First Tracks Cumberland welcomes three $10,000 (est.) fourth-leg divisions of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes (MSBS) for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Saturday (July 10).
The 2-1 morning line favourite in the opener is Edelman, a Western Maverick gelding who is looking for his fourth seasonal victory, having snapped a win streak in his last outing by finishing second. With sire stakes wins at both Bangor and Cumberland, the Heidi Gibbs-trained sophomore scores from post two with regular driver, breeder and co-owner Ron Cushing. The second leading point earner in the series, Edelman is also co-owned by Kevin Sywyk.
Edelman will surely get tested by Paxxton, another son of Western Maverick who is undoubtedly tired of finishing second. Driven by Heath Campbell, he is co-owned by trainer Valerie Grondin and Rhoda Underhill, and is 5-2 from post five.
In the second division (race three), the 2-1 favourite from post one is A Sweet Bidda Luck. Trained by Heidi Gibbs and owned by Philip Scott McKenzie, A Sweet Bidda Luck is also by Western Maverick and will by driven by Ron Cushing.
‘Lucky’ will have to contend with Whatawinwillie (5-2), a horse with an outside post (six) and more than an outside chance. Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. and trained and owned by Marc Tardif, the son of Western Maverick already has two wins in the MSBS at Cumberland and is just a half point out of second place in the standings. Hollywood Skeeter (3-1) will look to steal the show from post five for owner-trainer Mike Graffam and driver Nick Graffam.
Saving the best for last, series point leader Call Me Maverick drew the rail in the third division and was installed as the 2-1 favourite. Another successful son of Western Maverick, the Upland Farms homebred is trained by Gordon Corey and has won his last two MSBS races at his home track. Mike Stevenson is at the controls.
American Maverick (5-2, post three) is yet another three-year-old son of top Maine pacing stallion Western Maverick, and one that will be eager to put the rest of the field to the test. Trained by Mark Tardif and driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., American Maverick won his last MSBS outing from the same spot and looks to repeat. He was bred by Leslie Leighton and is now owned by Leighton Property.
The so-called ‘glamour boys’ division is the fourth leg of the 13-race series, which travels to the two commercial tracks as well as the Maine pari-mutuel fair circuit, culminating in an $80,000 added final on Oct. 16 at Bangor.
Week seven of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) series, sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds, heats up as there are just two more chances for drivers to earn points toward the $7,500 final on July 24.
A full field of seven vying for a $3,800 purse in race 11 has a well-matched group of sidewinders, with some new horses driven by several familiar faces. The 5-2 morning line favourite is Ageless Grace (post 3), who is trained and driven by Chris Lefebvre. A four-year-old mare by Well Said, she has but one start in the Pine Tree State after relocating from New York.
Also making a debut in the MADC is Major Plans (3-1, post 4), an eight-year-old son of Art Major who will be driven by Todd Whitney. Major Plans has two wins in last three starts. David Crochere brings his own Rambling Jet (4-1, post 2) into the race, looking for his first MADC win of the season. Reinsman Joe Burke puts his two-win streak to the test with Meetmeatthedance (4-1, post 6), who has not fared so well recently against lesser company.
Returning, once again, to Cumberland to make the presentations to the winning amateur connections is Melanie Locke, store manager for both the local Blue Seal feed stores and presenting the ‘swag bucket’ trophies of stable supplies on behalf of the Windham and North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feed stores.
The top trot of the day also sees a newcomer, along with some familiar faces, returning to Cumberland to pick up some of the $6,500 purse. Northern Skyway (Drew Campbell, post 6) has been installed as the slight 5-2 choice over fan favourite Cherry Crown Jewel (Matt Athearn, post 5) at 3-1. The big Bruizn (Andy Harrington) can leave like a runner and beat this bunch last start, but has earned the outside post seven. Try Try Again (Heath Campbell, post 2) will try, try again to win, win again, coming off a victory in his last start at Bangor.
The Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association (MHHA), in collaboration with Love To Race author Amber Sawyer, will give a signed copy of the children’s book to the first 20 kids under 12 who attend the live harness racing at Cumberland on Saturday. In anticipation of a large crowd, First Tracks Cumberland CEO Mike Cianchette has matched the book sponsorship and will provide an additional 20 copies to young people attending the day’s events.
Live harness racing from Cumberland is presented each Tuesday and Saturday through July 31 at 2:30 p.m., and Aug. 4 and 5 at 11 a.m. For more information, go to firsttrackscumberland.com.
(First Tracks Cumberland)