Bangor, ME — Sweltering state of Maine afternoons provide ample opportunities for a wide variety of recreational choices as the dog days of summer begin to envelop the Pine Tree State. Backyard barbecues, island lobster bakes, and trips to the beach are all part of the quintessential Down East summer experience, but shrewd “Mainahs” know that some of the hottest times can always be found at one of Maine’s local harness racing ovals, and on Sunday (July 17), Bangor Raceway was the sizzling place to be.

Maine native Walter Case Jr. combined two of our favorite pastimes on Sunday. The veteran teamster won races driving horses with beach themed names, steering both Sunset Over Miami (Well Said) and Besidetheseaside A (A Rocknroll Dance) down Victory Lane.

Trained by Jamie Gerard for Strategic Racing Stable, Sunset Over Miami earned his first win of the 2022 season in a well-executed gate-to wire romp in 1:58.1. After throwing hints of a breakthrough mile last weekend and with the outcome seemingly never in doubt from the get-go this start, the 7-year-old veteran paid a respectable $9.00 win ticket after being sent to the gate as the third choice at post time.

Walter Case Jr. and Besidetheseaside A powered through the lane at Bangor Raceway. Shelley Gilpatrick photo.

The punters wised up in the very next race, piling on as Case and Besidetheseaside A sought to double up in the win column after last weekend’s seasonal best effort. Hopes for a preferred trip were quickly dashed as Case reined his charge to well back in the pack while Some Gold (Dan Deslandes) and Ohoka Johnny N (Nick Graffam) hooked up in an epic speed duel.

As the wrangling rabbits slugged it out through ferocious fractions of :27, :55.2, and 1:24.4, Case strategically sat before pouncing toward the weary warriors up the backstretch, marching confidently through the stretch to claim the 1-1/4 length margin at the wire.

Owned and trained in tandem by Ralph D’Amelio II and Greg Tulloch, Besidetheseaside A recorded his fifth win of the season, timed in 1:56.

In other Bangor news, Heath Campbell continued his torrid ways, posting yet another driving triple on Sunday’s card. Included in his tally was a 1:59.3 score behind American Flight (Panspacificflight) who recorded his first win since Sept. 13, 2020 for owner Bernie Garrison and trainer Neal Grass.

Maine Sire Stakes racing returned to Bangor on Sunday with both the 2- and 3-year-old trotting divisions springing into action.

Outlawofthevalley (Pembroke Slugger-Fox Valley Shannon) added hobbles while racing to a new lifetime best of 2:08.2 in the $11,289 freshman colt division. Kevin Switzer Jr. piloted the youngster to his second career win for trainer Marc Tardif and owner Leighton Property.

She’salilbitmouthy (Victor Blue Chip-Beluga) made amends for last week’s missteps, stopping the clock in a maiden breaking 2:10.2 in the $11,134 frosh filly split. Mark Athearn drove for trainer Gretchen Athearn and owner William Phipps.

Katahdin Mark (Noble Venture-Perpetual Notion) continued his near-dominant season in the 3-year-old colt ranks, scoring his third stakes win of the year in his $11,739 stakes grouping. Driver/trainer Gary Hall cruised down the highway in 2:03.1 for owners Betsey and James Kelley Jr.

Stablemates Maplewood Slugger (Pembroke Slugger-Maplewood) and Show No Tears (CR Power Glide-Crying Photo) were one-two this week with Maplewood Slugger taking top honors in the $11,761 sophomore filly division while her barn buddy settled for runner-up honors. Andrew Harrington was the winning pilot for trainer John Nason and owner Maxine Hadlock as Maplewood Slugger lowered her lifetime mark to 2:01.2.

Racing continues at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday at 3 p.m. (EDT). Racing along the Pine Tree circuit then transitions to the Union Fair meet which will conduct racing Sunday (July 24) through Thursday (July 28) with a post time of 2 p.m. Bangor’s summer meet will then resume with 12:15 p.m. performances on Saturday (July 30) and Sunday (July 31) before concluding with a 3 p.m. card on Wednesday (Aug. 3).

Simulcast wagering will remain available at Bangor Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.