Cumberland, ME — Reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. won three races on the Saturday (April 15) program at First Tracks Cumberland, including both $6,000 features. Known to extract speed from a horse, Switzer already owns the track record for older pacing horses, and he was back to his old tricks setting the fastest mile of the early meet on opening weekend.

Switzer began his three-bagger by sending McStoned Again right to the top from the dreaded eight-hole in the Winners Over Handicap Trot. After being parked to the quarter in :31, Switzer cleared for command and led the 5-year-old son of Wishing Stone through comfortable fractions of 1:03.3 and 1:34.3 before the outer flow started to threaten his grasp on the lead.

At the head of the stretch, he found another gear and the wagering favorite rolled to a :30.1 final quarter to best Inukchuk Chuck (Gary Mosher) by a measured neck in 2:04.4.  Massive Lightning (Nick Graffam) finished third.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr., pictured above driving McStoned Again, piloted three winners on Saturday at Cumberland. Stephanie Gray photo.

This was McStoned Again’s first start in Maine, after having made a dozen seasonal starts at Miami Valley Now with trainer Christopher Hitchcock for owner Michael Pease, the trotter recorded his second victory of the year and paid $6.20 to win.

Switzer came right back to take the $6,000 Winners Over Handicap Pace with Lexus Witha View A in 1:55.4, which was the fastest mile of the fledgling season at Cumberland. Leaving from post six, the 9-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere led every step of the way through splits of :27.2, :57.3 and 1:26.2, never having an anxious moment before cruising home a two-length winner. The Bird Dance N (Nick Graffam) finished second and Bush Man N (Gary Mosher) was third, completing a ‘Down Under’ triple.

It was the second triumph of the season for Lexus Witha View A ($2.80), who is now a few thousand dollars shy of $300,000 in lifetime earnings. Trainer Jamie Gerard shares ownership with Strategic Racing Stable.

Several favorites faltered on the day’s program, sparking double-digit win tickets.  Race three witnessed Bruce Ranger score with Liewhentruthwildo at 12-1, paying $26.20 to win. Aaron Hall scored with Little Macabee in race six, paying $22.60 to win. Race eight went to Gary Mosher and Go Sandy Go, who returned $29.00. In the finale, Steve Wilson steered 17-1 long shot Lucky Michael home to a $39.40 winning ticket.

Switzer also won race nine with Foxy Trottin Stick to complete the winning troika. Perennial leading reinsman Ranger had two wins on the program, bringing his total win count to within 30 of 10,000. Gerard enjoyed two training victories.

Wagering was strong, once again, for the second day of Cumberland’s opening weekend. Punters pushed $128,000 through the pari-mutuel system, which was up $53,000 from last year despite two fewer races.

Horsemen are reminded to check the condition sheet for Cumberland’s two ‘Spring Fling’ late closing series, which start this coming weekend. The TrackMaster Rating conditioned events offer $15,000 and $20,000 final purses, respectively, the following weekend.

Racing resumes on Friday and Saturday (April 21-22). First Tracks Cumberland’s spring/summer meet continues through Aug. 5 with racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post each day is 3:15 p.m. (EDT).

For additional information, go to https://firsttrackscumberland.com/.