Cumberland, ME – Maine’s sophomore trotters rolled through their penultimate leg of Pine Tree State-bred action on Friday (Sept 26) at the Cumberland Fair, while the track gears up for Saturday’s (Sept. 27) $340,000-plus Freshmen Finals.
In the first $17,476 division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings heavy favorite Liberty’s Wildcard was placed in the pocket by leading reinsmen Kevin Switzer Jr., allowing freshman champ Whatawonder roll on to take command by Ken Watson.
As the son of Whataworkout took the field through opening panels of :31.1 and 1:03.2, the favorite held a loose pocket until the 1:32.2 third station where Switzer let his trotter loose and brushed past the pacesetter to score by 2-1/4 lengths in 2:04.3.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, the son of Noble Venture has won his last four starts and 10 of 11 this year. He was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr. and paid $2.40 as the 1-5 favorite.
Enchanted Prince (Andy Harrington) finished third.
In the second $17,722 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies, it was the divisional star Barbella that cruised to any easy victory in 2:05. Making every call a winning one, the daughter of Whataworkout had nary an anxious moment as catch driver Kevin Switzer Jr. posted a three-length score.
Trained by Ken Anderson for owner Bob Kakian, it was the sixth win in a row for the accomplished distaff. She was bred by the late Mike Andrew and paid $2.80 to win.
Little Shot (Ivan Davies) finished second; Twisted Fate (Mike Cushing) was third.
Four $85,000-plus Finals of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotters and pacers will go postward on the Saturday (Sept. 27) afternoon card at noon at the Cumberland Fairgrounds.
In the first $85,591 division for freshmen trotting colts and geldings, the 9-5 favorite Wilder N Idy has seven wins on the season for trainer Gretchen Athearn.
In the $85,908 split for frosh trotting fillies, the 9-5 favorite Pembroke Lady brings her seven victories to the table for trainer Valerie Grondin.
For the $85,947 pacing filly final, trainer Marc Tardif sends the undefeated Snowonthepines into the full eight-horse field as the 8-5 favorite.
Finally, the Real Horrorshow leads the full field in the $85,947 male pacers division, putting his unblemished eight-race win streak on the line for trainer Kevin Switzer Sr.
Another full card is scheduled for the final racing date of Sunday (Sept. 28).
Exotic wagers start with Cumberland’s Pick-5 in the third race, and continues with our Pick-4 and Pick-3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with a High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.
First Tracks will also host the popular Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win $500 in total cash prizes based on their picks and the official order of finish in the designated race.
After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins Nov. 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through Dec. 21. The annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.
For additional information, visit the track website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or on social media at Log in or sign up to view.