The big, strapping trotter Bruizn took command from the start and driver Andy Harrington let the son of Musclini high-step through all the fractions to win the $7,500 Free For All Trot on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at the First Tracks Cumberland Fair in 1:59.1.
Trained by Kim Ireland for owners Dennis and Deborah Foss, the nine-year-old winner of 22 lifetime starts made it two-in-a-row on the Maine Fair circuit. Already the winner of nearly $150,000 lifetime, Bruizn was a fan favourite during the First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet where he won four of six starts in the top Winners Over class during a six-week stretch.
Bend In The River (Gary Mosher) finished second and favourite Joey Bats (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third. Bruizn paid $8.60 to win.
Cumberland also hosted two divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC), with the part-time pilots entering week six of their annual summer rotation around the fairs.
Adrian Wisher Jr. got his first win of the season, driving the Christopher Dubois-trained Drain Daddy to victory in 2:00.4. Getting away third from post six, Wisher was eager to get some of that good Southern Maine air as he pulled first-up, sat on the outside from the half, and held strong right on down to the wire. A 13-year-old veteran by Mach Three, Drain Daddy has 41 lifetime wins to his credit, along with $412,494 to retire on.
Wilson Frost (Benson Merrill) finished second and Teal Hanover (Ryan Hall) was third. Drain Daddy paid a whopping $46.20 on a two-dollar win ticket.
The second MADC split went to Wynnfrith with Alex Richardson aboard. Blasting out from post five, Richardson went to the top and never looked back with the nine-year-old daughter of Ameripan Gigolo. Trained by Karl Butterfield for owner Edward Lynskey, Wynnfrith tripped the timer in 2:00.4.
Esteemed Members (Michael Girouard) finished second and Forward Bliss (Adam Gray) was third. Wynnfith paid $5.60 to win.
Driver Matty “Ice” Athearn won three races on the program, including the early daily double.
Post time is 1 p.m. for Thursday with nine races on the program, and then post time reverts back to 1:30 p.m. for the final three days of racing at the First Tracks Cumberland Fair through Sunday.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)