Another set of red and gold driving silks with a "C" on the sleeve will be on the tracks in Maine this year. Ron Cushing is back in Maine.

A Maine native who has competed in Michigan, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in recent years, has decided to come back to Maine. "I grew up in Maine. I guess I always planned on coming back to my roots. I had a plan to come back two or three years down the road. I had an opportunity offered to me, I guess the timing is now."

That opportunity was to drive for the Scott Dillon/Joe Nelson stable, based in Farmington, Ron's hometown.  "Scott called me and we discussed the driver situation in Maine. He offered me to come to Maine and drive for him and Joey on a first-choice type of thing. (They) have a pretty good group of horses."

Ron is only bringing one horse back from New York, a trotting mare that should compete in the top trotting class. He plans on expanding his stable over time, but his main concentration will be driving. "I plan on being at both tracks (Bangor & Scarborough) as much as possible ."

He is also planning on plying a trade as a blacksmith when he not driving.