Bangor, ME – While the large and powerful stables often garner the major headlines, reality dictates that it’s the smaller “Mom and Pop” outfits that provide the backbone to the cards, that in turn drives the handle, upon which racetracks rely.
These trainers names generally will not be found among the upper tier of the leaderboard, but every once in a while they make their presence felt with success laden breakout days which capture the fancy of the fan base and reward their backers at the same time.
Enter Sherman Clary, Jr at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (May 13); a trainer who sent a pair of long-shot contenders to post and then promptly shocked the well-heeled competition in near identical three-wide fashion.
In the first race of the day, Clary’s So Unnsurreal broke fourth from the gate before eventually gaining a second-over trip at the behest of driver Kevin Switzer, Jr.
Swooping three-deep around the final turn, Switzer’s charge gained the lead by the top of the stretch and then gamely held off a furious late charge from West River Jordyn (McGwire Sowers) before claiming victory by a determined, yet diminishing nose.
The 6-year-old daughter of So Surreal, who paid $22 to win, stopped the clock in 2:01.1 while recording her first win of the year for owner Norman Black.
Stablemate, Melanie’s Jackson, spun a similar tale in the final contest on the Bangor card, settling last off the gate while driver Andy Harrington sat patient at the pegs. That patient strategy quickly transformed into bold aggression, as Harrington tipped his mount through a three-wide juggernaut, sustaining the drive from three-parts all the way through the final turn, before gallantly out-sprinting Little Power (Switzer), who had appeared nearly home free in mid-stretch.
Also owned by Black, Melanie’s Jackson, a 7-year-old daughter of Hypnotic Blue Chip, nabbed the wire by a a confident head, timed in 1:59 while returning a $17.60 win ticket to her backers.
The win was one of two on the card for driver Harrington who was joined by Sowers in the double your pleasure club on Wednesday. Switzer led all pilots with three winners over the course of the 10-race program.
Live harness racing is proudly featured at Bangor Raceway on a two day per week schedule with the Wednesday cards going to post at 3 p.m. (EDT) followed by the popular Sunday matinees, which swing in behind the gate beginning at 12:10 p.m.
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 the website at www.hollywoodcasinobangor.com.