Cumberland, ME — Zach Vickerson took the overland route to victory when he guided his own Big Al M to a thrilling three-quarter length victory in the $6,000 featured trot on Friday (May 2) at Cumberland Raceway.
Scoring from post four, the 7-year-old son of Anders Bluestone was off the car when the wings folded and floated into fifth position at the start, with 16-1 longshot To My Credit on the engine and taking point for driver Dave Ingraham. Around the first turn Jax Spratt (4-1, Aaron Hall) settled for second with Little Macabee (13-1, Drew Campbell) grabbing the three hole.
The field was stretched out into a snappy :29 opening panel, but started to tighten up at the 1:00 half with the 4-5 choice Big Al M tipping to the outside. Just before the five-eighths pole the favorite picked up the first over cover of Little Macabee. Sensing some hesitation with his cover, Vickerson pulled three-wide at the 1:29.4 third stanza and began his ascent to the top.
Track announcer Mike Cushing exclaimed, “Double-digit Dave is trying to go the distance,”
but Big Al M was full of trot and continued his outside momentum through the turn and down the stretch. To My Credit had led every step of the way and was valiantly fighting off the late charge of both Jax Spratt and Big Al M, who ultimately prevailed in 2:00.3. To My Credit held on for second and Jax Spratt was third. The mutuels resulted in a $398 carryover for Saturday’s Pick-5.
Owned, trained and driven by Vickerson, it was the 23rd victory of the trotter’s career, but first of the season. His lifetime earnings increased to $476,665, and he paid $3.60 to win.
Drivers Drew Campbell and Walter Case Jr. each picked up two wins on the Friday program, along with conditioner Bob Marston who harnessed a pair of winners.
The track sends additional congratulations to trainer Jamie Gerard who grabbed three wins on last Friday’s program en route to securing the 1,000 career win plateau.
Racing at Cumberland continues on Saturday (May 3), and with horse racing’s Kentucky Derby taking center stage in the national spotlight this weekend, Cumberland Raceway will offer coverage of the biggest day on the Thoroughbred Triple Crown calendar.
Fans and bettors can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Saturday’s 151st Run for the Roses. Doors open at noon for the full-card simulcast of horse racing’s premier event, with a host of food and beverage options available all day at the iconic Cumberland Fairgrounds.
First Tracks’ full card of live harness racing starts at 3:15 p.m. with ten races slated. Both harness and Thoroughbred programs will be available.
Exotic wagers start with Cumberland’s Pick-5 in the third race, and continues with the Pick-4 and Pick-3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with the High-Five Pentafecta in the final race — all with low 16% takeout rates.
First Track’s Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post is slated for 3:15 p.m. (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 2.