Cumberland, ME – Maplewood Slugger and John Nason hit a home run on Friday (June 27) winning the $5,000 featured trot at Cumberland Raceway.
Scoring from post three in the opener, the duo swung at the first pitch and took the early lead into a :28.4 opening panel. From that point, Nason eased the tempo into softer fractions, hitting the half in :59.2. With challengers at his flank the pair reached the third station in 1:30.
As High Gear No Fear (17-1, McGwire Sowers) was breathing down his neck, the 6-year-old son of Pembroke Slugger stepped up to the plate and swung for the fences in 2:00.2, winning by 2-1/4 lengths.
Trained and driven by Nason for owner-breeder Maxine Hadlock, he paid $8.60 to win his first race of the season and 17th of his career.
High Gear No Fear finished second; favorite Matt So Sure was third.
The daily double ($24.10) was captured by Twin B High Tech in a wire-to-wire romp in 1:58.2. Aaron Hall drove the 5-year-old daughter of Lazarus N to victory in the $4,800 conditioned pace. She paid $9.60 to win. Gowestyounggrace (Joe Wishard) finished second.
Aaron Hall won three races on the program (two for conditioner Jamie Gerard), and top gun McGwire Sowers picked a pair of winners for his wife, trainer Autym Sowers.
Racing continues on Saturday (June 28) with 11 races, including four $12,000-plus finals of various late closing series, as well as two $12,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers. The total purses for the card equal $104,049.
The action kicks off at 3:15 p.m. (EDT).
Live video and replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.
First Tracks Cumberland’s spring/summer meet will continue through early summer with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 2.