Cumberland, ME – Former Maine Sire Stakes star Arts Flight captured the $5,000 feature on Sunday (Nov. 9) at Cumberland Raceway, helping his driver Aaron Hall grab three wins on the midday program.
Hall left alertly from post four with his 4-year-old son of Artistic Fella, along with a cavalry charge of other position seekers. Arts Flight went around the pylon-protecting Premier Joy A (Shawn Thayer) just past the snappy :28.4 opening panel, with Wolftrax (Kevin Switzer Jr.) hung out to dry from post seven.
Heading to the :58.4 half, Arts Flight was in full command with Wolftrax hanging tough European style and leading the outer flow, which was stacked up four deep.
Heath Campbell tipped 6-5 favorite JK Objection three-wide down the backside to engage with the leaders into a 1:28 third panel, advancing from fifth to second by the time the field hit the final turn.
Down the stretch the two pacers battled feverishly, leaving the rest of the field in a five-length wake. At the wire Arts Flight was able to fend off the assault of JK Objection by a neck in 1:57.4.
Trained by Sara Harrington for owner Mac Stables, the 5-2 second choice returned $7.40. He was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe and picked up his seventh seasonal score. Always A Mystery (McGwire Sowers) finished third.
Driver Aaron Hall enjoyed three wins on the program, including Polyester (2:00, $3.60) and Press Time (2:00.4, $3.60), who he also trains.
Leading reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. had three wins on both the Saturday and Sunday cards, while Heath Campbell enjoyed four wins on Saturday, including a track record with Pembroke Breeze, who set a new 1:58 standard for a 4-year-old trotting mare.
Racing resumes on Saturday (Nov. 15) at First Tracks Cumberland, with the Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continuing its weekend action throughout the month of November. Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of harness racing each week (Fri-Sat-Sun) beginning Dec. 5. The 18-day meet runs until Dec. 21.
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