Cumberland, ME — Leading conditioner Michelle Lefebvre sends Party At Seven into the $6,400 featured overnight race on Friday’s (July 17) 13-race card at Cumberland Raceway, looking for his second consecutive victory. The full program also carries two divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotters.
On July 10, Party At Seven won his first start over the iconic southern Maine oval, scoring in 1:58.4. Previously, the 6-year-old son of Chapter Seven had been racing at Monticello for owner Ralph Silvestri. Now in the Lefebvre barn for his third start, and leaving from pylon position, the winner of $115,680 lifetime has been installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite in race 7.
Also looking for another trip to the winner’s circle is TCS Brenda, who won her last start in wire-to-wire fashion from post 8. Listed at 2-1 from post three and getting the return services of Dave Ingraham, the 5-year-old daughter of Triumphant Caviar has been in the Eric Bickmore stable since mid-June.
Local favorites Brutalizer (7-2, Andy Harrington) and Jax Spratt (5-1, Aaron Hall) round out the top contenders.
However, some horses need a start or two to see what they are really made of. That’s where this next group of horses align. The Pine Tree State-bred 2-year-old trotters are in town and will be making their first purse starts. Many had taken advantage of the baby races held at Cumberland over the month, with several who had taken qualifying marks in those preliminary events.
The $14,000 first division is an early non-wagering race (noon) with three 2-year-old trotting fillies getting their first taste of stakes competition. Ingraham drives a Cantab Fashion filly, with Gary Hall and Heath Campbell each steering a daughter of To The Hilt.
The $15,210 second division, for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings, features a full field of six and is slated as race 9. Several of the youngsters are related to former Maine stars, including: 3-1 co-favorite Pembroke Zagursky (post 2, Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin), a full brother to Pembroke Breeze 4,1:58h ($211,975); Pembroke Savannah (post 4, Dave Ingraham-Valerie Grondin), a full brother to Pembroke Lady 3,2:04.2h ($111,761); and Come On Charlie (post 5, Mark Athearn-Gretchen Athern), the first foal from a half sister to Likeabatoutahell 1:51.3 ($1,035,643).
Cumberland Raceway has partnered with Harness Elite, a team of professional horseplayers, data analysts and influential members of the harness racing community that provide bettors with advanced tools and handicapping, as well as promote the sport through their platform. For more information about their Track of the Day for Friday (July 17), click here.
Continue to follow Harness Elite’s Track of the Day here.
Racing continues on Saturday (July 18) in keeping with the track’s Friday-Saturday schedule. Next week, First Tracks Cumberland will offer a three-day run from July 24-26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet. Next Saturday (July 25), bettors will be able to watch and wager on the entire card from The Meadows, featuring the 60th renewal of the Delvin Miller Adios Stakes. First post on that card from Washington, Pa., will be 11:30 a.m.
First post is 12:15 p.m. (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 2. A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting the Cumberland website.