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First Tracks Cumberland, Blanchard Road, Cumberland Center, ME (2026)

08/03/2026

‘Art’ and ‘Al’ take Pine Tree Opens at Cumberland

August 3, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The final program for the Spring-Summer meet at First Tracks Cumberland on Sunday (August 2) saw Arts Flight and Big Al M take their respective $12,000 Pine Tree Opens with records falling as the curtain closed on another successful harness racing season.

In the Pine Tree Open Pace the public’s third choice, Arts Flight (4-1, Andy Harrington), sprinted swiftly to take command from the start and set a snappy opening panel of :28.1. Touch Of Character (9-1, Aaron Hall) was headstrong in the pocket with the favored Married Man (1-1, Dave Ingraham) getting away in third.

The outer flow had begun right at the start as Jones Hanover (Wally Watson) had been parked every step of the first half in a swift :57.1. P L Pasquale (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) picked up that second over cover with Graysons Pacin (Nick Graffam) third up from the back of the pack at the midway marker.

With Married Man gapping in third and Hall finding Touch Of Character eager to march onward, the pacesetting Arts Flight let out a notch into a torrid 1:25.4 third stanza. Around the final turn P L Pasquale found himself first over and ready to challenge the leader, as Touch Of Character had the same idea, the chasers appeared poised to pounce.

But Arts Flight still had a little left in the tank and held off the late chargers to prevail by half a length in 1:55, a new lifetime mark.

Trained by Sara Harrington for owner Mac Stables, the 5-year-old son of Artistic Fella picked up his sixth seasonal victory. Bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, he returned $10.40. Picking up the lion’s share of the $12,000 purse, Arts Flight now has $130,295 earned lifetime.

P L Pasquale got up to be second; Married Man finished third.

In the $12,000 Pine Tree Open Trot it was all Big Al M who led from pillar to post with no threats in sight.

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. the 8-year-old son of Anders Bluestone set opening fractions of :28.2 and 58.2 before kicking into high gear past the half. By the 1:26.4 third panel Big Al M was on top by six lengths and the track record appeared to be in jeopardy.

At the head of the stretch ‘Al’ had ten on the field and the race was being fought for second between Brutalizer (Andy Harrington), Twoscoopsforjack (Mark Athearn) and the favored Party At Seven (Nick Graffam).

Down the lane Big Al M cruised to a 16 length score in 1:56.2, which equaled the all-age trotting track record and established a new standard for an Aged Gelding Trotter.

Owned and trained by Zach Vickerson, it was the fourth seasonal victory for the winner of $541,430 lifetime. He returned $7.20 for the 36th win of his career.

TCS Brenda (McGwire Sowers) swooped the battle for second in deep stretch the take the place position; Party At Seven finished third.

In Maine Sire Stakes action the 2- and 3-year-old trotters competed in four $14,000-plus legs for their respective divisions. U Know I Know (Ken Watson) took the freshmen c**t trot in 2:05.3; Princess Caledonia (Gary Hall) got her second seasonal score in 2:04.4; Hayden (Gary Hall) won again in 2:02.1 in the 3-year-old filly trot; and the male sophomore trot went to Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) in 2:00, a new lifetime best.

Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers on the program with three scores, and finished the Spring-Summer meet as the leading reinsmen with 98 visits to the winners circle. Nick Graffam (74) and Aaron Hall (62) finished second and third respectively.

Michelle Lefebvre concluded the meet with 54 wins as the leading conditioner, closely followed by Bob Marston with 48.

Racing resumes at the Cumberland Raceway at the annual “Always in September” Cumberland Fair for an eight day meet starting Sunday, September 27. The Winter Festival at First Tracks Cumberland starts on November 8 for a fifteen-day meet through December 13.

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:
https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/

08/02/2026

Three in a row for No Small Wonder at Cumberland

August 2, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – During the penultimate program for the Spring-Summer meet at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday (August 1) the story grew for No Small Wonder as the precocious filly took her third consecutive Maine Sire Stakes event for 2-year-old pacing fillies.

When the sixth race went postward, a $15,616 leg for freshmen distaff sidesteppers, the first to leave was second choice W**e For The Lady (7-2, Aaron Hall) who had a brief tussle for the top with Bettor’s Treasure (8-1, McGwire Sowers) as they sprinted toward a :29.1 opening panel. As soon as Hall cleared with his charge, Kevin Switzer Jr. had the 1-5 favorite No Small Wonder out and blasted up from third to challenge for the lead.

From that point it was all over but the shouting as no one could get to the heavy favorite. The first to pull was Lillian G (Dakota Niles) from fifth, forcing the hand of Bettor’s Treasure who rolled first over heading into a 1:00.1 half.

Well in-hand, No Small Wonder showed no signs of distress as she toyed with her opponents as they stacked up down the backstretch with Lillian G tipping three wide to engage Bettor’s Treasure and the pocket sitting W**e For The Lady as they reached the third station in 1:29.4.

With the outer flow stalling Andy Harrington skimmed the cones and put Feel The Fury into play through the final turn and used that momentum to slingshot off the bend and out to the center of the track to take third as they began the stretch drive.

Switzer Jr. finally let his filly loose as they stormed down the lane with the aggressors approaching. Withstanding the challenge, the daughter of State Treasurer scored by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:00.1, which was the third time in as many outings that the filly has lowered her race record.

Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. for owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., it was the third consecutive victory for No Small Wonder. Bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum, she returned $2.60.

W**e For The Lady finished second; Feel The Fury was third.

In the $5,200 featured overnight NW3500 Trot, Switzer Jr. came right back to score with Remember Titans in 1:58.3. Owned and trained by Zach Vickerson, he returned $3.00.

Nick Graffam led all drivers on the program with four trips to the winners circle.

First post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, for the meet’s final program on Sunday (August 2). Following this weekend, racing resumes at the Cumberland Fair for an eight day meet during late September. The Winter Festival at First Tracks Cumberland starts on November 8 for a fifteen-day meet through December 13.

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:
https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/

07/31/2026

Platinum Shark driven by Nick Graffam at Cumberland Raceway on July 4, 2026.

To see more of harness racing photography and to order prints for your wall, visit: www.joeshawphotography.com

07/29/2026

Just Aftermidnight driven by Andrew Harrington at Cumberland Raceway on June 28, 2026.

To see more harness racing photography and to order prints, visit:
www.joeshawphotography.com

See

07/27/2026

Harness racing at Cumberland Raceway on July 25 and 26, 2026. Have a great evening everyone! See you at the winner circle!

To see more harness racing photography and to order prints, visit:
www.joeshawphotography.com

07/27/2026

Hayden gets redemption at Cumberland

July 27, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s entire group of 2- and 3-year-old trotters invaded Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (July 26), with all eyes upon co-track record holder Hayden as the filly attempted to avenge her defeat in her most recent outing.

One of four $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes on the afternoon program, the sophomore filly trot was carded as race seven and it was evident that the 1-2 public choice was back to her previous form. Trainer-driver Gary Hall left swiftly from the outermost post six with the daughter of Cantab Fashion and set a swift :29.3 opening panel, leaving three lengths back to the pocket sitting Pembroke Lady (Heath Campbell).

Hayden was then checked back to a more reasonable 1:01.1 midway marker, prompting John Nason to come first over with I Think I Can. Through the 1:31.3 third panel the pacesetting distaff had allowed the aggressors to get within a half-length of her command. However, things changed dramatically around the final turn as Hall gave the filly her head and she scampered off to win by 7-3/4 lengths, leaving the rest of the field in her wake with a mile in 2:01.3.

Owned and bred by Stephen Hall, it was the third seasonal victory for Hayden, which was just two fifths of a second off of her previous track record performance. She returned $3.00 for the fifth win of her career, increasing her lifetime earnings to $70,160.

Our Last Quote (Mike Cushing) rallied for second; I Think I Can was third in the $15,486 event.

The other $15,035 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting c**ts was a pari-mutuel dash with the Watson’s U Know I Know emerging as that division’s talent by virtue of his second consecutive victory.

Ken Watson drove the son of Whataworkout to another wire-to-wire romp in 2:06.2, scoring by five open lengths. Leaving from post two U Know I Know had 12 lengths on the field at the :31.4 opening panel, and after a 1:04 breather, 3-5 favorite Come On Charlie (Mark Athearn) had caught the c**t past the 1:35.2 third station.

Nonetheless, as soon as the leader heard hoof beats nearby he responded with a :31 closing kick to grab a new time badge.
Trained by Lisa Watson for owner-breeder Barbara Lawson, he returned $4.00 for his back-to-back triumph.

Pembroke Zagursky (Heath Campbell) was a fast closing second; Come On Charlie was third.

Earlier in the day, before the pari-mutuel card, Wilder N Idy also recaptured some of his previous glory in the $14,783 division for 3-year-old male trotters.

Following a miscue in his last start, the son of To The Hilt returned to his home turf to try to improve his fortunes for Team Athearn. Despite a bobble at the start, and spotting the pacesetting Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) six lengths, driver Mark Athearn managed to regain the gelding’s composure to get up in the final strides to prevail by three parts of a length in 2:01.

Trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Patricia Leavitt, it was Wilder N Idy’s third seasonal victory. Bred by the late Mike Andrew, his lifetime earnings are now $132,919 with 11 career victories under his belt.

Trottinfortreasure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

In the second $14,681 early Maine Sire Stake for 2-year-old trotting fillies it was a stable mate battle right down to the wire as Mikella Bella overtook the pacesetting Princess Caledonia (Gary Hall) after the filly went off-stride in mid-stretch.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer and co-owner Gary Hall, the daughter of To The Hilt won picked up her first win by a length in 2:09.4. Also owned by James Kelly Jr., Betsey Kelley and Kristina Hall, she was bred by Anita Anastosopoulos.

Cape Cod Friday (Dave Ingraham) was third.

Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers on the Sunday card with four trips to the winners circle, raising his stats on the seasonal leaderboard to 93 wins. Nick Graffam sits second with 70, and Aaron Hall is third with 59. Gary Hall, Marc Tardif and Lisa Watson each enjoyed a pair of training wins on the program. Michelle Lefebvre leads all conditioners over the Spring-Summer meet with 54 wins, while Bob Marston is second with 43 heading into the final weekend of the campaign.

Racing resumes on Saturday (August 1) for the final weekend of the Spring-Summer meet at First Tracks Cumberland.

First post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:
https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/

07/26/2026

Snowonthepines remains undefeated in Maine

July 26, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – While the industry’s attention may have been on the 60th Delvin Miller Adios on Saturday (July 25), Cumberland Raceway hosted their own showcase for sophomore pacers as two $15,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies featured the current, undefeated divisional star Snowonthepines.

The first $15,209 division, an early non-betting race, was another down the road performance for the daughter of Dude’s The Man who has never seen the back of a helmet. Scoring from pylon position regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. sent the fast filly right out to the front, right where she likes it, and proceeded to set moderate opening fractions of :30 and 1:02.1.

Just Delightful (Ron Cushing) sat a comfortable pocket trip, and as the field went toward the 1:31.1 third panel Joey Mosher tipped Heymickeyyousofine from fifth to improve his position. However, there was no catching Snowonthepines as she threw down a :28.2 final quarter to put the finishing touches on a 1:59.3 score, winning by a measured 1-1/2 lengths.

Owned and bred by Leighton Property, and trained by Marc Tardif, it was the fifth win of the season. While maintaining her unblemished record, and obtaining her 14th lifetime triumph, she increased her career earnings to $137,513.

Just Delightful finished second; She’s A Firefly (Nick Graffam) was third.

In the second $15,209 Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing distaffs it was all Dudelookslikeafily who put the field in her rearview mirror from post one, and never looked back.

Aaron Hall handled the driving duties for this member of the Tardif Taskforce, setting opening splits of :29.1 and 1:01 before any outer flow had developed. With Ekorus (Nick Graffam) sitting a tight pocket, Andy Harrington moved Race Me Ireland from third to engage the pacesetter as the field hit the third station in 1:30.4.

Down the lane the daughter of Dude’s The Man hit the afterburners and drew off by 4-1/2 lengths to win in 2:00. Trained by Marc Tardif for owners Leighton Property and Victoria Leighton, it was her third seasonal victory. Bred in Maine by Stephanie Gray, her lifetime earnings got a boost to $43,316.

Ekorus finished second; Race Me Ireland was third.

On the regular, pari-mutuel program drivers Nick Graffam and Kevin Switzer Jr. traded punches through the first eight races, with each taking four. Graffam came back to win two more to lead all drivers with six wins on the 13-race program.

Racing resumes on Sunday (July 26) with four $15,000-plus events for 2- and 3-year-old trotters in the Maine Sire Stakes. The action continues with another 13-race pari-mutuel card.

First post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:
https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/

07/25/2026

Freshmen sidesteppers soar at Cumberland

July 25, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Pine Tree State’s hopefuls were back in full force on Friday (July 24) at Cumberland Raceway for three $15,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing c**ts and geldings.

The first $15,328 division was another gate-to-wire romp by The Gucci Man and Kevin Switzer Jr.

Establishing calculated early fractions of :30.1 and 1:01, the son of Dude’s The Man played catch me if you can with the rest of the field. When The Gucci Man hit the 1:30.4 third panel, he was on top by four and looking for more. All alone, the duo rolled on to a 9-1/2 length victory in 1:59.4, the fastest division of the afternoon.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, the 1-9 heavy favorite returned $2.20 while posting a :29 final quarter in his second straight score. Justcallmebuddy (Aaron Hall) finished second; Duderrific (Dave Ingraham) rebounded for third.

In the second $15,538 division of the Maine Sire Stakes it was the first lifetime victory for Harriman who established a new 2:01.2 time badge in the process.

Driver Nick Graffam came from off the pace to catch the pacesetting Rustysonlytreasure (Aaron Hall) in mid-stretch to score by 1-1/4 lengths.

Bred, trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam with partner Aaron Merriman (yes, THAT Aaron Merriman), the son of State Treasurer returned $2.40. Rustysonlytreasure finished second; Destiny Is All (McGwire Sowers) was third.

In the third and final $15,328 division of the Maine Sire Stakes it was a second-straight wire-to-wire win for Top Notch Treasure who hung on to win by three parts of a length in 2:00, a new lifetime best.

Trained by Christopher Dubois for owner Steven Moskowitz Racing, Top Notch Treasure is a State Treasurer half-brother to This Dudes Perfect p,4,1:56.3h ($87,699). He was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe and returned $2.40.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers with five wins on the 13-race program.

Racing resumes on Saturday (July 25) with a pair of $15,000-plus non-wagering events for 3-year-old filly pacers in the Maine Sire Stakes, featuring the undefeated Snowonthepines starting at 11:45 am. The action continues with another 13-race pari-mutuel card.

Saturday (July 25) bettors will also be able watch and wager on the entire card from The Meadows, featuring the 60th renewal of the Delvin Miller Adios Stakes. First post on that card from Washington, PA will be 11:30 a.m.
First post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:
https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/

07/23/2026

Three day weekend starts Friday at Cumberland

July 23, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – There is a lot happening at Cumberland Raceway this weekend as a three-day run starts on Friday (July 24) and rolls through Sunday (July 26) with a grand total of 43 races going postward. In addition to the abundant on-track action, on Saturday (July 25) First Tracks will carry the entire 16-race card from The Meadows, featuring the 60th renewal of the Grade 1 $420,000 Delvin Miller Adios.

Friday’s (July 24) card features three $15,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing c**ts and geldings. With the freshmen sidesteppers making their second pari-mutuel starts of the season, it will be interesting to see which c**t or c**ts emerge as this season’s top contenders.

In the $6,400 overnight feature, trotter Party At Seven is hoping that the fun never ends as he looks for his third consecutive victory in race five. Saddled with post eight, can the 6-year-old son of Chapter Seven dominate as he did last week? He has been pegged at 4-1 with Nick Graffam in the bike. Remember Titans (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr., post 5) and TCS Brenda (7-2, McGwire Sowers, post 6) will look to test his staying power.

Saturday’s card starts early with a pair of $15,000-plus non-wagering events for 3-year-old filly pacers in the Maine Sire Stakes, featuring the undefeated Snowonthepines starting at 11:45 am. The action continues with another 13-race pari-mutuel card.

Saturday (July 25) bettors will also be able watch and wager on the entire card from The Meadows, featuring the 60th renewal of the Delvin Miller Adios Stakes. First post on that card from Washington, PA will be 11:30 a.m.

Sunday’s (July 26) program also starts early with a pair of non-wagering Maine Sire Stakes for trotters, followed by a 13-race card and several more divisions for Pine Tree State-bred trotters.

First post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:
https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/

07/19/2026

No Small Wonder is kind of a big thing

July 19, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – When the Pine Tree State-bred freshmen pacing fillies arrived at Cumberland on Saturday (July 18) 13-race card for two $15,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for distaff sidesteppers, fans may not have known that they were watching the formative starts of the state’s next Standardbred stars. But that changed quickly when the first division hit the racetrack.

Carded as race nine, the $15,158 first division of 2-year-old pacing fillies sprang from the gate with No Small Wonder (4-5, Kevin Switzer Jr.) sprinting out for an early lead in a snappy :29 opening panel. From that point the daughter of State Treasurer set a softer half in 1:01.2 with no outer flow threatening her dominance.

Down the backstretch Feel The Fury (4-1, Aaron Hall) tipped first over from third and got to within a length of the pacesetter into a 1:31.1 third stanza. Bettor’s Treasure (3-2, McGwire Sowers), who had the pocket for most of the mile was now third and slingshot off the turn with the leaders.

Switzer Jr. gave his filly her head as they rolled down the lane to score by two lengths in 2:00.2, a new lifetime best and just seven ticks off the track record.

Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. for owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., it was the second consecutive victory for No Small Wonder. Bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum, she returned $3.60.

Feel The Fury finished second; Bettor’s Treasure was third.

The second $14,983 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies was captured by W**e For The Lady in 2:04.1.

Heath Campbell cut the mile with Siri, but driver Aaron Hall took advantage of the modest fractions to come from off the pace and pass several horses in the lane to win with W**e For The Lady by two lengths. She returned $4.00.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, the daughter of State Treasurer picked up her first lifetime victory, and a new time badge.

Siri finished second; Bad Bunny T (5-1, Switzer Jr.) was third.

Dave Ingraham steered Married Man (1:54.3, $3.80) to an easy wire-to-wire victory in the overnight featured $5,800 NW3500 pace for trainer Bob Martson and owner Bob Kluchevitz.

Aaron Hall led all drivers on the program with five trips to the winners circle.

Racing resumes next week when First Tracks Cumberland will offer a three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet. Saturday (July 25) bettors will be able watch and wager on the entire card from The Meadows, featuring the 60th renewal of the Delvin Miller Adios Stakes. First post on that card from Washington, PA will be 11:30 a.m.

First post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:
https://firsttrackscumberland.com/racing-info/

First Tracks Cumberland

08/03/2026

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