July 12, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Aspiring horse enthusiasts from Camp Kippewa helped usher in Maine’s newest crop of 2-year-old pacing fillies on Friday’s (July 11) program at Cumberland Raceway, opening the day’s events with two $11,448 divisions of the Maine Sires Stakes.
In the opening round, just like the 1980’s pop song, the crowd clapped and cheered for Heymickeyyousofine as the 2-year-old daughter of Dude’s The Man was sent on a wire-to-wire tour of the southern Maine venue.
Trained and driven to victory by John Nason who set fractions of :30.4, 1:04.4 and 1:36, the soon-to-be pop icon is a maiden no more. Pacing her last quarter in :29.3, and winning in 2:05.3 by half a length over even money favorite Perfectly Lovely (Aaron Hall/Jimmy Nickerson), it was the filly’s first purse start, and first stakes victory.
Paying $4.80 to win, Heymickeyyousofine is owned by Jason Vafiades and was bred in Maine by Kimberly Vafiades, who were both on hand to celebrate the victory.
Dudelookslikeafily (McGwire Sowers/Marc Tardif) finished third.
In the second $11,448 division favorite McKenna Jeanne protected her pylon position and took command for driver Heath Campbell and set opening fractions of :30 and 1:02.1. The 4/5 favorite acquired some company as the pocket-sitting Snowonthepines (Kevin Switzer Jr.) popped the deuce heading past the 1:33.2 third panel and the pair raced eye-to-eye around the final turn.
Snowonthepines had the momentum off the turn and was hand driven to victory by three parts of a length in 2:03, which established a new time badge.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, the rambunctious daughter of Dude’s The Man paid $6.60 to win.
She’s A Firefly (Nick Graffam/Mike Graffam) finished third.
Little Macabee won the $7,500 Pop Up Trot Final from well off the pace in 2:03. Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Eric Bickmore and owner Maryann Tompkins, the 11-year-old son of Chapter Seven picked up his 43rd career victory and second of the season, paying $12.40.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers with three wins on the program.
Racing continues on Saturday (July 12) and features two $11,926 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies.
Leanne Marie (3-1, Mike Cushing) drew pylon position in the opener, and currently sits second in the point standings. Third place belongs to Chasing Dudes (2-1, Nick Graffam) who scores from post five in the week four Maine-bred test.
In the second $11,926 division the series leader, Lysiun, with three straight wins to her credit gets a new pilot in Aaron Hall for trainer Heidi Cushing. The daughter of Dude’s The Man has been installed as the 8-5 favorite, despite having drawn the outside post six.
For punters, there is a Trifecta in all races, and the program also features a surplus of exotic wagers. Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.
Live video and replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.
First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2.
