Sunny skies and warmer temperatures brought out a nice crowd for opening day at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday, March 21, with several regulars picking up where they left off, along with some new faces also grabbing the spotlight; however, the brightest star of the day was driver Dave Ingraham, who secured his 8,000th career victory.
It only took three tries for the 64-year-old Ingraham to find the Cumberland winner’s circle, moving second-over with seasoned trotter Little Macabee in the sixth race to score comfortably by a 1-1/4 lengths in 2:02.4 for trainer Eric Bickmore and owner Maryann Tompkins of Chelsea, Maine.
Given the nickname ‘Double-Digit Dave’ by track announcer and simulcast specialist Gabe Prewitt during his most recent Pompano Park days, Ingraham lived up to his moniker. While steering the 12-year-old son of Chapter Seven-Fraulien Bluestone to his 45th lifetime win, they returned $29.80 at the betting windows.
In the winner’s circle, Ingraham was surrounded by family and friends to celebrate the achievement. With wide smiles, his wife Kelly Case and daughter Kelsie proudly held up the bright blue and orange banner exclaiming the milestone victory, while his colleagues cheered for the photo op.
Driving harness horses since 1980, Ingraham has driven the winners of $33.3 million in purses and enjoyed a dozen seasons with a million or more in earnings. His best year was 1995 when the Maine native drove winners of $2.7 million in purses. He won 403 races that year and topped that mark for a personal best 436 wins in a season in 1999.
Speaking of veteran drivers, Mike Stevenson got the day started sweeping the Daily Double with Rose Run Yakim ($23.60) for trainer Johnathan Bresnahan and Mulligan Philly ($14.20) for conditioner Marianna Monaco.
Last year’s leading driver at Cumberland, Kevin Switzer Jr., got down to business shortly thereafter winning the next two races and the $9,589 featured Winners Over Handicap Trot with Big Al M in 2:00.4. Owned and trained by Zach Vickerson, the eight-year-old son of Anders Bluestone-Bringing Up Lindy picked up his 33rd career victory in his season's debut, returning $5 to his backers. Big Al M led wire-to-wire and won by 5-1/2 lengths over favourite Brutalizer (Andy Harrington) and Smooth Landing (Wally Watson).
Aaron Hall also copped a hat trick on the 12-race afternoon card, scoring with Twin B High Tech ($6.20), Zoes Precious Rn ($8.20) and Commander Cathy N ($6.80).
The 12-race card originally scheduled for Sunday, March 22 has been postponed until Monday, March 23 due to a winter storm expected to hit the entire region. First post is slated for 12:15 p.m.
First Tracks Cumberland’s spring/summer meet will continue with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday each weekend through the month of April. During the month of May, the track transitions to a Friday-Saturday schedule for those five weeks, after which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)