The 4-year-old running son of Alarm Detector was making his fourth start for his new connections, trainer Sara Harrington and owner Kyle Gibbs, and spent most of the past few years racing in the state of Delaware. Recently he settled for place and show positions during his acclimatization period, but burst out of his armor to take the part of the day.
As the gate jumped, To My Credit (3-1, Mike Stevenson) made an uncharacteristic miscue from the edge and moved back into last place, while Inquiring Mind (2-1, Steve Wilson) stretched the 6/5 favorite Brutalizer to a sharp opening panel. Harrington softened the pace and brought the field back to a 1:00.1 at the halfway mark, as the peloton followed in single file.
Kevin Switzer Jr. Little Macabee (9-1) pulled first over from fourth, while To My Credit had regained its composure after the cover in second over. The pacer took the opportunity to gain some distance from the challengers, hitting the third panel in 1:30.2 and gaining ground with every step.
Further back it was a race for second place as Brutalizer was five lengths in the field and could not be caught. To My Credit swung wide to take second place, Storm Bringer (7-1, Aaron Hall) was third.
BRUTALIZER REPEAT
Brutalizer paid $4.40 for the mile back in 2:01.1, earning his ninth lifetime win, and seventh of the season. His season total was $70,569.
In other news, everyone’s favorite octogenarian Bob Nadeau found the winner’s circle with his own Azariya. The 87-year-old team star scored from the pylon position and turned every call into a winning call, activating the timer in 2:00.1. The 5 year old daughter of Lazarus is also owned and trained by the rock-solid cement salesman, and she gave back $26.20 as an added bonus. The exacta paid $33.00, with 28-year-old Jason Bertolini’s On Line finishing second by a neck. The age difference among the passionate owner-trainer-drivers is plus-59.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. picked up four wins on the card, while Chris Long, a recent addition to the driver colony, picked up a pair of wins during the post-Thanksgiving program.
Riders are reminded to check the new condition sheet and our website for a host of exciting Winter Pop-Up Series for the month of December. With up to $179,000 in prize money, the races have provided both consolation prizes and finals for the six different events available.
Racing continues on Sunday (November 30) at First Tracks Cumberland with a 13-race card.
The Pick 5 starts with the third race; our Pick 4 emphasizes the tenth, and our High-Five Pentafecta in the final – all with a low takeout of 16%.
Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of racing next week (Fri-Sat-Sun) starting on December 5. The Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, December 20. Registrations close on Wednesday (December 3).
The 18-day meeting will run until December 21, 2025. Post time will remain 10:55 AM.
For more information visit our website: firsttrackscumberland.com/
Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.
For full race results, click here: American trotting results.
Through Chris Tullyfor First Tracks Cumberland
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