Warrawee Preferred won the $10,274 Jack Frost Preferred Trot at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday, April 13, which was his second win of the week.
Driven to victory by Walter Case Jr. for trainer McKenzie Sowers and owner Ryan Berry, the 13-year-old Ontario-bred son of Federal Flex had just won a $10,135 North American Amateur Driver Association event on Wednesday at Monticello Raceway.
Scoring from post seven in his Cumberland victory, Case grabbed early position by ducking in the four-hole heading into a :29.2 opening panel set by Mister Muscle (Aaron Hall) over the 'good' track. Approaching the softer 1:02.1 half, Power Mitt (Kevin Switzer Jr.) had pulled first-up and Warrawee Preferred benefitted from the live cover second-over.
As the field picked up momentum toward the third stanza in 1:32, Warrawee Preferred was three-wide on the outside and had just Power Mitt to contend with around the final turn and through the stretch. The pair battled down the lane but it was the 6-5 favourite Warrawee Preferred that prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths in the final strides in 2:04.2 to get his second victory in a row. Prescott (Andy Harrington) got up to be second and Power Mitt hung on for third.
Warrawee Preferred earned the 65th win of his career, pushing his lifetime bankroll to $369,120. He paid $4.40 to win.
A robust crowd enjoyed food and refreshments in the grandstand and enjoyed partly sunny skies on the apron for the fourth annual opening day of the spring-summer meet at the iconic Southern Maine oval. Punters wagered $104,719 on the 11-race card, which was the first of more than 50 race dates at the extended pari-mutuel harness track.
The Deslandes clan followed up their big qualifying day with a four-bagger on the afternoon program. Driver Dan, trainer Jeff and caretaker Kori took home all the bacon with victories by Fomor (2:06.3, $4.40), J S Peyton (2:02, $4.20), Grannys Girl (1:59.1, $3) and Grand Galop Semalu (2:01, $2.80).
Driver Mike Stevenson enjoyed a double on the card, including a $36.20 score with his own charge Rojas Blue Chip.
Racing returns for Sunday’s card, which features a Winners Over $10,000 USD handicap vying for $7,000 USD in purse money. The Bird Dance N, fresh off an his 1:57.1 qualifier on Tuesday, has been listed as the 6-5 early choice. Driven by the red-hot Dan Deslandes (post five) for trainer Karl Butterfield, the nine-year-old son of a Rocknroll Dance earned $68,491 last season with 10 wins in 27 starts. He already has nine starts this season and appears to be in top form. The second choice is Alex Having Fun (Aaron Hall, post six), who has been freshened up by owner/trainer Kimberly Vafiades and looks to expand upon his 2023 $90,740 seasonal total.
The Maine Amateur Driving Club also makes it’s spring debut with fan favourite Putnams Storm (and 86-year-old Bob Nadeau) taking on the Maine faithful in the $5,000 USD event sponsored by Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
Sunday’s card features 11 races with post time slated for 3:15 p.m. (EDT)
Horsepeople are reminded to check the United States Trotting Association’s online condition sheet for next week’s double draw, which will be held on Tuesday, April 16 for the Friday and Saturday (April 19 & 20) race dates. Additional information, plus live coverage and replays and is available at firsttrackscumberland.com.
First Tracks Cumberland's meet will continue throughout the spring and early summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post continues to be scheduled for 3:15 p.m. (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 3.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)