Cumberland, ME — Leading conditioner Benson Merrill is also establishing himself as a powerful force on the amateur circuit, winning both Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) races on Monday (Dec. 13) at Cumberland.

The Saturday (Dec. 11) card was postponed due to weather conditions, pushing the program ahead a few days when the track was in great shape for the vast majority of the day, which saw the first five races pace in 1:58.2 or faster.

Driver/trainer Benson Merrill took the first of two Maine Amateur Drivers Club races with River Runs Deep. Stephanie Gray photo.

The first $4,000 MADC ‘Group B’ witnessed Mighty American N charging out for the lead under heavy urging from Karl Butterfield. Jason Bertolini ducked in the two-hole with Led Schneppelin with Benson Merrill and River Runs Deep sitting third into a :28.2 first quarter. Zackary Gray was the first to move first-over with Drain Daddy into a :59.4 half, but his burst of energy quickly evaporated forcing Led Schneppelin (Bertolini) to pull, followed by River Runs Deep (Merrill) past the three quarters in 1:29.1.

By the head of the stretch Merrill had the 10-year-old son of Riverboat King poised to pounce, and down the stretch they cruised to a 3-1/4 length score in 2:00.2. River Runs Deep is owned by Apolonio Garcia, trained by Merrill and paid $10.20 to win. Led Schneppelin hung tough to be second; Mighty American N was third.

In the ‘Group C’ second $3,500 MADC event, Benson Merrill picked up a textbook two-hole trip with wagering favorite Bettor Attitude behind the pacesetting Librado Hanover (Ryan Hall) to take the finale. Sensing the leader tiring down the backstretch to the three-quarter pole, Merrill pulled Bettor Attitude and took the lead heading into the final turn. Dakota Jackson challenged mightily with Milliondollardad down the home stretch, but came up second best. Air Force Grad (Bertolini) got up for third.

Trained by Merrill and owned by Garcia, the 3-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight paid $4.00 to win.

As always, the Maine Amateur Driving Club is sponsored by the nice folks at the North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feed Store and the Windham Blue Seal Feed Store, with leadership and support from Aimee Nichols, their dedicated territory sales manager.

Dan Deslandes had three wins on the program, including winning the featured $6,000 Open I with Deetzy in 1:56.4. Trained by Karl Butterfield for owner Jose Cerventes, the 9-year-old son of Jereme’s Jet paid $18.00 to win. The three-peat gave Deslandes 54 victories on the season at Cumberland, which puts him in third place in the driver standings behind Drew Campbell who leads with 64 and Bruce Ranger with 63.

Racing continues Tuesday (Dec. 14) and Wednesday (Dec. 15), with post time for both dates remaining 11 a.m.

The First Tracks Cumberland Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continues with live harness racing several days each week through Dec. 31, which is also the date of our special retirement ceremonies for 14-year-old Standardbred horses. For more information, go to our website at firsttrackscumberland.com.