Cumberland, ME — Three $7,000 divisions of the Portland Breakwater Trotting Series were the shining beacons on Friday’s (July 28) 13-race program at Cumberland Raceway, lighting the way for eight finalists to compete for a $10,000 final next weekend.

The first split was a wire-to-wire romp for Showme Some Muscle, who showed the way home by seven lengths in 1:59.3 over No Mo Fashion (Walter Case Jr.) and Pembroke Faye (Heath Campbell), paying $4.20 to win. Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Candace Brandstatter and owner Seri Reddy, the 5-year-old son of Muscle Mass picked up the 12th win of his career but first of the season for his new connections.

Fit Bitt exercised his right to the front end in the second division, received a little encouragement from second-place finisher Prescott (Andy Harrington) down the lane, but ultimately prevailed in 2:01.1. Pembroke Honcho (Heath Campbell) finished third.

Fit Bitt took one of three $7,000 divisions of the Portland Breakwater Trotting Series on Friday at Cumberland. Stephanie Gray photo.

Aaron Hall drove the 6-year-old Muscle Mass gelding, who paid $2.60 to win, for trainer Ralph D’Amelio II and owner Mona Dodd.

The third and final leg was another front-end folly for Richsnortherndream, who withstood a late bid by favored Maplewood Slugger (John Nason) to score in 2:01 by a quarter length. Always A Good Time finished third. Driven by Walter Case Jr. for trainer James Dunn and owner Diane Dunn, the 7-year-old son of Northern Bailey grabbed his first win in just two seasonal starts.

The top two finishers in each of the three legs, plus the two fastest third-place finishers that enter, will be drawn into the final.

Racing at Cumberland resumes Saturday (July 29) with five divisions of the Spring Point Ledge series, each vying for a purse of $6,000. Also on Saturday is the last seasonal leg of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC), sponsored by Blue Seal Feeds. In addition, the Maine Sire Stakes has two divisions of freshman pacing fillies. First post time is 3:15 p.m.

Cumberland concludes its spring-summer meet with live programs next week on Friday (Aug. 4) at the usual 3:15 p.m. first post and Saturday (Aug. 5) with a special early post time of 2:15 p.m.