Cumberland, ME — Dan Deslandes won the opener at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (May 21), a $5,200 pace with Bo Master in 1:57, but a final tally of the day’s events saw Matt Athearn and Drew Campbell work into a three-way tie with Deslandes for the top position.

Deslandes moved Bo Master right to the front, a place where he is very comfortable, and pushed through fractions of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:27.2 to hold on for a half-length victory over Ry’s Red Rocket (Athearn). Velocity Sub Z finished third. The 8-year-old son of Sportsmaster is also trained by Deslandes for owner Reggie Duguay. Bo Master paid $3.80 to win.

Dan Deslandes scored in the opener with Bo Master to retain his top billing in the Cumberland drivers’ standings. Stephanie Gray photo.

From that point in the day, it was anyone’s guess as to who may emerge at the top of the Cumberland drivers’ colony. The day before, four drivers had moved to within one victory of Deslandes, who ended Friday with 16 wins on the meet. Athearn, Campbell, Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. were all tied for second place with 15 wins apiece.

As luck would have it, Athearn won the second race with his own Beammeupscottie, and paid $3.80. The next two races were won by driver Nick Graffam, steering Ira Chief ($13.20) and Sixby Hanover ($5.40), both trained by Mike Graffam.

Then Drew Campbell got into the mix, scoring with Canbec Kingkazimir in 1:56.1. Trained by Chris Lefebvre, the 12-year-old son of Jereme’s Jet paid $4.40 to win for owner Michelle Lefebvre. Campbell came back to win the ninth race with Rock N Blue by a neck for trainer Chris Lefebvre. He paid $5.20 to win for owner Ralph Silvestri III.

The finale was captured by Matt Athearn and Dancin Hill. Owned and trained by Ryan Berry with Todd Whitney, the 11-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover paid $4.20 to win.

The final outcome led to Athearn, Campbell and Deslandes finishing the weekend with 17 seasonal victories each, sharing the top of the heap. Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. are tied for fourth with 15 wins apiece.

Racing resumes on Friday (May 27) at Cumberland. Post time for the spring-summer meet, which offers racing each weekend through July 23, is 4 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays. More information can be found on the Cumberland Raceway website.