Cumberland, ME — The Maine Amateur Driving Club was back in action on Saturday (April 12) at Cumberland Raceway, with the popular event set as the opener on a track dampened by overnight snowfall.
The sloppy yet fast conditions didn’t stop Mike Girouard and his heavy 1-5 favorite Menlo Park from engaging in a front end battle with Hunter Lofthus and Art Scene (9-5), who gained the early tactical advantage in the $4,000 event. After begrudgingly surrendering the lead at the start, Girouard was right back out and moving to retake the front while setting an eye-popping :28 opening panel.
Girouard gave his charge a brief respite going to the half in :58 but had to increase his tempo to maintain his advantage through a 1:27.4 third stanza. Enjoying a perfect pocket trip, Lofthus tipped Art Scene to the outside off the final turn and set his sights on the leader. By mid-stretch, the pair was heads apart, and the duo battled gamely through the final strides with Menlo Park and Girouard holding on by a scant neck in 2:00.3 to capture the victory. The 8-year-old son of Betterthancheddar is also owned and trained by Girouard, and paid $2.60 for the score.
The Maine Amateur Driving Club events are sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed stores of North Falmouth and Windham, Maine.
The dynamic duo of McGwire Sowers and Autym Robinson teamed up to take a pair of events, including the $5,500 feature with Hypnoticdream (2:02.1, $3.40) and Readyfortheladys (2:00.4, $4.60). The pair accrued five wins over the opening weekend.
Top reinsmen Drew Campbell and Kevin Switzer each grabbed a pair of victories on the day’s program.
For Campbell, the wins came with Dinner Party (2:00.3, $4.00) for trainer Chris DuBois and Rose Run Slider (2:01.2, $9.20) for Mark Harris. Switzer’s scores were aboard Heavensway A (2:02, $2.40) and Sherrif N ((2:02.3, $2.40), who were both harnessed by Zack Vickerson.
Racing at Cumberland resumes on Friday (April 18), and the box closes at 10 a.m. on Tuesday (April 15) for a double draw.
Looking ahead to the first Saturday in May, bettors and fans of Thoroughbred racing will be able to watch and wager on the entire Kentucky Derby card from Churchill Downs right in the Cumberland grandstand.
First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue through Aug. 2 with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. Daily first post is slated for 3:15 p.m. (EDT).