Bangor, ME — Driver Dan Deslandes revved up the engine at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (May 19), building upon his meet’s leading dash tally by teaming three more winners.

Drivers Dan Deslandes (right) and Heath Campbell chat in the Bangor Raceway paddock. Holli Niles photo.

Ohoka Johnny N (1:55-$8.00) propelled Deslandes toward his hat trick performance with a dazzling gate-to-wire victory, timed as the fastest mile recorded during the young season at Bangor. Primed to go, the Karl Butterfield trainee threw in identically clocked :28.2 panels at the quarter, half, and three-quarter-mile markers before strolling home in a leisurely :29.4 and coasting to the 8-1/2 length margin at the wire.

The win marked the 30th career bow for the 10-year-old son of Ohoka Arizona and was one of three wins on Sunday’s card for trainer Buttefield.

Deslandes then propelled Kittie Cat (1:58-$3.00) through a smart :27.4 opening quarter before slinking to the wire, 2-1/4 lengths the best. The win was the first of the season for the 5-year-old daughter of Sportswriter who is trained by Dalton Lee.

Grand Galop Semalu (1:56.2-$8.00) capped Deslandes’ three-win effort after the torrid teamster somewhat reluctantly acquiesced to a pocket trip behind the 14-year-old Middle Aged Crazy (Heath Campbell). Resigned to drafting around the oval, Deslandes held plenty in reserve before sling-shotting at the seven-eighths-mile bend before out kicking the veteran pacer to the wire through a gear-shifting :28.4 final quarter.

The win marked the 64th victory for the 12-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven and was the third consecutive runner-up placing for Middle Aged Crazy.

In other Bangor news, teamsters Walter Case Jr., Aaron Hall, and Shawn Thayer all enjoyed doubles on the Sunday program while trainer Eric Bickmore’s roster scored two wins on the card.

Live harness racing is proudly featured at Bangor Raceway throughout the summer season every Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. (EDT) with the Sunday morning matinees going to post bright and early at 11 a.m. Simulcast wagering is available daily in the grandstand facility.

For those not able to come to the track, wagering and live video on 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.