Oct. 17—CORBIN — On a sun-filled Sunday at Cumberland Run, horse racing fans witnessed some of the finest harness racing as the track launched its second live standardbred season.
The opening weekend included carnival rides and a stick-horse race for the kids, getting families into the spirit to watch the real races.
Kentucky’s premier Sires Stakes event for 2-year-old trotters and pacers attracted star drivers Yannick Gingras, Dexter Dunn and Todd McCarthy, each taking part in the competitive meet.
Yannick Gingras, inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2022, drove the 2-year-old pacer, Accede, to victory in the 11th race, giving Gingras his third win on the card and trainer Ron Burke a hat trick of victories for the day.
This marked Gingras’ first appearance at Cumberland Run, and he praised the event, saying, “It’s Kentucky. It’s crazy the job they’ve done with the Sires Stakes program. It’s second to none.”
The meet runs Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays through November 5, with the Kentucky Sires Stakes for 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds offering a series of races with substantial prize money, including a $100,000 finals for top qualifiers.
Other prominent drivers, including Scott Zeron and Tim Tetrick, also made their Cumberland Run debuts, adding excitement to the proceedings.
In a memorable 12th race, Verlin Yoder, a local favorite, stole the spotlight by winning with his filly trotter, Yo Tillie. Yoder not only trains and owns the horse but also drove Yo Tillie to her sixth victory in 10 starts.
Yoder’s story stood out for more than just the win — his journey into Kentucky harness racing has been a family affair.
After relocating from Florida to Columbia, Kentucky, Yoder and his family have established themselves as key players, with Yo Tillie leading the way.
Yoder, who trained horses at Hoosier Park before making the move, reflected on his path to success, saying, “It took me a year to get my feet under me, and I still don’t have them fully under me, but we’re gaining.”
His decision to settle in Kentucky was encouraged by fellow horseman Steve Stewart of Hunterton Farm, who believed in the future of Kentucky’s harness racing program.
Yo Tillie, who previously secured the $100,000 2-year-old trotting filly Sires Stakes final at Oak Grove and finished third in the $400,000 final at Lexington’s Red Mile, continues to impress, with six wins and more than $235,000 in earnings.
Ted Nicholson, Vice President of Racing for Cumberland Run, expressed his excitement about the turnout and the growth of Kentucky’s harness racing program.
“The horsemen here are some of the top players in the country, right here in their backyard,” said Nicholson. “It’s great to see the local community coming out and enjoying this outstanding day of racing.”
As the second year of racing unfolds, drivers like Todd McCarthy and Dexter Dunn are optimistic about their participation.
With more races on the horizon and a dedicated community of trainers and drivers, Cumberland Run is positioning itself as a key venue in the national harness racing calendar.
With the state’s investment in harness racing and growing attention from top drivers and trainers, the future looks promising for Cumberland Run and Kentucky harness racing.
