Two $9,690 divisions of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes (MSBS) for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings highlight the Wednesday (July 28) card at Cumberland, which hosts a full card of 12 races — six of which are complete eight-horse fields, including three events with 20-cent superfectas.
First Tracks Cumberland also welcomes the Varney Insurance Company as part of their corporate sponsorship 'Day at the Track' events.
The first MSBS $9,690 division marks the return of the freshmen to the fairgrounds from their first leg on July 20. The first race goes post ward at 2:30 p.m. (EDT), featuring a Marc Tardiff-trained entry with two sons of popular Pine Tree State pacing sire Western Maverick.
Scoring from post-position 3 and assigned head-number 1 is Deal With It Roman. The two-year-old gelding is owned, trained and was bred by Marc Tardif. He won his first start in 2:02.3, which was his last outing, and gets the return services of Kevin Switzer Jr. in the bike. The second half of the entry, Mixedwithatwist, drew post 4, is listed as betting interest 1A and will be driven by Andrew Harrington. This colt is owned and was bred by Leighton Property. The entry is listed at 2-1 by the trackman morning line odds maker.
Not to be discounted is the Charlene “Sherry” Cushing-trained gelding Salmon Bucky. The son of Western Maverick was second in his last outing and gets regular driver Steve Wilson. Scoring from post 6, Salmon Bucky is the home-bred property of David Zuckerman.
Taking his first road test is the Valerie Grondin pupil Use Yah Blinkah. Owned and bred by Thibault, Vacca, Nowak Jr. & Hardy, the gelded son of Western Maverick leaves from post 5 with Heath Campbell doing the steering.
The second MSBS $9,690 division is carded as race three and carries another Marc Tardif-trained entry. Stormin Maverick drew pylon position and was also given betting No. 1. The two-year-old son of Western Maverick will be driven by Kevin Switzer Jr for owner/breeder Leighton Property. His stable mate is the Gaelic Thunder colt Storm Artist, listed as 1A. He scores from post 6 with driver Andy Harrington. The entry has been placed at 7-2.
The trackman has picked off the entry for this division and installed Ranaldi (post 2) as the 2-1 morning-line favourite. Owned, bred and driven by Ron Cushing for trainer Heidi Gibbs, the gelded son of Western Maverick won his first start at Cumberland in a division-fastest 2:01.4.
Second choice is the Gretchen Athearn-trained Pas Black Magic (post 3, 3-1), who finished second in his debut, but posted a :30 final quarter. Driven by Matt “Ice” Athearn, the black son of Western Maverick looks to cast his spell on the competition.
Live harness racing from Cumberland next Saturday through July 31, regular post time is 2:30 p.m. (EDT), with two additional dates added Wednesday & Thursday, Aug. 4 & 5 with 11 a.m. (EDT) posts. For more information, visit FirstTracksCumberland.com.
(First Tracks Cumberland)