Cumberland, ME – Racing resumes at the iconic Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (Nov. 8) for the first of 15 Southern Maine racing dates, knows as the “Winter Festival,” with some of the Pine Tree State’s top trotters and pacers kicking off the 12-race card.
The $6,400 featured conditioned trot pits J S Payton (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) against TCS Brenda (5-2, McGwire Sowers) in the fifth-race skirmish. The morning-line favorite J S Payton hails from the Benson Merrill stable and comes into this event off of a four-race winning streak, which includes two scores at the Fryeburg Fair.
TCS Brenda has been competitive in conditioned trots lately at Plainridge and brings her $80,521 in seasonal earnings to Cumberland while scoring from pylon position. Third choice is local star Brutalizer (5-1, Andy Harrington), who has enjoyed his share of success at the iconic Southern Maine oval.
Race 9 marks the return of the “greatest side show” in harness racing, the $4,200 Maine Amateur Driving Club event.
Most of the usual suspects are back behind the Wes Brown starting gate, including: Jason Bertolini (P4, Ziggy Sky), Joe Burke (P3, Plus One), and Todd Whitney (P1, Talbotcreekwhiskey).
Overall, the entire program has a lot of action for horse players with eight events boasting full seven- or eight-horse fields. The Pick-5 starts with the first race, the Pick-4 highlights the ninth, and the High-Five Pentafecta in the fifth and the finale — all with low 16% takeouts.
For the sixth season in a row, First Tracks Cumberland will present the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, slated for Saturday, Dec. 12. The event is open to 14-year-old horses that are racing, or have recently retired, and have Maine connections. Horses will parade in front of the fans in either harness or halter and be featured in a half-page bio with their photograph in the special commemorative program. Equine honorees must be present to participate and need to “declare” by Nov. 24. To enter your horse, or for more information, send an email of interest to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.
Racing continues at First Tracks Cumberland for the Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting on Friday (Nov. 13), which kicks off the three-day (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) weekend action throughout the months of November and early December. The 15-day meet concludes Dec. 13.
For more information and a complete racing calendar go to https://firsttrackscumberland.com/. Follow on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.