Cumberland, ME — Fresh off his 2,000th career victory, Mike Stevenson notched another win with his own That’s Some Plan to take Friday’s (April 22) $8,000 final of Cumberland Raceway’s Kick-Off Late-Closing Series #1.

Mike Stevenson took the first of three Kick-Off late-closing series with his own That’s Some Plan. Stephanie Gray photo.

Scoring from pylon position, Stevenson got away in the cat bird seat after a flurry of activity at the start. Favorite Librado Hanover (Aaron Hall) cut the mile, posting a swift :28.1 opening panel, after Seafood King (Drew Campbell) made a costly break in the first turn. Getting a perfect trip into a :58.3 half, as the field went up the backside for the final time, Stevenson tipped the 11-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere out of the two-hole and blasted to the front. Following a 1:28.2 third quarter, and gaining three lengths on the field by the top of the turn, Stevenson cruised to a six-length victory in 1:59.4. Northview Punter N (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Librado Hanover hung on to be third.

Mike Stevenson trains That’s Some Plan, who paid $9.60 to win and picked up his 28th career victory, for owner Robert MacNeil.

Two Open Trots also highlighted the afternoon of southern Maine harness racing.

The $6,000 Open II-III Trot was captured by Caulfield (Kevin Switzer Jr.), who outlasted a late-closing Broadway Giant (Ranger) to prevail in his second of three seasonal starts by a neck in 2:02.1. The 10-year-old son of Kadabra is trained by Bob Marston for owner George Tzikas. Little Macabee (Hall) finished third.

Caulfield, who paid $4.40, recorded the 31st victory of his career.

Warrawee Preferred (Matt Athearn) went wire-to-wire in the $5,500 Open III-IV Trot for his new owner-trainer Ryan Berry. The 11-year-old son of Federal Flex scored his sixth seasonal victory in 2:00.2, having emigrated from Monticello Raceway two weeks ago. Thruway (Nick Graffam) finished second; And Up We Go (Walter Case Jr.) was third.

Warrawee Preferred paid $5.80 for his 57th career win.

Saturday’s (April 23) card features two more Kick-Off late-closing series finals, with Series #2 (race seven) going for $10,000, and the top purse of $12,000 offered in Series #3 (race nine), along with a host of competitive Open Pace events. The finale (race 11) features the new 20-cent Hi-5 with a low takeout of 16 percent.

Post time for the spring/summer meet is set for 3 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays, with the extended pari-mutuel meet offering racing each weekend through July 23.

More information can be found at the track’s website.