While temperatures soared across the country this weekend, the tempo was hot on the final day of the Spring-Summer meet at First Tracks Cumberland Saturday (July 23) with leading driver Bruce Ranger steering Vesuvio Bi to back-to-back Open Trot victories and breaking a track record in the process.
When the starter said "Go" for the $6,000 Open 2-3 Trot, Ranger catapulted Vesuvio Bi three wide into the first turn while forcing a breathtaking :27 opening panel. The speedy tempo stretched the field and Ranger had the eight-year-old son of Manofmanymissions out front by open lengths and hit the half all alone in :56.2.
And if that wasn’t hot enough, the tempo-setting pair scorched the field going down the backside to three-quarters in 1:25.2. On top by six in what may have been the fastest three-quarters posted in a trotting race in the history of the Cumberland Fairgrounds, Ranger and Vesuvio Bi distanced themselves enough to coast home a somewhat leg-weary winner by 3-1/2 lengths.
Vesuvio Bi paid $3.60 to win, with his 1:57.1 clocking being the fastest mile ever trotted by an aged gelding at Cumberland. Little Macabee finished second and Caulfield was third.
It was the 29th victory for Vesuvio Bi, who is trained by Joseph Nelson for owners Michele Nelson and Eric Everett.
In Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) action, Zack "The Sherriff" Gray took matters into his own hands and posted a big victory on the closing weekend at Cumberland.
Scoring from post 4, Zack Gray got away fourth with Lightupbullville while Alex Richardson, driving favourite Our Royal Majesty, grabbed the lead from post 2. Going to the half, Gray pulled the 11-year-old son of Bettors Delight to be first over and fought valiantly for the lead through the following two furlongs and ultimately drew off by 5-3/4 lengths for the win in 1:59.3.
Trained by Fred Ward and owned by Sharon Ward, Lightupbullville paid $7.40 to win for the 27th time in his life. Tricia Star finished second; Our Royal Mattjesty hung on for third.
Jason Bertolini maintained his MADC point advantage and finished the Cumberland Spring-Summer season on top with 69 points. Alex Richardson finished in second with 59; Benson Merrill was third with 50.
The Maine Amateur Driving Club is sponsored by the North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feed Store and the Windham Blue Seal Feed Store, with leadership and support from Aimee Nichols, their dedicated territory sales manager.
There were two Maine Breeders Stakes (MSBS) held before the regular program. The two $11,000-plus MSBS races were for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings. The first non-bettor was won by Luke Mcgook in a wire-to-wire cruise in 2:02. Kevin Switzer Jr. drove the son of Rock N Roll World for trainer Marc Tardiff and owner Leighton Property. Luke McGook was bred in Maine by Erica Saucier and is now four-for-four on the season.
Rockaroundsam finished second and Two Towns Over was third.
The second non-wagering event saw Twice The Ice, a son of Deuce Seelster, equal his mark from last week, scoring in 2:01.4. Twice The Ice is owned and trained by Marc Tardif and was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall. Walter Case Jr. sat in the bike.
Mattuci finished second and Anithingforyoudear was third.
Walter Case Jr. and Mark Athearn made two trips to the Blue Seal Feeds Winners Circle.
Harness racing at the Cumberland Fairgrounds returns during the Maine Fair Circuit from Sept. 25 through Oct. 2. First Tracks Cumberland winter festival reconvenes on Nov. 11 and races through New Year’s Eve.
(First Tracks Cumberland)