Cumberland, ME — Eight qualifying races are carded and ready to roll at First Tracks Cumberland (Maine) on Tuesday (April 9). Sixty horses filled the entry box for the 11:30 a.m. post time, which will be broadcast on the Racetrack Television Network.

With the upcoming Spring meet at Cumberland taking shape, a host of 3-year-olds all the way up to 15-year-old Putnams Storm are ready to take on the teletimer and their peers in the first harness racing action in the state of Maine for 2024.

The continued forecast is for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s through the afternoon, which has led to a swift melting of the lofty snowfall totals that wreaked havoc on the area last weekend.

Putnams Storm is among the 60 horses in the qualifying box. Chris Tully photo.

The fan-favorite gray gelding Putnams Storm, who enters the encore season of his career, will be driven by his 86-year-old owner/trainer Bob Nadeau in race five. Just inside him is Maine Sire Stakes champion Luke McGook who is now four and continues to race for his Leighton Property ownership.

Race Secretary Rob Pennington orchestrated a very competitive qualifying card, in hopes of attracting much of this talent to the first draw for opening weekend. A double draw will be conducted for Saturday and Sunday (April 13 and 14), with the box closing at a special time of 1 p.m. (EDT) on Wednesday (April 10). The overnight condition sheet for the first week of racing is now available on the USTA’s online entry system.

First Track’s Cumberland’s Spring/Summer meet will continue with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post is slated for 3:15 p.m. (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 3.