Saturday’s 11-race card at Cumberland features three divisions for Open Pacers, the richest of which goes for a purse of $6,000.
The ‘Open I’ division pits local heros Airspinder (Post 5, Wally Watson, 7-2) and Captain Nash (Post 2, Drew Campbell, 3-1) against some horses that have recently arrived from Plainridge. The Wayfaring Man (Post 3, Matt Athearn, 4-1) has been competing against tougher foes and will try to grab this one in the class drop. Beach Watch (Post 1, Aaron Hall, 9-2) also looks for smooth surfing having last won a $20,000 claimer a month ago.
Offered as the ninth race on the card, it is the start of the 50 cent pick 3, along with exacta and trifecta wagering.
The $5,500 ‘Open II’ has a few locals defending their home turf from a handful of Bay State invaders.
Linda In Heaven (Post 4, 5-2) gave driver Drew Campbell his penultimate 5,500th victory last week, and looks to make this outing thrice as nice. Bruce Ranger gets the call on Twin B Jays (Post 1, 3-1) who has emanated from Plainridge and could be a spoiler from pylon position. Plus One (Post 5, Kevin Switzer Jr., 7-2) rounds out the top three contenders.
Scheduled as the opener, wagering options include, but are not limited to, the start of the daily double as well as the Pick 5.
The “Greatest Side Show in Maine Harness Racing” begins with the fifth race and is the first of three divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC). The $4,000 ‘Group B’ is a full field of seven aspiring reinsmen with recent winners Jason Bertolini and Benson Merrill each taking a shot at paydirt with different mounts.
The TrackMaster morning line favourite is Winning Chip (Post 4, Zachary Gray, 5-2) who has been second best in his last two starts, and looks to put a notch in the elusive win column.
MADC $4,500 ‘Group A’ follows in race eight with many of the usually suspects looking for an easy mark. See You Friday (post 5, Zachary Gray, 5-2) is listed as the favorite having not been off the board in seven starts. Of course Rockaholic and Dakota Jackson (Post 2, 4-1) and Led Schneppelin and Jason Bertolini (Post 3, 5-1) will look to catch lightening in a bottle once again.
As always, the Maine Amateur Driving Club is sponsored by the generous folks at the North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feed Store and the Windham Blue Seal Feed Store, with leadership and support from Aimee Nichols, their gregarious territory sales manager.
Live harness racing resumes the following day, Sunday (Dec. 5), with a full program which begins at 11 a.m. The card features three separate classes for open trotters and host of other overnight races and plenty of pari-mutuel activity.
Cumberland's Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continues with live racing several days each week through December 31, 2021.
(Cumberland)