Cumberland, ME — Reinsman Nick Graffam started Saturday’s (May 20) Cumberland program needing just one victory to push him to 1,000 lifetime driving wins. That moment finally arrived in the afternoon’s eighth race, in which Four Finger Floyd put the Maine native into the four-figure win category.

“I am grateful for every opportunity I’ve had, everywhere I race. But I am glad [the 1,000th win] was at my home track,” stated the lanky 32-year-old.

Born and raised just down the road from Cumberland at the historic Norton Farm, Graffam works with his parents, Mike and Lori, and sister, Bethany, at the family’s iconic local stable and training center. He and his fiancée, Natalie, live in a house right next to the farm.

Graffam continued, “Growing up on the farm meant a lot of long days and hard work. But days like today feel really great when all that time and effort pays off.”

And it took some time and effort to get to the winner’s circle today, as Graffam had driven in four races prior to hitting pay dirt. In the milestone-clinching race, Graffam sat a perfect pocket trip with Four Finger Floyd before drawing off to win by two lengths in 1:57.2.

Nick Graffam was recognized trackside after Four Finger Floyd carried him into the winner’s circle for the 1,000th time in his driving career. Stephanie Gray photo.

The 5-year-old son of Sportswriter, trained by Karl Butterfield for owner José Cervantes, paid $6.60 to win.

One race later, Graffam came right back to get win No. 1,001 with Black Hawk Down, who won wire-to-wire in 2:01.3. The 5-year-old Kadabra gelding, who paid $3.60 to win as the 4-5 favorite, is trained by Sara Harrington for owners Robert and Beth Gibbs.

The featured $6,500 Winners-Over Pace for fillies and mares was captured by Newsy N in 1:55.3 for driver and co-owner Ron Cushing (with Kevin Sywyk) and trainer Heidi Gibbs, defeating Lydia’s Liberty (Dan Deslandes) and Ry’s Red Rocket (Mark Athearn) for her fourth seasonal victory. She paid $3.40 to win.

In Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) action, Jason Bertolini continued his reign of terror, winning the $4,400 event for the third straight week. Back behind Bailey’s Legacy, the horse he won with two weeks ago, Bertolini drove a tactically savvy race, allowing his fellow competitors to tussle on the front end before pouncing up the backside for the final time. Bailey’s Legacy scored in 2:00, a new seasonal mark, for trainer Sherry Cushing and owner/breeder Bruce Inch. Jaxson R Brown (Dalton Lee) finished second; A List (Benson Merrill) was third.

The 6-year-old son of Western Maverick paid $5.40 to win.

The MADC is faithfully sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham.

Dan Deslandes and Kevin Switzer Jr. both had driving doubles on the program, with the latter moving to the top of the drivers’ standings with 18 trips to the winner’s circle, one more than Bruce Ranger’s 17.

Aaron Hall took the finale with Uptown Lover (2:01.3, $10.60), moving to within one win of his 500th career victory.

Racing at Cumberland resumes Sunday (May 21) and features a $6,500 conditioned trot. First post time is 3:15 p.m.