Cumberland, ME — Andy Harrington sent Brutalizer right to the front in the $5,500 top trot on Saturday (Nov. 29) at First Tracks Cumberland, and never looked back.
Making his fourth start for his new connections trainer Sara Harrington and owner Kyle Gibbs, the 4-year-old son of Alarm Detector spent most of the last few years racing in the state of Delaware. Recently, he settled for place and show positions over his acclimation period, but burst out of his harness to take the day’s feature.
As the gate sprung To My Credit (3-1, Mike Stevenson) made an uncharacteristic miscue from the rim and took back to last, while Inquiring Mind (2-1, Steve Wilson) stretched the 6/5 favorite Brutalizer to a sharp :29 opening panel. Harrington softened the tempo and took the field down to a 1:00.1 mid-way point, with the pack following along in single file formation.
Kevin Switzer Jr. pulled Little Macabee (9-1) first over from fourth position, with To My Credit having regained his composure following the cover second over. The pacesetter used the opportunity to put some distance on the challengers, hitting the third panel in 1:30.2 and gaining ground with every stride.
Down the stretch it was a race for second as Brutalizer had five lengths on the field and could not be caught. To My Credit swung wide to grab second, Storm Bringer (7-1, Aaron Hall) was third.
Brutalizer returned $4.40 for the mile in 2:01.1, picking up his ninth lifetime victory, and seventh of the season. His seasonal total reached $70,569.
In other news, everyone’s favorite octogenarian Bob Nadeau found the winner’s circle with his own Azariya. Scoring from pylon position, the 87-years-young teamster made every call a winning one, tripping the timer in 2:00.1. The 5-year-old daughter of Lazarus is also owned and trained by the iron-tough cement salesman, and she returned $26.20 as an added bonus. The exacta paid $33.00 with 28-year-old Jason Bertolini’s On Line finishing second by a neck. The age differential on the passionate owner-trainer-drivers is plus-59.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. grabbed four wins on the card, with Chris Long, a recent addition to the drivers colony, picking up a pair of victories on the post-Thanksgiving program.
Horsemen are reminded to check the new condition sheet and our website for a host of exciting Winter Pop-Up Series for the month of December. Boasting up to $179,000 in purses, the races have increased prizes, as well as consolations and finals, for the six different events available.
Racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 30) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card.
The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 highlights the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the finale—all with low 16% takeouts.
Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing next week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning December 5. The Au Revoir Retirement ceremonies are slated for Saturday, Dec. 20. Entries close Wednesday (Dec. 3).
The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21, 2025. Post time remains 10:55 am.
For more information go to our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/
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