Pacing mare Humor Me laughed all the way to the bank on a brisk Friday (Nov. 18) afternoon, taking the $4,600 featured fillies and mares conditioned pace at First Tracks Cumberland.
Driven by Aaron Hall, the 4-5 post time wagering favourite blasted out for the lead from post three, only to yield to Rojas Blue Chip (Mike Stevenson) and then retake setting a :28.3 opening panel. As the field went past the :59.4 half-mile marker, the combatants were in perfect alignment, forcing the hand of Walter Case Jr. and Millwood Faith N to move first-over from last.
With the outer flow failing to advance, Kevin Switzer Jr. swung Virtual Success three-wide around the final turn and made a valiant charge toward the leaders. Humor Me hung tough to the wire and prevailed by a length over Millwood Faith N in 2:00. Virtual Express got up for third.
Humor Me paid $3.60 to win and picked up her 10th victory of the year. The seven-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight is owned by Peter Haskell and was in for a $4,800 claiming tag (with allowance) under the tutelage of conditioner Kimberly Vafiades.
Aspiring reinsman Dakota ‘Action’ Jackson took on the big boys and prevailed with his own Valiant Ivy in a $4,000 conditioned pace. Scoring from post six, 24-year-old Jackson got shuffled back to last in the early going, but swooped the field going down the home stretch to win 2:02.1. Valiant Ivy paid $10.80 to win. The seven-year-old son of Jeremes Jet is owned, trained and driven by Jackson, which was the first local victory in four seasonal starts for the Michigan native.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)