While driver Kevin Switzer Jr. may have had the hot hands winning three races on the Friday, May 12 program at Cumberland, all eyes were on Bruce Ranger after the seventh race as over 40 of his fellow drivers, trainers, family, friends and local horsepeople surrounded the hometown hero in recognition of his recent 10,000-win milestone.
The Maine faithful were all too happy to congratulate the affable reinsman, who became just the 19th driver of all time to eclipse a five-figure win total on May 9 at Plainridge Park. Mike Cianchette of First Tracks Cumberland and Mike Cushing of the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association were just two of the throngs of well-wishers in an overflowing winner’s circle presentation.
Ranger is member of both the New England and the Florida USHWA Halls of Fame, and cites Cumberland as his ‘home track’ having trained his first miles there as a youngster while growing up on his family’s nearby Norton Farm.
Because of Ranger’s lifetime dedication to harness racing and his considerable accomplishments in the sport, First Tracks Cumberland and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association are pleased to announce that May 26 & 27 will be known as ‘Bruce Ranger Weekend’ at the historic southern Maine oval. Giveaways, a special colour program insert, interviews and autograph sessions featuring Bruce Ranger will highlight the holiday weekend’s festivities.
Switzer Jr. got his hat trick aboard Easteriffic (2:00.1, $8.80), Mister Muscle (2:00, $6.40) and Paternity Suit A (1:56.1, $3.60), who is co-owned by Plainridge publicist Tim Bojarski.
Friday’s $6,500 co-features were captured by Lydias Liberty (1:54.4, $9.40, Dan Deslandes), which was just two-fifths of a seconf off the track record for pacing mares, and Osprey Delta (2:01.2, $5.80, Mike Stevenson) taking the top trot.
Andrew Harrington picked up two wins on the program, both of which are trained by his wife Sara Harrington. Nick Graffam won the finale putting his lifetime dash win total at 996.
Racing continues with Saturday’s program, which carries 10 races and includes the $6,500 Winners Over Pace. The wagering menu always offers a 50-cent Trifecta in every race and kicks off with a 50-cent Pick 5. In addition, there is a pair of 20-cent Superfectas (Races 4 and 6), a 50-cent Pick 4 (starts Race 7) and the final race delivers a 20-cent Pentafecta (Super High Five) with a low 16 per cent takeout. Post time is 3:15 pm.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)