Cumberland, ME — The battle for the First Tracks Cumberland driving championship just got a little closer as Bruce Ranger took Tuesday’s (Nov. 30) $5,000 featured Open II-III Trot with Broadway Giant.

Bruce Ranger took Tuesday’s top trot at Cumberland with Broadway Giant. Stephanie Gray photo.

Ranger charged from post five with favorite Broadway Giant, assumed command, and maintained a comfortable tempo through all the remaining stanzas. Despite continued pressure from L Dees Yoyo Ma, Ranger and Broadway Giant secured a 1-1/2-length victory in 2:02. L Dees Yoyo Ma (Drew Campbell) was second; Neverdie (Ron Cushing) was third.

After a lengthy drought at Plainridge, Broadway Giant, a 7-year-old son of Broadway Hall, picked up his third win of the season for owner-trainer Ronald Patoine. He paid $3.20 to win.

Ranger wired the field once again in race six, a $4,000 Open IV Trot, with Major Matter in 2:03.3. The favorite avoided traffic trouble after the start and then rolled on to secure the lead. From there, Ranger cruised through easy fractions with Major Matter and drew off down the stretch to score by four lengths. Mackworthy (Wally Watson) finished second; Call Me Hal (Nick Graffam) was third.

Major Matter paid $4.80 to win.

Personnel Space, a 13-year-old son of I Am A Fool with 43 career wins, captured the $4,000 ‘Grumpy Old Man Pace’ in 2:00.3. Personnel Space, whom Matt Athearn drove for owner-trainer Michael Girouard, paid $12.40 to win, defeating Spaghetti Eddie (Walter Case Jr.) and Bettoriffic (Drew Campbell).

Ranger’s two wins out of Tuesday’s three trotting events brought him to within one win of Drew Campbell, who holds a narrow 58-57 edge for first place in the driving standings. Matt Athearn and Dan Deslandes also had driving doubles on the program.

Racing resumes on Wednesday (Dec. 1), with post time set for 11 a.m.