Rys Red Rocket has been on an absolute tear at First Tracks Cumberland since early May, ripping off three wins and four seconds in her last seven starts. Trained and owned by veteran New England master horseman Donnie Richards, and driven by up-and-coming young gun Matty “Ice” Athearn, Rys Red Rocket looks to even up her own score with a win this weekend.
“She’s awesome to sit behind. She loves her job and loves to chase a horse down,” stated Athearn.
Matt Athearn was aboard the five-year-old daughter of Sunshine Beach when she set a track record of 1:54.2 on Memorial Day weekend at Cumberland.
Of course, Richards was pleased as well.
“He smiled from ear to ear, shook my hand and said, ‘That was one of the best victories of my career,’” recalled Athearn.
Grabbing the reins on racehorses for a legend like Richards, a man nearly four times his age, is not lost on the 20-something Athearn.
“Driving for Donnie is such an honour,” said Athearn. “He never complains and never tells me what to do. It’s a great feeling having a Hall of Famer trust you with the lines when you’re only 24!”
Looking ahead, Matty “Ice” opined, “I think if the race has a quick first half, she will come to play in the second half.”
Rys Red Rocket scores from post five in the $6,000 Four & Five-Year-Old Open Pace on Friday (July 15) and has been installed as the 5-2 morning line early favourite.
Another horse with a handsome résumé is Readyfortheladys (post four, Aaron Hall, 3-1), who is coming off a pair of victories against lesser company.
Friday’s card has a total of 11 races on the program, and one early non-betting race, which includes an $11,878 leg of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies. The Maine-bred pacers continue with two more legs for three-year-old pacing fillies on the regular program.
The $11,000 divisions are carded as Races 1 and 3, the first of which includes Pembroke Legacy who is a perfect three-for-three in Maine Breeders Stakes action this season for the trainer, driver, owner and breeder team of Valerie Grondin, Heath Campbell & Bill Varney.
Racing continues on Saturday (July 16) with nine races on the wagering card, including another $4,200 leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds, along with several Open Trot and Open Pace races.
Mister Muscle will be looking for his third win a row in the $6,500 Open 2-3 Trot. Jamie Gerard trains the eight-year-old son of Muscle Mass and Bruce Ranger will drive from post five.
There will also be with three non-betting races, starting at 2:30 p.m., featuring the ‘Glamour Boys’ division of a nine-horse, $12,479 Maine Breeders Stakes leg, as well as two $11,000 divisions for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
The final race on both Friday and Saturday features a 20-cent Hi-Five (Pentafecta), with a low takeout of 16 per cent.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)