While driver Kevin Switzer Jr. may have had the hot hands on the Friday (May 12) program at Cumberland Raceway with three wins, all eyes were on Bruce Ranger after the seventh race as over 40 of his fellow drivers, trainers, family, friends and local horsepeople surrounded the hometown hero in recognition of his recent 10,000-win milestone.
Author: by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
Unusual Clarity steals feature at Vernon
Unusual Clarity and trainer-driver Ron Harp slipped by pacesetting favorite Special Olivia late to capture the $6,500 distaff pacing feature at Vernon Downs on Friday (May 12).
Rick Finn, 64, dies
Richard D. (Rick) Finn, 64, of Crete Ill., died May 6, 2023, after a short but hard battle with cancer.
Fortunes changing for Alan at Buffalo
After a pair of excruciating losses in late April, a flip of the calendar to May has changed the fortunes of Alan. For the second straight week, Alan ($9.60) went gate-to-wire and blitzed the field in the $15,500 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway on Friday afternoon (May 12). He put away Megabank K by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:57.2.
South Beach Star shines in Philly feature
South Beach Star was parked most of a :53.3 first half en route to a 1:48.2 win at Pocono last week; on Friday (May 12) at Harrah’s Philadelphia, the Somebeachsomewhere gelding saved the :53.3 half for the back of the mile, holding off favorite Lou’s Pearlman by a halflength in 1:49.1 to take the $20,000 Open Handicap Pace.
Stillwell upsets in NAADA Trot
Jacob Stillwell stormed off the speed with Judge Ken to claim a 2:00.1 victory as the longest shot on the board in the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot on Thursday night (May 11) at Yonkers Raceway.
Ranger to be honored at Cumberland for 10,000-win milestone
Several weeks ago, Bruce Ranger was asked when he may reach his historic 10,000-win plateau. Like a wise soothsayer, he replied, “It will probably happen at Plainridge.”
Lou’s Sweetrevenge goes lifetime best at Plainridge
Plainville, MA — Despite being handicapped with post eight in a top field of pacers, Lou’s Sweetrevenge convincingly scored his second straight victory in the $25,000 Winners-Over Pace at Plainridge Park and…
Camluck Classic night taking shape
The Raceway at the Western Fair District is gearing up for one of the biggest nights in Canadian harness racing on May 26. The C$150,000 Camluck Classic, presented by Seelster Farms, is now just over two weeks way and the race office is busy putting together this year’s field. The Raceway will be announcing some of the confirmed starters via social media in the coming days.
Ammo hits the target at Philly in 2023 debut
Ammo, last year’s Breeders Crown champion 2-year-old male pacer, easily won his 2023 purse debut, a $12,600 pacing co-feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia, in 1:51.2 on Thursday afternoon (May 11).