Cumberland, ME — The second round of three elimination legs of the Fred Nichols Memorial Late Closing Series went postward at First Tracks Cumberland on Wednesday (Dec. 15), with two new victors and one repeat winner visiting the Blue Seal Winner’s Circle.

The first $5,000 division was a wire-to-wire romp for Sanattle Slew and driver Dan Deslandes. The meet’s third leading reinsman put the 10-year-old son of Santanna Blue Chip on the front end from post five and never looked back. Scoring in 1:58.2 by 3-3/4 lengths, it was Sanattle Slew’s third victory in his last four starts. Cool Jack (Aaron Hall) finished second; Through The Fence (Drew Campbell) was third.

Trained by Karl Butterfield for owner Jose Cervantes, Sanattle Slew paid $6.00 to win.

Matt Athearn won back-to-back legs of the Fred Nichols with Obscene Blue Chip. Stephanie Gray photo.

The second division went to repeat winner Obscene Blue Chip and driver Matt Athearn. Starting from post six, the 7-year-old son of Western Ideal had the best view of favorite Mach Diesel (Bruce Ranger), who cut fractions of :28.3 and :58.2 to the half. Southwind Terror (Nick Graffam) was the first to pull first over, with Obscene Blue Chip enjoying that second over cover into a 1:27.2 third quarter.

Athearn urged Obscene Blue Chip down the lane and squeaked out the win by a nose in 1:59.2 over King Royalty (Kevin Switzer Jr). Mach Diesel finished third by a neck.

Trained by Kenneth Secord for owner Cris Wescott, Obscene Blue Chip paid $6.00 to win.

The third and final division of the Fred Nichols was captured by So It Goes and Graffam who got up in the final strides to win by a nose over favorite Commondiscourtesy (Campbell) in 1:58.4.

Trained and co-owned by Brian Lamb with Mona Dodd, So It Goes lit up the toteboard, paying $62.00 to win.

Named for the man that was instrumental in keeping Maine’s harness racing industry alive, Nichols wore many hats in our industry, including, but not limited to, USTA director, race secretary and promotions director.

The top eight money earners (listed below) that raced in both legs and subsequently enter will qualify for the $15,000 final on Wednesday (Dec. 22).

Switzer enjoyed two driving wins on the program. Ranger and Campbell each had one win on the card, which was enough to keep the former in first place by one victory over the latter, in the on-going battle for Cumberland’s top dash-winning reinsman.

Racing resumes on Saturday (Dec. 18) and Sunday (Dec. 19); post time for all race dates is 11 a.m.

Our Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continues with live harness racing several days each week through Dec. 31, which is also the date of our special retirement ceremonies for 14-year-old Standardbred horses. For more information, go to our website at firsttrackscumberland.com.

Fred Nichols Mem. Point Standings
1. $5000 — Obscene Blue
2. $3750 — Commondiscourtesy
T-3. $3100 — Sanattle Slew
T-3. $3100 — Through The Fence
T-5. $2500 — Cool Jack
T-5. $2500 — So It Goes
T-7. $1850 — Mach Diesel
T-7. $1850 — Po Po Dee
9. $1250 — King Royalty
T-10. $1000 — Joey The Third
T-10. $1000 — Tail Hook
T-12. $650 — Bet On Success
T-12. $650 — Real Sancho
14. $500 — Moonshinecharleigh
T-15. $400 — Southwind Terror
T-15. $400 — Toe Tag
17. $250 — Rockaholic