' choice and paid $3.80 to win as he recorded his seventh seasonal triumph in 28 starts. The 10-year-old by Swan For All out of Aucune Hanover is owned by the triumvirate of Bill Tracy of Brownfield, Maine and Marty Kiernan and Thelma Kiernan of Gardiner, New York.
Jax Spratt made every call a winning one in the other division for driver/trainer Aaron Hall and owner Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps of Yarmouth, Maine. Completing the mile in 2:02.3, the five-year-old son of Devious Man-Jackie Newlands recorded his ninth win of season in 26 starts and the 28th victory of his career. He returned $4.60 to win as the odds-on favourite. Matt So Sure (Nick Graffam) finished 1-1/4 lengths behind in second with Lindy On Stage (Wally Watson) third.
Graffam, Hall and Mike Stevenson all picked up driving doubles on the nine-race program.
Racing resumes on Friday, Dec. 12 as Cumberland Raceway has transitioned to three days of harness racing (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays). The Au Revoir Retirement ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 20. The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025. Post time is always 10:55 a.m.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)