Bangor, ME — Dan Deslandes held the hot hand at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (May 15) scoring three driving wins from the 10-race program. While a hat trick at the track is an imposing feat under any circumstances, the accomplishment was made all the more impressive as all three winners came from Deslandes’ very own training roster.

Grand Galop Semalu capped a hat trick for Dan Deslandes at Bangor Raceway. Shelley Gilpatrick photo.

An in-demand catch driver (Dan was the leading dash winner in the state of Maine during the 2021 season), Deslandes nonetheless harkens back to a bygone era where well rounded horsemen captured the enthusiasm of the trackside faithful by presenting large rosters of fan favorites which they consistently drove themselves.

On Sunday, Deslandes and his protégés took center stage from the very first call to post as he sent the Reginald Duguay owned Bo Master merrily down the pike route to secure the veteran pacer’s second win of the season in a half-length, finish line measuring effort timed in 1:57. The win marked the 42nd career score for the 8-year-old son of Sportsmaster.

Classy campaigners have always been on the Deslandes roster with few as prolific as Rocnrolwilneverdie who mirrored his stablemate’s half-length, down the highway effort before basking in his 60th career winner’s circle appearance. Partially owned by Dan’s parents, Jeffrey and Kinda, the win brought a measure of international intrigue to the Bangor program as the simulcast was well shared along the beachfronts of Aruba where the elder Deslandes were vacationing.

Grand Galop Semalu closed out the celebratory day for Deslandes by mounting yet another of his patented deep rally bids en route to securing his 53rd career trip down Victory Lane. Two lengths the best at the wire, the 10-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven stopped the clock in a seasonal best 1:55.2 while claiming Bangor’s fastest mile of the afternoon for owner Lawrence Huckins.

Bangor Raceway proudly features live harness racing every Wednesday at 3 p.m. (EDT) with the popular Sunday matinees getting underway at 12:15 p.m. Simulcast wagering is available Wednesday through Sunday from noon until 7 p.m.