Sunny skies and warmer temperatures brought out a nice crowd for opening day at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (March 21), with several regulars picking up where they left off, along with some new faces also grabbing the spotlight. However, the brightest star of the day was driver Dave Ingraham, who secured his 8,000th career victory.
It only took three tries for the 64-year-old veteran Ingraham to find the Cumberland winner's circle, moving second-over with seasoned trotter Little Macabee in the sixth to score comfortably by 1 1/4 lengths in 2:02 4/5 for trainer Eric Bickmore.
Given the nickname "Double-Digit Dave" by track announcer and simulcast specialist Gabe Prewitt during his most recent Pompano Park days, Ingraham lived up to his moniker. While steering the 12-year-old son of Chapter Seven to his 45th lifetime win, they returned $29.80.
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In the winner's circle Ingraham was surrounded by family and friends. With wide smiles his wife Kelly Case and daughter Kelsie proudly held up the bright blue and orange banner exclaiming the milestone victory, while his colleagues cheered for the photo op.
Driving harness horses since 1980, the 64-year-old had 72 wins last year with earnings of $607,509. Over his 46-year career he has driven the winners of $32.8 million and enjoyed a dozen seasons with a million or more in earnings. His statistically best year was 1995 where the Maine native won 403 races and $2.7 million in purses.
--press release (Cumberland Raceway)--