Cumberland, ME – Driver Aaron Hall is making his ascent toward the top of the leaderboard at Maine’s Cumberland Raceway as the 32-year-old teamster won four races on Saturday (May 30), including the $7,000 feature.
Hall wasted little time getting his grand slam afternoon underway by winning the second half of the daily double with Jamie Gerard’s Polyester by a nose in 2:01.3. The 6-year-old mare is from the one of the final New York crops of Dude’s The Man and now has $146,466 in lifetime earnings with 26 career victories. She returned $8.20 for the score.
Despite the unseasonable chill in the air, Hall remained hot as he finished second in the next three races in which he had a mount. Next up was the $7,000 Winners Over Pace in race eight where he came from dead last at the half to grind his way to the top and score with Vel Trust In Time in 1:57.
Owned by Clifford Grundy for trainer Tammy Sowers, the 5-year-old son of Lost In Time picked up his second win in a row and eighth of the season, returning $12.40.
Married Man (Nick Graffam) finished second; heavy favorite Jones Hanover (Kevin Switzer Jr.) cut the mile and faded to third.
Hall grabbed the next pair of races with Urania Blue Chip (1:59.4, $20.20) for trainer Dalton Lee, and Society Jill (2:00.2, $22.20) for trainer Kimberly Vafiades.
Overall Hall had four wins, four seconds and a fifth in nine starts on the card. After the races Hall noted that he doesn’t really concern himself with win totals.
“I just try to drive each race independently and make the most money I can for the people putting their trust in me,” humbly noted Hall.
Aaron Hall’s big day helped vault the steady-handed reinsman much closer to the top of the leaderboard with 37 scores on the season. That brings him within just two wins of current leader Nick Graffam who has 39 wins. Kevin Switzer Jr. is in third place with 32 wins. McGwire Sowers had three wins on the card and now sits in fourth place with 24. Andy Harrington and Mike Stevenson are tied for fifth at 21.
Trainer Tammy Sowers had four wins on the program. Michelle Lefebvre leads all conditioners with 34 seasonal victories at Cumberland.
Racing resumes on Saturday (June 6) with a special 2:45 p.m., post time, to merge schedules with the Belmont at Saratoga card, which is the third leg of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown. First Tracks Cumberland will provide on-site viewing and wagering with doors opening at noon.
The racing schedule now back to Saturday-Sunday cards for the remainder of the meet.
Except for special occasions, first post is generally 12:15 p.m.,during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.
A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website: First Tracks Cumberland