Bangor, ME — Russell Baze (12,844 career wins) became North America’s winningest jockey by aggressively controlling the tempo at the bullrings along northern California’s Thoroughbred circuit. At just about the same period in time, Walter Case Jr. (11,350 career wins) was rewriting the record books at harness racing’s half-mile track scene.

The common denominator between the two kingpins was their penchant for early speed, a hallmark that more often than not resulted in their ability to dictate their own terms from starting gate to finish line.

While not always as expertly executed as was generally the case with these two past masters, the strategy certainly continues to hold merit. And at times, such as Sunday’s (May 5) card at Bangor Raceway, the strategy can become an overriding handicapping formula.

From Sunday’s competitive eight-race program where the shortest win ticket came back at $4.20 and only three favorites paraded victoriously, five winners came with entries rambling on the engine.

Excelant Chance ($2:00.2-$5.00), Rocnrolwilneverdie (1:58.2-$6.00), and Vel Straight Fun (1:59.1-$12.00) fired off the car for driver Dan Deslandes while Dragonology (1:56.4-$4.20) and Rose Run Slider (1:57.3-6.80) struck the pike route for drivers Shawn Thayer and Heath Campbell, respectively.

Pocket trips turned into winning endeavors for the Deslandes driven Mr Fantasy (1:58.3-$4.40) while an identical strategy resulted in Campbell claiming the fastest win of the day with Lord Magnetic (1:55.3-$7.20).

The only horse who came from further off the pace, Mcnulty Z Tam (1:56.3-$8.20), pounced at the wire after settling in third as driver Thayer expertly threaded the needle through the lane.

Competitive fields have resulted in on-form racing, blanket finishes, and reasonable returns at the windows thus far this season at Bangor Raceway while the exciting and well received 11 a.m. Sunday post time has resulted in improved robust pools to wager into. And if form continues to hold, the upward trend figures to build as the Bangor meet ascends into week two of the 2024 season.

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.