Team Cushing wins Maine’s Family Feud at Cumberland Fair

Cumberland, ME — Team Cushing, consisting of veteran reinsman Ron Cushing and his sister-in-law Charlene Cushing, scored a one-point victory over Team Nason/Harrington to win Maine’s Family Feud at First Tracks Cumberland Fair on Saturday (Oct. 2).

The point system had drivers with only one drive would have their point total multiplied times two while drivers with two drives would have the score from both drives added together. Andy Harrington recorded wins in race two (J-S For Justice) and race six (River Rums Deep) while teammate stepdad John Nason finished third in his only drive in race four with Runaway Girl. The combination added up to 16 points and one shy of the 17 points garnered by Team Cushing.

Charlene “Sherry” Cushing won her division of the Maine Family Feud. Stephanie Gray photo.

Charlene “Sherry” Cushing, in her only drive in race four with Daughtry Hanover, battled a stubborn Bettor Reason N and Kelly Case, every step of the mile. Case, with Better Reason N, managed to finish second after a scorching trip that saw her never seeing the rail. Charlene’s partner Ron Cushing had a third-place finish in race one, the Maine Breeders Stakes event with Mach Royal, and a second-place finish with Through The Fence in race six.

Dave Ingraham piloted the winner of the swiftest race of the day, steering Rocksapatriot to half-length victory over Alex Having Fun (Drew Campbell) in the $7,500 Free for All Pace.

Tipping three-wide down the backside, Ingraham guided the 6-year-old son of Rockincam to a 1:54.3 score, his seventh of the season.

Heath Campbell and Andy Harrington both picked up driving doubles, and conditioner Benson Merrill harnessed two winners.

The lone $16,322 Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake was captured by Sweet Baby G in 2:01. The 2-year-old daughter of Baron Biltmore was driven by Shawn Thayer for trainer Fred Ward Jr. who also owns and bred the filly with his wife Sharon.

The final day of harness racing at the First Tracks Cumberland Fair is Sunday (Oct. 3), featuring two divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club, as well as three rich finals of the Cumberland Fair’s late closers with a top purse of $12,000.

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning Nov. 3 and racing through Dec. 31. Post time will be at 11 a.m. For more information go to our website at firsttrackscumberland.com or follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.

Back to Top

Share via