Cumberland, ME – Harness racing at the 153rd annual Cumberland Fair kicked off on Sunday (Sept. 21) with local reinsman Andy Harrington taking the first three out of four races on the introductory program.
Harrington, a 35-year-old Brunswick, Maine, native wasted little time finding his way to the Blue Seal Feeds Winner’s Circle at Cumberland. In the opener he sent his own Grand Galop Semalu on a first-over bid past the half to track down the leaders and score in 1:58.1.
Also, the trainer and owner of the 13-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven, it was his 15th lifetime victory, returning $2.20.
Harrington came right back in the third race to score with Fern Hill Flight in 1:58.3. He trains that 7-year-old son of Source Of Pride for Melvin Grant. The gelding paid $2.80 in his fourth seasonal win.
He followed that victory up with a repeat in the fourth, guiding Tobins Burke to a neck triumph over Liam’s Ace (Kevin Switzer Jr.) in 1:58.1.
Trained by David Crochere for owner Robyn Crochere, it was the second win in a row for the 6-year-old son of Tobago Cays, who returned $3.80.
Todd Whitney romped with Odds On Brexit in the Maine Amateur Driving Club event, scoring in 1:57.4 for trainer Michelle Lefebvre.
The $5,200 feature was captured by Go Dancing A, who grabbed his fifth win of the year in 1:56.4. Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for owner/trainer David McLellan, the 8-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance paid $5.40.
Racing resumes at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Monday (Sept. 22), with full cards scheduled for the remaining racing dates through Sunday (Sept. 28).
Post time is slated for 1 p.m. for the Monday through Thursday (Sept. 22-25) programs and drops backs to noon for the remaining weekend dates of Friday through Sunday (Sept. 26-28).
Always a highlight of the “Always in September” Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continue at Cumberland with 3-year-old filly pacers on Wednesday (Sept. 24) and then roll into the 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday (Sept. 25), with the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Sept. 26).
Once again, Cumberland will host the $300,000 est. Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on Saturday, Sept. 27, with two freshmen pacers, Massive Speed and Snowonthepines, putting their unblemished records on the line in their respective showdowns.
After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins Nov. 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for three-day weekends of racing through Dec. 21. The annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.
For additional information, visit firsttrackscumberland.com on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/.