Bangor, ME – Kevin Switzer Jr. kicked off a five-win day with a benchmark victory at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (June 17), as the 38-year-old Maine native secured the 4,000th driving win of his career.
The win came in stunning fashion as Switzer lit the board at 16-1 in the opening race of the day, weaving Neither Do I (2:01.3, $34.40) to the wire from the dreaded eight-hole, confidently stretching the margin of victory to 1-1/2 lengths, while relishing his latest criterion credential.
“I got a win from the eight-hole on a half-mile track, not always the easiest thing to do,” explained a jubilant Switzer. “I got a good trip, a little second-over trip which turned into the two-hole up the backside. I tripped her out and she did all the rest on her own.”
Neither Do I, a daughter of Heston Blue Chip, is trained by Charlene Cushing for owners Joseph Bradeen and Michael Cushing. The win was the first of the year and fifth career victory for the 5-year-old mare.
Reaching major milestones often offers a chance to celebrate, reflect, and offer gratitude; Switzer did all three following his 4,000th win.
“I won my first race at the fair at Presque Isle, Maine, with a horse from my family called Spend Allthe Money. He was a very special horse to us all and had been with my family for a very long time.
“Since then, it’s been a lot of ups and downs. I owe a lot to my family, my wife, my kids, my parents, my in-laws. It’s a lot of people who help me get to the races every day because it’s a lot of traveling, a lot of racing.
“But you know, it’s also the trainers and the owners. I appreciate that they trust their horses to me. And then there’s the horses. Without them I wouldn’t win any races.”
It’s a long distance to travel from a QF win at a track that no longer exists to becoming widely recognized as one of the leading teamsters in New England. And along that road in 2025, Switzer kept busy, winning driving titles at all eight of Maine’s racing venues while providing a powerful daily presence at Plainridge Park in Massachusetts.
And based upon Wednesday’s performance, midway through the 2026 season, the Switzer sizzle shows no sign of fizzling out anytime soon.
Live harness racing at Bangor Raceway during the month of June will be conducted on a two-day-per-week schedule, with the Wednesday cards going to post at 3 p.m. (EDT) and the brand new Friday matinee performances kicking off at 12:10 p.m.
Bangor’s traditionally well-attended Sunday programs will be on hiatus until the month of July.
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 www.hollywoodraces.com.
For complete information regarding live racing, simulcast wagering, gaming, dining, and hotel accommodations at Bangor’s Hollywood Casino and Raceway, please visit www.hollywoodcasinobangor.com.