Former U.S. Amateur Driver of the Year Todd Whitney showed he still has what it takes when he guided All It Takes to a wire-to-wire victory in the $6,849 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) race on Saturday, April 27 at First Tracks Cumberland.
Scoring from post six, the veteran reinsman had to hustle his charge from the starting gate to make the lead going into the :29 opening panel. Held at bay until that marker by 1-5 favourite Furious Beach (Michael Girouard), the pair was on top and managed to catch a quick breather while heading to the :59.1 half with the favourite glued to his helmet at that point.
Past the 1:28.3 third stanza, Riproy (Benson Merrill) pulled from the three-hole and was all alone first-over as the field rolled through the final turn following Whitney and 7-1 shot All It Takes.
As they straightened out for the stretch drive, Furious Beach ducked along the pylons and made a frantic bid to pass the leader. With every stride, the pair exchanged glances, but to no avail as the leader, All It Takes, showed that he still had all it took to hold on and score by half a length in 1:59. Riproy finished third.
Trained by David Sawyer and owned by Wil Dubois, the 10-year-old son of Mach Three picked up the 33rd win of his career and his first of the season from four starts. He paid $16 to win.
For Whitney, his first drive of the season was a winning effort. A harness racing participant since 1998, Whitney now has 178 career driving wins. He earned the United States Harness Writers Award as the National Amateur Driving Champion in 2009.
As always, the MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
The $8,219 featured pacing race of the day was captured by Ranaldi and driver Drew Campbell in 1:57.3. Trained by Cain MacKenzie for owner Common Kings Stable, the five-year-old son of Western Maverick paid $25.20 to win. Bet On Joe (Bruce Ranger) finished second and Tim McMiki (Mike Stevenson) was third.
The swiftest race of the day was seized by 2023 Maine Sire Stakes star So Rock N Roll, who scored by nine lengths in 1:56.3, paying $4.40 as the favourite for his second win of the season from five outings. Driven by Andy Harrington for trainer Larry Dancer, the four-year-old son of Western Maverick is owned and was bred by the Leighton Property.
Driver Dan Deslandes had another driving double on the program. Jeff Deslandes and Larry Dancer picked each up two training wins.
Live harness racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 with post time slated for 3:15 p.m. each day. Thoroughbred racing's Kentucky Derby will be contested on Saturday and the public can watch and wager on the 150th renewal of the Run for the Roses from Churchill Downs at First Tracks Cumberland. Programs, big screen television viewing and betting are all available at the fairgrounds, provided by First Tracks Cumberland. The track’s new and improved snack bar is operating with a selection of food and drink options.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)