Fans showed Maine harness racing some love on Friday at First Tracks Cumberland with an all-time record handle of $265,000.
The $265,000 total handle for Friday’s card at Cumberland was the largest handle wagered in the state of Maine in more than four decades. The previous high was $191,000 set on Dec. 26, 2022.
Trainer/driver Ivan Davies swept both $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-olds, with both winning trotters being bred by the late Mike Andrew, sired by Boy Band and owned by Anita Anastosopolous.
In the early $14,502 non-wagering event, Davies cruised toward the front with his sophomore filly Wild Ending while navigating several breakers to finally take the lead past the :33.2 opening panel. With a snappy 1:03.4 half, Davies had put eight lengths between himself and the rest of the field. Last week’s winner Shesalilbitmouthy (Aaron Hall) caught the field at the 1:36.2 third panel after an earlier miscue just past the start. As the field turned for home, Davies let out another notch and cruised to victory in 2:06.2, with a final quarter in 30 seconds flat. It was the first lifetime victory for Wild Ending. Shesalilbitmouthy finished second and Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
A little over an hour later, Davies came right back to capture the $14,641 Maine Sire Stakes three-year-old colt and gelding trot with Wabanaki (pictured above) in 2:01.1. As the wings folded, all the boys behaved, putting six sophomore trotters into contention through the tight Cumberland first turn. Davies and Wabanaki benefitted from the pylon position and held sway through the bend and onto the backstretch. Stealin Money (Nick Graffam) tracked closely in second, with Outlawofthevalley (Kevin Switzer Jr.) in third. Davies and Wabanaki continued to call the shots at the 1:00.3 half, but when the leader hit the third panel in 1:30.4, Outlawofthevalley pulled first-over to make a bid for the top. However, Davies had other ideas as he and the son of Boy Band used that cue to quicken the pace. When the pair hit the head of the stretch, Wabanaki drifted out but had sufficient distance on the field to score by 3-1/2 lengths at the wire. Wabanak paid $8.20 to win. Stealin Money finished second and Pembroke Traveler was third.
The $6,000 overnight feature was won by Broadway Giant in 2:00 for driver Bruce Ranger and owner/trainer Ron Patoine. He paid $12.80 to win.
Dave Ingraham and Kevin Switzer Jr. each won three races on the 13-race card.
Saturday’s program carries 11 races, plus two early $15,209 non-wagering Maine Sire Stakes events for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings. In addition, the Maine Amateur Driving Club is slated as race nine. As always, this series is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine. The wagering menu always includes a 50-cent trifecta in every race, as well as the standard collection of lucrative wagers with low 16 per cent takeouts scattered throughout the card. Cumberland will offer Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all the pertinent wagering options every Saturday. First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT).
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)