Top Maine pacer The Bird Dance N showed his heels to the field as he overpowered a strong group of top class side-steppers to take First Tracks Cumberland’s $9,589 Winners Over feature on Sunday, April 14 in 1:55.3.
The 1-9 heavy favourite was sent by red-hot driver Dan Deslandes right to the top, the position where the pair are most comfortable. From that point, it was only a matter of how fast and by how many the duo would leave the field in their wake. Ultimately, the thunder from Down Under was rated well with splits in :27.3, :58.2 and 1:27 with a final quarter in :28.3, scoring in hand by 2-3/4 lengths. Alex Having Fun (Aaron Hall) finished second and Lexus Witha View A (Nick Graffam) was third.
A nine-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance, The Bird Dance N recorded the 38th victory of his career and lifted his lifetime earnings to $289,363. It appears that The Bird Dance N is well on his way to another successful campaign for trainer Karl Butterfield and owner Jose Cerventes. He paid $2.20 for the win.
Butterfield had four wins on the program, with the other three driven by Shawn Thayer: Ohoka Johnny N (1:57.3, $3.40), Rods Beach (1:57.2, $3) and Its Above Me Now (1:58.4, $3.60).
The Deslandes clan followed up their big opening day with driver Dan grabbing his second grand slam in a row. Three of his winners came from the collective stable of trainer Jeff and caretaker Kori: Miss You Big Mike (1:57, $3.80), Bo Master (1:58.1, $4.40) and Next Big Thing (1:59.3, $2.60).
In the first Maine Amateur Driving Club event of the season, driver McKenzie Sowers pick right up where she left off, copping the $6,849 pace with her own Premier Joy A in 1:59. Sowers took immediate command from post four and never looked back with the 1-5 favourite. The 10-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding paid $2.40 to win. Always A Panther finished second and Deedee Didit was third. The race was sponsored by Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
Sowers got two wins as a conditioner on the day’s program, also getting a victory with the Walter Case Jr.-driven Cinco Senorita in 1:59.1.
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.
Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland on Friday, April 19 with first post at 3:15 p.m.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)