Eight qualifying races are carded and ready to roll at First Tracks Cumberland in Maine on Tuesday, April 9. Sixty horses filled the entry box for the qualifers that begin at 11:30 a.m. and will be broadcast in its totality on the Racetrack Television Network.
With the upcoming spring meet at Cumberland taking shape, a host of three-year-olds all the way up to 15-year-old Putnams Storm (pictured above) are ready to take on the teletimer and their peers in the first harness racing action in the state of Maine for 2024.
The continued forecast is for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s through the afternoon, which has led to a swift melting of the lofty snowfall totals that wreaked havoc on the area last weekend.
The fan favourite grey gelding Putnams Storm, who enters the encore of his career, will be driven by his 86-year-old owner/trainer Bob Nadeau in qualifier five. Just inside him is Maine Sire Stakes champion Luke McGook, who is now four and continues to race for his Leighton Property ownership.
Race Secretary Rob Pennington orchestrated a very competitive qualifying card in hopes of attracting much of this talent to the first draw for opening weekend. A double draw shall be conducted for Saturday and Sunday (April 13 & 14), with the box closing at a special time of 1 p.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, April 10. The overnight condition sheet for the first week of racing is now available on the United States Trotting Association's online entry system.
First Tracks Cumberland's meet will continue throughout the spring and early summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 3.
(First Tracks Cumberland)