Cumberland, ME — Heavy favorite Party At Seven made quick work of the $6,400 featured overnight race on Friday’s (July 17) 13-race card at Cumberland Raceway, along with two $15,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotters anointing two fresh-faced winners.
When the wings folded for the seventh race NW5000 Trot, Party At Seven (4-5, Nick Graffam) ducked in the two hole as TCS Brenda (9-2, Dave Ingraham) blasted out for an early lead. Less than two furlongs had elapsed when Graffam tipped the public’s choice out to take command into a :28.3 opening panel.
Under single file alignment the field breezed past the half in :58.3 with Party At Seven leading the charge, TCS Brenda in a loose pocket second, and Brutalizer (7-2, Andy Harrington) trotting in third. With Party At Seven on top by three heading down the backstretch the final time, Harrington pulled the right line on Brutalizer to improve his position. The field hit the third station in 1:27.4 and rounded the turn for home with Brutalizer still parked, but now second.
Party At Seven had all but decided the race at the head of the stretch while on top by four, and looking for more. However, the battle was still raging on for second with TCS Brenda on the inside and fighting back against the ongoing attack of Brutalizer. At the finish line Party At Seven tripped the timer in 1:57.2, just one tick off the track record for an aged gelding trotter.
Trained by Michelle Lefebvre for owner Ralph Silvestri, the 6-year-old son of Chapter Seven returned $2.80 for the 6-1/2-length triumph. Party At Seven was bred by Spring Haven Farm and now has 12 wins lifetime, with six coming this season, while increasing his lifetime earnings to $118,880.
TCS Brenda tussled back to retake second; Brutalizer was third.
Young trotters making their debut in the Maine Sire Stakes were also on the program, with the first $14,000 division slated as an early non-wagering race. That 2-year-old filly trot was captured by Princess Caledonia in 2:09.4. The daughter of To The Hilt is trained, driven and co-owned by Gary Hall with partners James Kelley Jr., Betsey Kelley and Kristina Hall. She was bred in Maine by Anita Anastosopolous.
Mikella Bella (Heath Campbell) finished second; Cape Cod Friday (Dave Ingraham) was third.
The second $15,210 division for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings belonged to U Know I Know and Kenneth Watson, who steered the son of Whataworkout to a two-length victory in 2:07.3. Owned and bred by Barbara Lawson, he returned $8 for trainer Lisa Watson.
Come On Charlie (Mark Athearn) was parked the entire first half and finished second; Race Me Bruno (Wally Watson) was third.
For each of these youngsters, it was their first lifetime purse start.
Nick Graffam led all drivers on the program with three trips to the winners circle.
We were pleased to partner with Harness Elite, as their Track of the Day. Continue to follow Harness Elite at: https://www.harnesselite.com/track-of-the-day.
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 Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet. Saturday (July 25) bettors will be able 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 August 2.