Warrawee Preferred takes Cumberland feature
April 14, 2024,Cumberland, ME – Warrawee Preferred won the $7,500 Jack Frost Preferred Trot at Cumberland on Saturday (April 13), which was his second win of the week.
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Warrawee Preferred (Walter Case Jr.) takes featured trot at Cumberland. Joe Shaw photo.
Driven to victory by Walter Case Jr. for trainer McKenzie Sowers, the 13-year-old son of Federal Flex had just won a $7,500 NAADA amateur event at Monticello on Wednesday (April 10).
Scoring from post seven, Case grabbed early position by ducking in the 4-hole heading into a :29.2 opening panel set by Mister Muscle (Aaron Hall). Approaching the softer 1:02.1 half, Power Mitt (Kevin Switzer Jr.) had pulled first up and Warrawee Preferred benefitted from the live cover second over.
As the field picked up momentum toward the third stanza in 1:32, Warrawee Preferred was three-wide on the outside and had just Power Mitt to contend with around the final turn and through the stretch. The pair battled down the lane but it was the 6-5 favorite Warrawee Preferred that prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths in the final strides to get his second victory in a row.
Owned by Ryan Berry, it was the 65th win of his career, pushing his lifetime bankroll to $359,736. He paid $4.40 to win. Prescott (Andy Harrington) got up to be second; Power Mitt hung on for third.
A robust crowd enjoyed food and refreshments in the grandstand and enjoyed partly sunny skies on the apron for the fourth annual opening day of the Spring-Summer meet at the iconic Southern Maine oval. Punters wagered $104,719 on the 11-race card, which was the first of over 50 race dates at the extended pari-mutuel harness track.
The Deslandes clan followed up their big qualifying day with a four-bagger on the afternoon program. Driver Dan, trainer Jeff and caretaker Kori took home all the bacon with victories by: Fomor (2:06.3, $4.20), J S Peyton (2:02, $4.20), Granny’s Girl (1:59.1, $3) and Grand Galop Semalu (2:01, $2.80).
Driver Mike Stevenson enjoyed a double on the card, including a $36.20 score with his own charge Rojas Blue Chip.
Racing returns for Sunday’s (April 14) card which features a Winners Over $10,000 handicap vying for $7,000 in purse money.
The Bird Dance N, fresh off an his 1:57.1 qualifier on Tuesday, has been listed as the 6-5 early choice. Driven by the red-hot Dan Deslandes (post five) for trainer Karl Butterfield, the 9-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance earned $68,491 last season with 10 wins in 27 starts. He already has 9 starts this season and appears to be in top form.
The second choice is Alex Having Fun (Aaron Hall, post six), who has been freshened up by owner/trainer Kimberly Vafiades and looks to expand upon his 2023 $90,740 seasonal total.
The Maine Amateur Driving Club also makes it’s Spring debut with fan favorite Putnams Storm (and 86-year-old Bob Nadeau) taking on the Maine faithful in the $5,000 event sponsored by Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
Sunday’s Card features 11 races with post time slated for 3:15 p.m.
Horsemen are reminded to check the US Trotting’s online condition sheet for next week’s double draw, which will be held Tuesday (April 16) for the Friday & Saturday (April 19 & 20) race dates. Additional information, plus live coverage and replays and is available on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com/.
First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post continues to be scheduled for 3:15 p.m. (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 3.