Cumberland, ME – Jimmy Nickerson’s Saint Stephens used a cover trip on Friday (Nov. 13) to capture the $6,100 featured trot at First Tracks Cumberland as the iconic Southern Maine oval opened its first three-day weekend of the winter meet.
The first to leave in the conditioned trot was High Gear No Fear, driven by Nick Graffam, who put his charge into overdrive from post 6 when the wings folded and grabbed the top before the high-steppers hit the first turn.
Heading into the :29.3 opening panel, Graffam had his charge fired up with Amalie Hanover (driven by Hunter Lofthus) sitting in the pocket and the favorite Brutalizer (Andy Harrington) and Saint Stephens (Kevin Switzer Jr.) rolling along in third and fourth places, respectively.
Heading toward the 1:00.3 half-mile marker, Harrington was the first to pull the right line with Brutalizer, who was immediately followed by Saint Stephens who tracked along for the second-over trip.
High Gear No Fear continued to lead the charge into a 1:30 third stanza, with Brutalizer breathing down his neck as they rolled through the final turn. Saint Stephens tipped three wide in the apex of the bend and used that momentum as the field straightened out for the final stretch drive.
Three horses barreled down the lane, matching strides and determination as neither foe would give an inch. In the final steps, under the shadow of the wire, Saint Stephens asserted his divine intervention and got up by a half-length to win in 2:00.4.
Trained by Nickerson for owners Jeff Epstein and Steve Gondelman, the 4-year-old son of Father Patrick picked up his second win in a row and fourth of the season, returning $5.20.
Nary a whisker separated Brutalizer and High Gear No Fear, with a photo determining Brutalizer was second best.
A race earlier, Switzer Jr. scored with Maine Sire Stakes star Snowonthepines, who got her second win in a row in overnight competition, having won 11 previous races during her lengthy stakes season. She has earned $123,681 for owner-breeder Leighton Property, returning $2.80 for a mile in 1:58.2.
Switzer finished the day with three wins but was superseded in the daily win column by Nick Graffam, who had five victories on the late morning-early afternoon card.
Racing resumes on Saturday (Nov. 14) with a 12-race card of full fields at First Tracks Cumberland. The Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continues into the nine-race card Sunday (Nov. 15) card to close out the weekend. Post time is 10:55 a.m. (EST).
For more information and a complete racing calendar go to https://firsttrackscumberland.com/. Follow on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.