Bangor, ME – An old handicapping adage insists that “mares get streaky” and that when a member of the distaff set goes on a roll, it’s best to climb on board and enjoy the ride. Since mid-September, what an incredible ride it’s been for Venice Blue Chip.
At Bangor Raceway on Saturday (Oct. 18), the 4-year-old daughter of Lather Up scored her fifth consecutive win with driver Wally Watson in his customary driver’s seat. Springing the lightning hot mare smartly off the car, Watson spun his charge briskly around the oval, leading the willing competition in a merry game of catch-me-if-you-can through evenly rated and rather brisk fractions.
After controlling the tempo, Watson turned his attention to controlling the raceway, holding a fast closing Dreamfair Fantasy (Andy Harrington) pinned to the pylons as a swooping Heides Watching (Kevin Switzer, Jr) simultaneously tried him from the outside, all while maintaining a confident half-length margin at the wire.
Trained by Mark Harris, the 1:57.3 win was the 10th of the season for the Derek Robishaw and Gayle Harris owned pacer.
In other Bangor news, drivers Wally Watson, Aaron Hall, McGwire Sowers, and Kevin Switzer, Jr all recorded driving doubles on the Saturday program.
Driver David Ingraham joined the hit parade in the afternoon’s finale, engineering the 30th career victory for the veteran pacer Yamaka (1:58.2-$4.80). The win was the 7,989th lifetime driving win for Ingraham who ranks fifth amongst Maine-born teamsters behind only Jason Bartlett, Walter Case, Jr, Billy Parker, Jr, and Bruce Ranger.
Live harness racing at Bangor Raceway will be featured on a three-day per week schedule in October with 3 pm (EDT) post times for the Wednesday twilight cards and with 12:10 p.m. starting times for the Saturday and Sunday matinees.
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.