Leading conditioner Benson Merrill is also establishing himself as a powerful force on the amateur circuit, winning both Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) races on Monday (Dec. 13) at Cumberland.
The Saturday (Dec. 11) card was postponed due to weather conditions, pushing the program ahead a few days when the track was in great shape for the vast majority of the day, which saw the first five races pace in 1:58.2 or faster.
The first $4,000 MADC ‘Group B’ witnessed Mighty American N charging out for the lead under heavy urging from Karl Butterfield. Jason Bertolini ducked in the two-hole with Led Schneppelin, with Benson Merrill and River Runs Deep sitting third into a :28.2 first quarter. Zackary Gray was the first to move with Drain Daddy into a :59.4 half, but his burst of energy quickly evaporated forcing Led Schneppelin to pull, followed by River Runs Deep past the three-quarters in 1:29.1.
By the head of the stretch, Merrill had the 10-year-old son of Riverboat King poised to pounce, and down the stretch they cruised to a 3-1/4-length score in 2:00.2. River Runs Deep is owned by Apolonio Garcia, trained by Merrill and paid $10.20 to win. Led Schneppelin hung tough to be second and Mighty American N was third.
In the ‘Group C’ second $3,500 MADC event, Merrill picked up a textbook two-hole trip with wagering favourite Bettor Attitude behind the pacesetting Librado Hanover and Ryan Hall to take the finale. Sensing the leader tiring down the backstretch to the three-quarter pole, Merrill pulled Bettor Attitude and took the lead heading into the final turn. Dakota Jackson challenged mightily with Milliondollardad down the home stretch, but came up second best. Trained by Merrill and owned by Apolonio Garcia, the three-year-old son of Bettors Delight paid $4 to win. Air Force Grad abd Jason Bertolini got up for third.
As always, the Maine Amateur Driving Club is sponsored by the nice folks at the North Yarmouth Blue Seal Feed Store and the Windham Blue Seal Feed Store, with leadership and support from Aimee Nichols, their dedicated territory sales manager.
Dan Deslandes had three wins on the program, including winning the featured $6,000 Open I with Deetzy in 1:56.4. Trained by Karl Butterfield for owner Jose Cerventes, the nine-year-old son of Jeremes Jet paid $18 to win. The three-peat gave Deslandes 54 victories on the season at Cumberland, which puts him in third place in the driver standings behind Drew Campbell, who leads with 64, and Bruce Ranger with 63.
Racing continues Tuesday (Dec. 14) and Wednesday (Dec. 15), with post time for both dates remaining 11 a.m.
The First Tracks Cumberland Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meeting continues with live harness racing several days each week through December 31, 2021, which is also the date of the track's special retirement ceremonies for 14-year-old Standardbred horses.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)