Cumberland, ME — Several weeks ago, Bruce Ranger was asked when he may reach his historic 10,000-win plateau. Like a wise soothsayer, he replied, “It will probably happen at Plainridge.”

While sitting at 9,997 wins and with a full dance card on Tuesday (May 9) at the Bay State oval, Ranger went to work. Sure enough, the Maine native took matters into his own hands, literally, and won the second, fourth and sixth races at Plainridge to become just the 19th driver in the storied history of the sport to reach a five-figure dash win total.

“You can’t really plan when it will happen,” Ranger stated after the fact. “In all honesty, you just have to take it a race at a time.”

Bruce Ranger, who cracked the 10,000-win plateau on Tuesday at Plainridge Park, will be honored in his home state this weekend at First Tracks Cumberland. Chris Tully photo.

The popular 63-year-old pilot recognizes that it all comes down to good mounts.

“I got into a good rhythm with some good horses, and things just seemed to go my way,” Ranger recalled about his day in the spotlight. “We can’t plan these things. Sometimes you get a cold spell or get pushing too hard, and it doesn’t work out. That day, I was just on a roll.”

On a roll indeed, following his milestone in the sixth race, Ranger came right back to win number 10,001 in the seventh. And such is the life of much sought-after catch driver. A member of both the New England and the Florida USHWA Halls of Fame, Ranger shows no signs of slowing down as he has eight drives on Friday (May 12) at Cumberland.

Following the seventh race on Friday, Ranger will be recognized for his recent milestone by both First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association in a winner’s circle presentation while surrounded by his fellow New England reinsmen.

In addition, First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association are pleased to announce that May 26 and 27 will be known as Bruce Ranger Weekend at the historic southern Maine oval. Giveaways, a special color program insert, interviews and autograph sessions featuring Bruce Ranger will highlight the holiday weekend’s festivities. Stay tuned for additional information.

This Friday’s (May 12) 11-race program includes three races with purses of $6,000 or higher, includes a 50-cent trifecta in every race, and kicks off with a 50-cent Pick-5. In addition, there is a pair of 20-cent superfectas (races four and seven), a 50-cent Pick-4 (races 8-11), and the final race delivers a 20-cent pentafecta with a low 16 percent takeout. Saturday’s (May 13) program carries 10 races and includes a featured $6,500 winners over pace.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland through Aug. 5 with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. Daily first post is slated for 3:15 p.m. (EDT).