Windsor, ME – In the harness racing equivalent of DiMaggio vs Williams, two mighty clean-up hitters slugged it out in the friendly confines of the Windsor Fairgrounds on Tuesday (Sept. 1) as Kevin Switzer, Jr and McGwire Sowers traded jabs on the raceway, en route to recording twin grand slam performances over the course of the 10-race program.
While each matchup held merit, no race better epitomized the developing driver’s duel than in the fourth when Switzer left mightily from post number seven, gunning Go Dancing A swiftly to the point, and opening up an early two-length lead over the Sowers piloted, The Shining, before even reaching the 1/8th pole station.
With the pedal to the metal, Sowers narrowed the gap slightly as they sped to the quarter in a sizzling :27.4, and gaining Switzer’s helmet as the pace deadened to a more manageable :58.2 at the half. Tracking each other in dogged pursuit around the lightning quick oval, the chase was enticingly strategic as the savvy sluggers separated themself from the field while posting a 1:27.4 clocking at three-parts.
Rounding the final bend, Switzer chose his lane and girded for the final assault as Sowers found daylight to the inside. And despite The Shining making steady and willing progress up the pylons, Go Dancing A dug down with resolve, refusing to be passed, while clinging to a 1/2-length winning margin at the wire.
Go Dancing A, a 9-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance, owned and trained by Zach Vickerson, was timed in a seasonal best 1:57 while returning $7.60 to win.
Switzer’s other three winners included JL’s Rock Star (1:56, $4.40), Massive Speed (1:55.4, $8.20), and YS Do It Right (1:57.4, $3.80).
Sowers’ quartet of scores numbered Vel Mrs Quick (1:58.2, $3.20), Parklane Terror (1:57, $14.60), Skyway Freakshow (1:57.1, $3.40), and Hesjustadelight (1:57.4, $5.40).
The battle between Switzer and Sowers might well be rejoined as harness racing resumes at the Windsor Fair on Thursday (Sept. 3) with post time scheduled for 2 p.m. (EDT). The 10-race betting card will be preceded by a non-wagering Maine Sire Stakes event scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
As is the norm, harness racing will be the featured afternoon attraction at Windsor throughout the 10-day late-summer agricultural exhibition. Saturday and Sunday post times are set for 1 p.m. (EDT), weekday posts slated for 2 p.m., while the traditional Labor Day program provides the grand finale beginning at 1 p.m.
Senior citizens (60+) will be afforded $5 admission to the fair on Thursday (Sept. 3) while veterans will received free admission on Thursday with military ID.
For the complete harness racing schedule at the Windsor Fair, please visit www.windsorfair.com/events/harness-racing/
The live video feed of all the harness racing action at Windsor Fair can be enjoyed online at www.youtube.com/@Mainefairharnessracing, programs may be found at www.trackmaster.com , while wagering for the races at Windsor will be available both on track and online on the Hollywood Races site at www.hollywoodraces.com.