Cumberland, ME — Sheriff N did not allow his outside post to thwart his pursuit for pay dirt as he took matters into his own hands and captured the fastest of two $7,500 divisions of the Portland Pacing Series on Saturday (June 21) at Cumberland Raceway.
Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., the 11-year-old son of super sire Bettor’s Delight “lit ‘em up” when the starting car pulled away and proceeded to make every call a winning one. After reaching the quarter in a snappy :27.4 and the half in a more pedestrian :58.3, it was clear that Sheriff N (8-1) was going to have things his own way.
While maintaining a comfortable margin on the lead with just Forrest Blu (2-1, Aaron Hall) in first-over chase and favorite Dinner Party (4-5, Drew Campbell) poised in the pocket, Switzer let out a notch past the 1:27.1 third panel. Popping the deuce around the final turn, the public’s choice made a valiant effort to catch the pacesetter.
The pair paced stride for stride down to the wire, with Sheriff N capturing the win by a half length over Dinner Party in 1:56.2, a new seasonal best. Forrest Blu finished third.
It was Sheriff N’s third win in a row and seventh of the season with $21,180 earned for owner-trainer Zach Vickerson. He paid $19.40 to win.
In the second $7,500 Portland split, Always At My Place showed that the front end was holding up on the sunny afternoon program, scoring by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:56.3. Long Weekend A (4-1, McGwire Sowers) finished second; Deal With It Roman (31-1, Dave Ingraham) was third.
Driven by Bruce Ranger for owner-trainer Scott Vickerson, the 14-year-old son of Always A Virgin grabbed his fourth win of the season and 71st of his lengthy career which puts his lifetime bankroll at $1,135,535. He paid $9.80 to win.
Driver Walter Case Jr. enjoyed three wins on the program, and Aaron Hall grabbed a pair. Trainer Benson Merrill harnessed a pair of winners.
After 22 racing dates at the current Cumberland Spring/Summer meet, McGwire Sowers leads all drivers with 38 victories followed by Drew Campbell (29), Nick Graffam (22), Switzer (20), and a tie for fifth between Aaron Hall and Case with 19 apiece.
Autym Sowers is the leading trainer with 26 wins followed by Benson Merrill with 22 victories.
Live video and replays can be found on the track’s website.
Racing at First Tracks Cumberland continues throughout the early summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post is 3:15 p.m. (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 2.