First Tracks Cumberland welcomes the $240,000-plus Maine Breeders Stakes (MSBS) for two-year-old state-bred harness horses on Saturday (Oct. 1), being held on the final day of the 150th Cumberland Fair.
The opener is the $60,684 MSBS Two-Year-Old Filly Trot, which is led by Shesalilbitmouthy. The leader of the division with 362 points and the highest earnings, the daughter of Victor Blue Chip has seven consecutive wins in eight starts. Having dominated this group most of the season, her only miscue was in her first start at Cumberland. She is trained by Gretchen Athearn and will be driven by Mark Athearn for owner Bill “Yarmouth Lumber” Phipps.
Another Adventure has been chasing Shesalilbitmouthy all season. A daughter of Noble Venture, she has seven second-place finishes in nine starts for trainer Marc Tardif. The second-leading point winner (212) and money earnings in the division, she took her record at Cumberland in week one.
Race 3 is the $60,864 MSBS Two-Year-Old Colt Trot final, with a field of seven aligning. Outlawofthevalley has led the division with 220 points and also has the highest earnings. Marc Tardif trains the son of Pembroke Slugger has three wins and four second-place finishes in nine starts and has a good shot to take the big prize if he stays flat for driver Kevin Switzer Jr.
Another top contender in the division is Pembroke Traveler, who sports the fastest record in the division and is the second-leading point earner (164). Another son of Pembroke Slugger, he won two of his last three starts, including a 5-3/4 length romp at Farmington for the partnership of Heath Campbell and Valerie Grondin.
Race 7 carries a full field of eight into the $61,028 MSBS Two-Year-Old Filly Pace fina with standout Pickmepickme leads the charge. The undisputed heavyweight of the division with 375 points, she also has banked the most bucks for owner-trainer-breeder Marc Tardif. With seven wins in nine starts, the daughter of Western Maverick has amassed an impressive 32-length combined margin of victory in her last six romps. Andy Harrington gets the call.
Tardif stablemate Katelyns Angel has been chasing the aforementioned top filly, and has maintained second-leading-point-earner (250) status. With five wins in nine starts, including her last win in the slop, the Western Maverick lass can take the air or win on the front end for driver Kevin Switzer Jr.
The closing Maine-sired event is the $61,067 MSBS Two-Year-Old Colt Pace final, programmed as Race 9. Luke McGook p,2,1:59.3h ($53,659) leads his group with 350 points and most money earned. One of five entrants in the race for trainer Marc Tardif, he has seven wins and two seconds in nine starts. With victories on the front or from off the pace, the son of Rock Nroll World will have a target on his back, as he is the horse to beat.
Valerie Grondin’s Two Towns Over is no slouch either. Sporting the co-fastest record in the division, well as being the second highest point earner (295), he is on a five-race winning streak. Aaron Hall will guide the son of Deuce Seelster.
Including the Maine Stakes, First Tracks Cumberland has added several invitationals to the day’s festivities, bringing the total purses on the program to over $325,000. The sixth race features the Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win up to $500 by picking the correct race winner.
(MSBS)