An equipment malfunction caused a wild chain of events on Saturday, April 4 that could only be described as ‘unusual.’
While bettors at First Tracks Cumberland were still double checking their Pick 5 tickets with the $7,500 USD guarantee, the first race of the day set off a series of actions that would have even the most seasoned players and horsepeople shaking their heads in disbelief.
In the opener, the 2-1 favourite Threetimessix and Wally Watson had been in command since the start and were rolling comfortably down the backstretch toward the third station. It appears as that the inside head pole base became unattached from its terret strap on the harness and fell to the track.
Somehow, someway, that apparatus bounced all the way back to interfere with Scarlet Moon, a horse driven by Walter Case Jr. that was sitting third over in sixth, and became lodged within the spokes of the left wheel of the sulky. This caused the wheel to ‘brake’ heavily and skid along the surface, thus forcing the driver to pull up and not finish the race.
Charging down the lane with the front end of the head pole dangling, Threetimessix and Wally Watson were nipped at the wire by a nose in 2:02.1 by Delightful Virgin and Dave Ingraham, returning $56.60.
Following a long inquiry, the judges determined that Threetimessix did indirectly interfere with Scarlet Moon, and was therefore disqualified from second and placed seventh.
Subsequently, the talk of the town was not racing gear but driver Nick Graffam who went on to win the third, fourth, fifth and sixth races for a natural grand slam. Graffam captured another two races on the 13-race card giving the teamster six wins on the program. That domination of the program vaulted Graffam into first place in the drivers standings with 14 victories, followed by Aaron Hall (12) and Kevin Switzer Jr. (10).
Because of the Easter holiday, there is no racing on Sunday (April 5). Racing resumes on Saturday (April 11).
First Tracks Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday for the next two weeks in April. Friday (April 24) marks the start of six weeks of Friday-Saturday racing, through the month of May. After which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June.
First post is slated for 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.
(with files from First Tracks Cumberland; photo of Delightful Virgin (six) winning at Cumberland)