Driver Mike Stevenson left alertly with Caulfield, set the tempo, and enjoyed a wire-to-wire victory in the $6,000 Winners-Over Trot, out-stepping favourite Awol Hanover to capture the feature race in 2:02 at Cumberland on Saturday (May 15) afternoon.
Bet down to 7-5 under sunny skies and temps in the mid-70s, the ultra-consistent nine-year-old son of Kadabra has only missed the board in one start this season, winning three of six with two third-place finishes in 2021. Owned by George Tzikas and trained by Bob Marston, Caulfield has amassed over $372,000 in earnings with 24 wins on his resume. The classy campaigner has hit the board in over half of his 156 starts. Caufield paid $4.80 to win.
Bruce Ranger enjoyed a driving double on the card, which included an encore appearance by Ira Chief in the winner’s circle. The 12-year-old son of Chief Silverheels has enjoyed back-to-back victories at the fledgling Cumberland meet, taking the first of today’s three $4,500 divisions of NW3500L5 pacing class in 1:57.3.
Ira Chief is owned by Dianne Whittemore and is trained by Dennis Whittemore. He paid $4.40 to win.
Ranger’s second win came with another horse that won on opening day, Shady Secret A. Despite a jump in class and drawing post 7, the eight-year-old daughter of Shadyshark Hanover moved first over from the quarter and parked the rest of the way to win in 1:57.3, a seasonal mark.
Shady Secret A is owned by Grant Owens, trained by Ben Merrill and paid $17.00 to win.
All in all, five horses on the card captured back-to-back victories at the new Cumberland race meet. The youngest was the Sara Gibbs-owned and trained Dreamfair Fantasy. She, a three-year-old Bettors Delight filly, was driven to victory by Heath Campbell in 2:02.4. Dreamfair Fantasy paid $4.40 to win.
Driver Dan Deslandes also had two wins on today’s card, the swiftest of the day was Mighty American N, who won the second $4,500 div. NW3500L5 in 1:56.1h. The nine-year-old son of American Ideal is owned by Jose Cervantes and was trained by Karl Butterfield. Mighty American N paid $7.00 to win.
Racing from Cumberland resumes Tuesday (May 18). First-race post time is set for 4:15 p.m. (EDT).
(First Tracks Cumberland)