Veteran pacer Lexus Witha View A let his back class shine through to prevail in a photo finish in the $8,219 featured pace at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday, May 18.
The Aussie bred 10-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere was the most accomplished competitor in the top pacing class at the iconic Southern Maine oval, and coupled with a confident steer by Nick Graffam, the sharp steed returned to his winning ways.
Lexus Witha View A started from post four and scampered out for the lead in a :28.1 opening panel. From that point, Graffam put his pacer on cruise control through a measured tempo of :57.3 to the half with Rys Red Rocket (Walter Case Jr.) tracking along closely in second.
When the outer flow materialized, Rocksapatriot (Dave Ingraham) began his ascent to catch the favoured leader through a 1:26 third panel. As the field turned for home, Rocksapatriot dropped a :29.3 final quarter to get to within a nose of Lexus Witha View A, with the latter prevailing in a snappy 1:56.1. Ranaldi (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
Trained and co-owned by Jamie Gerard with Strategic Racing Stable, Lexus Witha View A earned the 33rd win of his career, bumping his bankroll to $335,189. He paid $7 to win.
Nick Graffam picked up his second win of the day in the finale with Dylans Future (1:58, $13). In fact, four professional drivers accounted for all the victories in the eight ‘regular’ races with Drew Campbell, Kevin Switzer Jr. and Wally Watson also picking up driving doubles.
The Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) competed in two $6,849 divisions on the Saturday card, with victories by Benson Merrill driving Bet On Success (1:59.4, $11.20) and Alex Richardson scoring with Jo Pas Sweet Lou (2:00.1, $25.60). The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
Speaking of blowing up the toteboard, leading reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. had his second $40 winner on Saturday. Ironically, it was another sophomore pacer trained by Marc Tardif that slayed his older foes as Arts Flight went from next to last to first in 30 seconds to pick up his first lifetime win and take a 2:00 record. The three-year-old son of Artistic Fella is also owned by Tardif and was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe. He paid $41.20 to win.
Racing resumes on Friday, May 24 with post time at 3:15 p.m.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)