Cumberland, ME — Walter Case Jr. drove Hoosier Shark to a front-end victory in First Tracks Cumberland’s $5,500 feature on Sunday (Nov. 3), winning in 1:57.2 by a half-length, while Drew Campbell pushed his weekend win total to nine.
Leaving from post three, Case never saw the back of a helmet as he breezed through opening fractions of :27.3 and :59 before being challenged first over by Ranaldi into a 1:27.1 third panel.
Around the final turn Campbell pulled Airspinder three-wide on the outside, while pocket-sitting Denver Seelster (Nick Graffam) ducked up the inside as the field straightened out for home. Down the stretch Hoosier Shark was desperately looking for the finish wire as the swarm of would-be upsetters had him surrounded.
Hoosier Shark held his foes at bay for trainer Chris Lefebvre and owner Lonnie Lefebvre, as the 6-year-old son of Tellitlikeitis was the 9-5 second choice on the board behind the even-money favorite Ranaldi (Kevin Switzer Jr.). He paid $5.80 to win. Denver Seelster finished second and Airspinder was third.
In other action, Campbell picked right up where he left off at Cumberland’s Winter Festival opener, winning four more races on Sunday, which gave the veteran driver nine scores over the 20-race weekend.
Once again, Campbell started the day off with a victory in the opener, steering Miki De Vie to a seven length romp in 1:58.1, a seasonal best. Owned by MLefebvre Racing and trained by Lefebvre, the 4-year-old son of Always B Miki picked up his third win of the year, paying $5.20, and giving the connections a training double.
Campbell hit the daily double with Rose Run Slider in a wire-to-wire rout for trainer Mark Harris and owner Gayle Harris. Tripping the timer in 1:58.2, the 10-year-old son of Western Ideal got his seventh score of the season and paid $2.60.
Power Master gave Campbell his third win on the card, and blew up the toteboard in the process. With heavy 1-9 favorite Lord Magnetic making a break behind the gate, Campbell let 38-1 longshot JK Lucky Charm (Case) cut the fractions from post eight. Tipping past the third stanza, Power Master at 80-1 rolled past the pacesetter and scored by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:59.2. Trained by Christopher Dubois for owner Robert Kluchevitz, the 3-year-old son of Shadow Play acquired his fifth win of the year, paying a whopping $163.60 on a two-dollar ticket.
Campbell got his fourth win of the early afternoon with Axion Hanover, winning in a gritty, rim-rolling fashion by a length in 1:58.2.
Campbell is now just 30 wins away from the 6,000 victory threshold.
Racing resumes next Saturday (Nov. 9) and will feature the Leigh Fitch Memorial, and a $605 carryover in the Pick-5. The live action continues on Sunday (Nov. 10). The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22 and post time is always 10:55 a.m. For more information go to our website at firsttrackscumberland.com.