Cumberland, ME – This week’s battle of Maine’s top trotters did not disappoint as Brutalizer renewed his year-long battle with Big Al M and emerged the victor on Friday (May 1) at First Tracks Cumberland.
When the field sprang from the starting car several leavers pushed aggressively into the first turn. Brutalizer (4, Andy Harrington) had both Jax Spratt (5, Aaron Hall) and Big Al M (6, Zach Vickerson) at his wheels around the first turn, with Jax Spratt eventually dropping back into the pocket down the backside, forcing Big Al M to forge on to the top and set a taxing :28.3 opening panel.
When the dust settled, Big Al M (3-1) reduced the tempo into a :58.4 half with the 3-5 favorite Brutalizer sitting in a tight pocket and Jax Spratt (4-1) in third. Down the backstretch for the final time, Hunter Lofthus tipped Amalie Hanover from sixth and flushed the cover of High Gear No Fear (Nick Graffam), who now led the charge first over from fourth. But the leaders kept up their rigorous pursuit as Big Al M reached the third station in 1:28.4, with Brutalizer stalking and ready to pounce.
At the apex of the final turn, Harrington tipped his charge to the outside and began the assault on his nemesis, gaining ground with every stride. Big Al M fought gamely right down to the wire, with Brutalizer prevailing over Big Al M by a quarter length in 2:00.1, a new seasonal mark.
Trained by Sara Harrington for owner Kyle Gibbs, the 5-year-old son of Alarm Detector picked up his second win in five seasonal starts. A model of consistency, the horse has not been worse than third all year, earning $10,940 in just a handful of outings. He returned $3.40 for the win.
Jax Spratt maintained his position for the show dough.
Both Harrington and Mike Stevenson enjoyed driving doubles on the afternoon card.
Racing resumes on Saturday (May 2), which also known as ‘Kentucky Derby Day’ when Cumberland Raceway hosts its own $7,000 ‘Derby’ that covers the iconic one and a quarter mile distance for a speedy set of local pacers.
Slated as race eight in a 12-event card, the track offers a special first post time of 2:45 p.m.
Fans and bettors can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, including Saturday’s 152nd Run for the Roses. Doors open at noon for the full-card simulcast of horse racing’s biggest event, with a host of food and beverage options available all day at First Tracks Cumberland.
Friday-Saturday racing at First Tracks Cumberland runs throughout the month of May. After which, the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the month of June.
The extended pari-mutuel meeting runs through August 2.
A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:
https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/.