July 28, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – All four $15,000-plus divisions of Maine-sired trotters invaded Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (July 27) with several divisions captured by the usual suspects, yet others seeing some fresh faces emerge.
In the pari-mutuel $16,378 Maine Sire Stakes opener Whatawonder had fans cheering ‘What a horse!’
With no equine able to reach his bridle, as of yet, the son of Whataworkout romped and stomped to victory for the fourth consecutive time. Driven by Kenneth Watson for trainer Lisa Watson and owner Barbara Lawson, the heretofore undefeated gelding has never seen the back of a helmet.
Scoring in 2:07 in another wire-to-wire training mile, Liberty’s Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) got to within a half of a length at the wire, which has been the closest that any other foe has ever gotten to him.
Whatawonder paid $3.00 to win. Stablemate Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) finished third.
Next up were the freshmen fillies going for $16,341, with the even-money favorite Katahdin Mistress (Wally Watson) slow to get engaged. The first leave was Blizzard’s Fury (Swizter) who sent the daughter of Whataworkout right to the top in a 31.1 opening panel.
Ranging up on the outside following her earlier hesitation was Katahdin Mistress to challenge for the lead. From that point the pair raced ‘European style’ being stuck first over into a 1:03.1 half. While the field bunched up going into the 1:34.2 third panel, Katahdin Mistress got shut out of the two-hole and continued to take in that fresh Maine air.
Employing a second over move was Heath Campbell driving Pandemic Princess who swooped the other combatants and had just Blizzard’s Fury to catch. Andy Harrington hustled Barbella three-wide in similar fashion to lap the tiring aggressors.
At the wire Blizzard’s Fury held off the late charges to prevail in 2:06 by half a length. Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, it was the filly’s first lifetime victory. She paid $15.00 to win.
Pandemic Princess finished second; Barbella was third.
Before the regular card there were two divisions for Maine-sired sophomore trotters, with Chipper Dale repeating in his $15,983 3-year-old colt and gelding trot in 2:04.4. Driven by Drew Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin has emerged as the leader of the pack and has added considerable padding to his top point total. The son of Shake It Off Lindy now has three Maine Sire Stakes victories on the season for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe.
It was a Grondin double as Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.
The fairer set completed the quartet of Maine Sire Stakes, with Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell) taking the $15,983 sophomore filly trot in 2:03.2. Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder William Varney, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger has won her last four stakes outings and is the clear leader of her division.
Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) finished second; My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) was third.
In other news, the undisputed and still heavyweight points champion of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC), Hunter Lofthus scored another knockout blow to his competition. Despite being assigned the eight-hole, the 35-year-old reinsman picked up his seventh win of the season and scored again with his trusty steed Forrest Blu. Winning by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:59 following a first over past at the half, they paid $4.00 to win. The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
Drew Campbell picked up three driving wins on the afternoon’s full program.
The First Tracks Cumberland meet concludes next week on Friday and Saturday, August 2 & 3. The final day of the meet features the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, as well as full card simulcasting of Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands and Whitney Stakes Day at Saratoga. Gates open at 11 am, with the first pari-mutuel harness race set for 3:15 pm.
For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/
