Switzer Jr. wasted little time finding the Blue Seal Winner’s circle on the iconic Southern Maine oval, powering even-money favorite Eager Beaver to a 2:02 maiden victory in the opener. Owned by Sara Fernald and trained by Billy DuBois, the 3-year-old son of Gambler’s delight $4.20 returned.
The third-generation Maine rider came right back in the second, securing the daily double with trotter Foxy Trottin Stick in 2:01.2, his second two-hole trip of the day. Big Stick Lindy’s 9-year-old son paid $3.00 for owner-trainer Jamie Gerard.
In the fourth race, the 38-year-old teamster set off with Smokin By N in 1:56. An 11-year-old son of Mach Three, owned and trained by Scott Vickerson, returned $4.40.
The fifth race witnessed a new wire-to-wire route from post six with Ga Speed Matrix (2:00.1, $3.80).
In the $5,000 feature, Kreacher won by a neck in 1:57.4 ahead of the red-hot racesman. Owned and trained by Nancy Stewart, the 10 year old son of Pet Rock returned a whopping $19.60 to win. 3-2 public choice Wolftrax (Heath Campbell) finished second.
GO SPEED MATRIX REPETITION
Switzer took his sixth and seventh wins on the 10-race card with Ten Beaches Later (2:00.3, $2.20) and Gotta Minute N (1:57.1, $3.80).
While winning the seven-on-one trotting race program may seem like a magical feat, this isn’t the first time Kevin Switzer Jr. accomplishes this exalted feat.
According to New England running historian and Bangor track announcer Mike Sweeney, the top pilot has completed the task three times: Scarborough Downs and at the Skowhegan State Fair in 2014, and again at Skowhegan this year. It’s no surprise that Switzer Jr. is having another career year, having surpassed his previous earnings threshold of $2.67 million in 2023. This year he stands at $2.68 million and has 308 wins, with many races still to be contested.
In total, Switzer Jr. Amassed $21 million in earnings over his more than two-decade career, with 3,817 wins since he started driving in 2003.
In other news, Todd Whitney won the Maine Amateur Driving Club race with Keystone Maxim in 1:59.1, earning $2.40.
For the fifth season in a row, First Tracks Cumberland presents the Au Revoir Retirement Showcase, scheduled for Saturday, December 20. The event is open to 14-year-old horses who are racing or recently retired and have connections to Maine. Horses will parade in front of fans in harness or halter and be included in a half-page biography with their photo in the special commemorative program. Honorary horses must be present to participate and must ‘declare’ before December 3. To register your horse or for more information, send an interesting email to Chris Tully at: tullytrot@yahoo.com.
Race replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing/Video Replays tab.
Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday (Nov. 8), post time 10:55 a.m. The Winter Festival’s extended pari-mutuel gathering continues with weekend action (Sat-Sun) throughout the month of November. Cumberland Raceway will transition to three days of racing per week (Friday-Saturday) beginning December 5. The 18-day competition lasts until December 21, 2025.
For more information visit our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.
Follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.
For full race results, click here: American trotting results.
Through Chris Tullyfor First Tracks Cumberland
#Kevin #Switzer #wins #opening #day