Bangor, ME – Benson Merrill currently sits at the top of the trainer standings at Bangor Raceway, his 24 seasonal wins outpacing both the Valerie Grondin and Autym Sowers rosters who have earned 19 top placings each. But every so often, the 35-year-old conditioner feels the need to have someone else check up his horses as they leave the paddock while he dons his maroon and white colors to join the everyday sulky-sitters behind the starting gate.
Such was the case at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (Oct. 12) when Merrill named himself to drive in back-to-back contests, first with Bush Man N and then with Art Of Endurance.
Merrill aggressively rifled Bush Man N (1:58.1-$8.60) off the car, beating the regular catch-drivers to the punch, while securing the pike position after a brief tussle entering the first turn. Setting even fractions throughout, Merrill kept the ten-year-old son of Art Major extremely brave on the lead before refusing to give way at the wire, withstanding a persistent late charge from The Devils Cash and driver David Ingraham.
Owned by William Tracy, the win marked the 26th triumph for Bush Man N.
With barely time to savor his winners circle photo session before once again hitching up his sulky, Merrill changed tactics in the very next contest, opting for a first-over strategy with Art Of Endurance (1:59-$3.00). Sending his charge in pursuit of the front-running Ultimate Flyer N (Timothy Hudson) and inching steadily toward the rabbit, Art Of Endurance had all the momentum as he sling-shotted off the turn, eventually extending out to a 1-1/4 length margin at the wire.
The win was the 26th career triumph for the pride and joy of the New York based ownership consortium of Thelma and John Kiernan, Jr and Thomas Bemont.
Merrill’s driving double matched those of fan-favorite teamsters, David Ingraham, Heath Campbell, and McGwire Sowers but was trumped by the meet’s leading driver, Kevin Switzer, Jr, who tallied three winners on the day.
In other Bangor news, price was the order of the day as a couple of stout long shots lit up the infield tote board on Sunday.
David Ingraham paid telephone numbers when he zoomed from last to first with the 32-1 shot, Downeast Foxy Lady (1:59.3-$66.40), keying a $2-trifecta return of $2,668.80. The win was the first for Downeast Foxy Lady since her 9-2-23 score at the Windsor Fair, also with Ingraham in the bike.
McGwire Sowers sent the crowd home to dream of future price plays when he scored a thrilling rally bid with the 25-1 shot, He’s Really Keen (1:57.3-$53.20). Combined in the too-three with On The Town (14-1) and KP’s Magic Macy (16-1), the longshot trio returned $7388.20 for a $2-trifecta ticket.
Live harness racing at Bangor Raceway will be featured on a three day per week schedule in October with 3:00 pm (EDT) post times for the Wednesday twilight cards and with 12:10 pm starting times for the Saturday and Sunday matinees.
For those not able to come to the track, wagering and live video for Bangor Raceway, as well as hundreds of harness and thoroughbred racetracks across the world, is available on Hollywood Races at Hollywood Races at www.hollywoodraces.com.