Cumberland, ME — Maine-bred sophomore pacing filly My Sweet Revenge helped hot driver Drew Campbell grab four victories during the kickoff to Cumberland Raceway’s penultimate weekend on Friday (Dec. 13), defeating older mares in the process.
In the featured $6,000 pop-up series event for distaff pacers, the 3-year-old daughter of Western Maverick yielded control to Perfect Bloom and McGwire Sowers, who took the lead into a snappy :28.2 opening panel. Deedee Didit and Aaron Hall helped push the pacesetter into that taxing early fraction before they eventually donned the two-hole through the second half in a more pedestrian :59.2.
Campbell pulled My Sweet Revenge to the outside going up the backstretch and into the 1:28.3 three-quarters, collaring pacesetter Perfect Bloom around the final turn. As the straightened out for home, the even-money favorite found another gear and scooted away from her colleague by two lengths and scored in a lifetime best 1:58.2. Perfect Bloom finished second; Virtual Success (Nick Graffam) got up for third.
Trained by Benson Merrill for owner Leighton Property, My Sweet Revenge scored her fourth seasonal victory and paid $4.20 to win.
Drew Campbell also swept the daily double with Cash Crazy Express (1:59, $11.60) and Dancethebigdance N (1:58.3, $21.80), with the double returning a whopping $68.80. Campbell completed his four-bagger in the finale with Rise Above (1:59.2), who paid a healthy $15.60 for the win.
The staff and management of First Tracks Cumberland offers hearty congratulations to the 2024 inductees to the New England Harness Writers Hall of Fame. The esteemed group includes Walter Case Jr. and Kevin Switzer Sr., as well as posthumous honorees Mike Andrew and Bill Varney. The four individuals will be formally recognized at the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association annual banquet on Dec. 28 in Auburn, Maine.
Live harness racing action at Cumberland continues on Saturday (Dec. 14) with a 10-race card, which includes a $6,500 Winners Over Trot. The morning-line favorite is Jax Spratt (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.), who never looked back last week while leaving from pylon position. Empereurthebest FR (3-1, Walter Case Jr.) and Inquiring Mind (7-2, Steve Wilson) are also coming off of wins last week.
There is also a $6,000 Winners Over Pace on Saturday, led by 2-1 morning-line favorite Varney (Nick Graffam), who has earned $66,160 this year and hit the board 18 times in 32 outings. Last week’s winner Sixfingerfreddie, who gave top reinsman Drew Campbell his 6,000th career victory, is the 3-1 second choice.
Sunday’s (Dec. 15) card boasts nine divisions of the numerous pop-up series, with purses ranging from $6,000 to $8,000, along with the weekly $4,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club race.
On each racing day, a Pick-5 (races 3-7), a Pick-4, Pick-3, and final-race pentafecta all feature low 16% takeouts.
The 19-day meet continues through Dec. 22, and post time is always 10:55 a.m. THe track’s annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies will take place on Dec. 21, with a total of 13 entries to be paraded in front of their loyal Downeast fan base.
For more information, go to the track’s website.