The Bird Dance N, driven by Nick Graffam, scored a big win in the $20,000 Spring Fling Late Closer Final No. 2 at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday, April 29.
Part of an ownership entry, the heavy favourite danced swiftly around the oval unchallenged to win by five lengths for owner Jose Cerventes and trainer Karl Butterfield. The Bird Dance N's winning time of 1:55.2 was a season's best following his initial victory of the year last week in a preliminary leg of the series. Entry-mate Dragonoloy was second; Bay Brute (Aaron Hall) was third.
An eight-year-old gelded son of A Rocknroll Dance, The Bird Dance N has won 28 of his 58 starts and more than $211,000 in purses.
The victory was part of a driving double on the card for Graffam, who closed the day at 985 wins lifetime.
The $6,000 Winners Over Pace was captured by Adriano Hanover, who was driven to a decisive front-end score by Kevin Switzer Jr in 1:56. Owned and trained by Gerald MacKenzie Jr., the six-year-old Western Ideal stallion found the Cumberland oval much to his liking, having emanated from the Meadowlands.
Veteran reinsman Bruce Ranger moved four steps closer to the 10,000-win threshold on Saturday, picking up a quartet of victories including three-in-a-row on the 12-race program. The Maine native and fan favourite now has 9,986 lifetime victories and sits 19th on the all-time dash win list.
The ‘Ranger-Graffam’ milestone watch continues Monday, May 1 and Tuesday, May 2 at Plainridge and then moves to Bangor on Wednesday, May 3 for the opening day of racing in Northern Maine. The action at Cumberland resumes Friday, May 5, with first post time slated for 3:15 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland; Photo of The Bird Dance N winning on April 22)