Cumberland, ME — The warmth of the sun was shining down upon the horses and fans for the opening day of Cumberland’s Winter Festival on Wednesday (Nov. 3) where a full card of 10 races enjoyed robust wagering and competitive harness racing.

Mr Blissfull and Aaron Hall took the opener at Cumberland. Stephanie Gray photo.

The $4,500 opener and co-feature was won by Mr Blissfull and driver Aaron Hall in 1:58.4. Scoring from post two, Hall moved the 9-year-old son of Blissfull Hall right to the top and never looked back. Trained by Aaron’s father Craig Hall and owned by Robert Ferreira, Mr Blissfull picked up his fifth victory of the season and 31st of his career; he is quickly approaching $250,000 in lifetime earnings.

Blue Seal Feeds sales representative Aimee Nichols cheerfully made the presentation to the winning connections. Mr Blissfull paid 2.60 to win. So It Goes (Matt Athearn) finished second with Tail Hook (Wallace Watson) getting up for third.

The fourth race, second leg of the co-feature, went to Daliocity and driver Andy Harrington. Demonstrating that the front-end bias held strong through today’s card, Harrington sent the 7-year-old son of Dali out to the lead as soon as the wings folded, and continue to hold command of the tempo and the field. Tripping the timer in 1:57.3, Daliocity picked up his seventh win of the season for owner and trainer Sara Gibbs.

Daliocity paid $24.20 to win. Sanattle Slew (Dan Deslandes) finished second and provided for an $80.90 exacta. Through The Fence (Hall) was third and resulted in a $492.30 trifecta.

Matt Athearn and Bruce Ranger both enjoyed driving doubles on today’s card, with total handle exceeding $70,000.

Another popular ‘Business Day at the Track’ was sponsored by Key Bank and Landry French Construction with guests enjoying great food and refreshments on the track’s expansive apron.

Be sure to join us on Saturday (Nov. 6) at the Trackside Pub to benefit ‘Futures for Standardbreds,’ with Round Up, Donations, and Raffles during the races, with giveaways throughout the event. Visit Blue Seal Feeds and Futures for Standardbreds in the pub, which is hosted by the Trackside Pub and First Tracks Cumberland.

Every card in the upcoming schedule boasts a $3,000 guaranteed Pick-5, which begins with the first race, and free past performances are available through the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program.

Racing continues at First Tracks Cumberland for our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting featuring back-to-back cards on Tuesday and Wednesday (Nov. 9 and 10) and continues weekly through Dec. 31.

For more information go to our website at firsttrackscumberland.com or follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.