Cumberland Run

Todd McCarthy, Dinges take Cumberland Run titles

CORBIN, Ky. (Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024) — Cumberland Run concluded its second harness meet Tuesday with a sensational card that included eight $100,000 finals of the Kentucky Sires Stakes.

Todd McCarthy, in his first year racing at Cumberland Run, won four of the 12 races to capture the driving title with 18 wins out of 56 starts. That was two victories more than his brother, Andrew McCarthy, and Hall of Famer David Miller. The Australian-born Todd McCarthy — who also won the meet earnings title with $624,430 in purses — is among harness racing’s brightest stars, including winning the 2022 Hambletonian with Cool Papa Bell at a record 52-1 odds.

Tony Dinges went 11 for 27 to take the trainer’s title, two wins more than Ron Burke, whose $347,050 earned by his horses led in purses. Burke is harness racing’s runaway all-time leader, including 15,213 victories and more than $343.6 million in purses.

“We’re thrilled to have so quickly become a must-stop for harness racing’s leading trainers and drivers and being part of a Kentucky circuit that is making huge strides, thanks to legislation passed by the General Assembly three years ago,” said Ted Nicholson, Vice President of Racing for Cumberland Run and its sister thoroughbred track Kentucky Downs.

The $100,000 finals were for 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds, with each age having male and female divisions for trotters and pacers. In addition, there were four Kentucky Sires Stakes for the various divisions of 4-year-olds, which had three $50,000 legs instead of a final.

*The 4-year-old trotting mare Railee Something went 4 for 4 at the meet with Andrew McCarthy. Coady Media/Maddy Becker*

The 4-year-old trotting mare Railee Something went 4 for 4 at the meet for owner-breeder Ronald Mersky of Paris, Ky., trainer Roger Cullipher and driver Andrew McCarthy. Railee Something won a $25,000 open trot in the meet’s opening days before sweeping the Sires Stakes legs.

Seven horses went 3 for 3 at Cumberland Run by taking their Sires Stakes final and two $40,000 preliminary legs. They included the 2-year-old trotting filly Yo Tillie, who is driven, trained and owned by Verlin Yoder of Columbia, Ky. The others were Hard Seven, Caviart Delight, Once in a Lifetime, Admiral Hill, Fearless Bettor and Bourbon County.

Favorites ruled the day, with only the 3-year-old filly trotter Tove Palema paying double digits to win at $22.18, with Andrew McCarthy driving for trainer Julie Miller.

Finals for the Sires Stakes increased to $100,000 apiece from $70,000 last year.

Cumberland Run’s 2025 racing dates are Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays Oct. 12-Nov. 4. The track has the option to race Saturdays Oct. 11, 18, 25 and Nov. 1. Check themintcumberlandrun.com next year for any additional dates.

Tuesday’s Kentucky Sires Stakes Finals results

2-year-olds $100,000 KY Sires Stake finals

Male trotters: Hard Seven (driver Todd McCarthy, trainer Nancy Takter)

Female trotters: Yo Tillie (trainer-driver Verlin Yoder)

Male pacers: Bourbon County (Todd McCarthy, Tony Dinges)

Female pacers: Caviart Delight (Andrew McCarthy, Tony Alagna)

3-year-olds $100,000 KY Sires Stake finals

Male trotters: Naked Cowboy (Scott Zeron, Dylan Davis)

Female trotters: Tove Palema (Andrew McCarthy, Julie Miller)

Male pacers: Women Layer (Todd McCarthy, Virgil Morgan)

Female pacers: Fearless Bettor (David Miller, Tony Dinges)

4-year-olds $50,000 KY Sires Stake third legs