If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Saturday’s Kentucky Derby must be a big deal in Southern Maine as First Tracks Cumberland has a $7,000 USD ‘Derby’ of their own that also covers the iconic 1-1/4-mile distance.
Although a trio of decimal points separates the purse of the two events, the connections of the horses in the Cumberland Derby will be cheering just as loud. Slated as race eight in a 12-event card at First Tracks Cumberland with a special first post time of 2:45 p.m., the local Derby should go off a few of hours into the Mint Juleps, and less than two hours before the champagne toast at Churchill Downs.
The 2-1 morning line favourite in the 10-furlong test is Yamaka (Wally Watson), who won his last start at Cumberland a week ago in a snappy 1:57.4. Trained by Chris DuBois, the 12-year-old son of American Ideal has earned $286,876 with 35 wins lifetime.
Local favourite Airspinder (Dave Ingraham), the 5-2 second choice on the morning line, has raced, and won, at Cumberland every season since First Tracks first opened and has 36 career wins with $256,453 in purses earned. The 10-year-old son of No Spin Zone has had nearly a dozen different trainers since 2019, but has stayed with owner/trainer David Sawyer continuously since July 2023.
Completing the field are Ahoy Hanover (James Doucette), Urika Blue Chip (Jason Bertolini), Lenwoods Real Deal (Mike Stevenson) and Beyond The Past (McGwire Sowers).
Fans and bettors can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Saturday’s 152nd Run for the Roses. Doors open at Cumberland at 12 noon for the full-card simulcast of Thoroughbred racing’s biggest event, with a host of food and beverage options available all day at the track.
The Derby Day card is preceded by Friday’s regular program with a first post of 12:15 p.m.
Friday-Saturday racing at First Tracks Cumberland runs throughout the month of May then reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the month of June. The extended pari-mutuel meeting runs through Aug. 2.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland; photo of Airspinder from a previous win)