Cumberland, ME — While driver Kevin Switzer Jr. may have had the hot hands on the Friday (May 12) program at Cumberland Raceway with three wins, all eyes were on Bruce Ranger after the seventh race as over 40 of his fellow drivers, trainers, family, friends and local horsepeople surrounded the hometown hero in recognition of his recent 10,000-win milestone.

The Maine faithful were all too happy to congratulate the affable reinsman, who became just the 19th driver of all time to reach a five-figure win total. Mike Cianchette, of First Tracks Cumberland, and Mike Cushing, of the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association, were just two of the well-wishers in an overflowing winner’s circle presentation.

Ranger is a member of both the New England and the Florida USHWA Halls of Fame, and cites Cumberland as his “home track,” having trained his first miles there as a youngster while growing up on his family’s nearby Norton Farm.

Local drivers, trainers, family and friends rallied around hometown hero Bruce Ranger. Stephanie Gray photo.

Because of Ranger’s lifetime dedication to harness racing and his considerable accomplishments in the sport, 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.

Switzer got his hat trick aboard Easteriffic (2:00.1, $8.80); Mister Muscle (2:00, $6.40) and Paternity Suit A (1:56.1, $3.60), who is co-owned by Plainridge publicist Tim Bojarski.

Friday’s $6,500 co-features were captured by Lydia’s Liberty (1:54.4, $9.40, Dan Deslandes), which was just two-fifths of a second off the track record for pacing mares, and Osprey Delta (2:01.2, $5.80, Mike Stevenson) taking the top trot.

Andrew Harrington picked up two wins on the program, both of which are trained by his wife, Sara. Nick Graffam won the finale, putting his lifetime dash win total at 996.

Racing at Cumberland continues with Saturday’s (May 13) program, which carries 10 races and includes a $6,500 winners-over pace. The wagering menu always offers 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 six), a 50-cent Pick-4 (races 7-10), and the final race features a 20-cent pentafecta with a low 16% takeout. Post time is 3:15 p.m.

In addition to next week’s regularly scheduled programming on Friday and Saturday (May 19-20), live harness racing at Cumberland continues next weekend with a special card on Sunday (May 21). First post remains 3:15 p.m. (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 5.