Bangor, ME – Maine’s glamour boys division rolled back into town on Wednesday (July 8) at Bangor Raceway for two $15,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old colt pacers, with Real Horrorshow returning to the scene of his lone defeat three weeks ago.
Now that the Pine Tree State-bred star has returned to form, track management allowed just win wagering, eliminating place and show bets, along with Real Horrorshow being barred from the wagering entirely.
Ironically, Rebel’s Revenge (Aaron Hall) became the 1-9 public choice and is the only horse to hand the previously unbeaten Real Horrorshow his first lifetime defeat.
Regular driver Kevin Switzer Jr. was back in action from pylon position in the $15,434 “Maine” event and proceeded to set moderate fractions of :30 and 1:01.1 while maintaining a two- to three-length advantages over the pocket sitting Rebel’s Revenge.
There was no outer flow movement past the half and into the much swifter 1:29.3 third panel as the rest of the field was over a dozen lengths behind the two leaders.
Down the stretch, Rebel’s Revenge tried valiantly to reel in the pacesetting Real Horrorshow, but to no avail. The wagering-barred “anointed one” tripped the timer in 1:57.3, grabbing his second consecutive victory and 11th of his career.
Trained by the senior Kevin Switzer, who also co-owns with Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., the son of Dude’s The Man increased his lifetime earnings to $118,381. He was bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum.
Rebel’s Revenge finished second; Ghost Of Winter (Joey Mosher) was third.
In the second $15,659 division for sophomore pacing colts and geldings the lukewarm 4-5 favorite Itsjustmony enjoyed pylon position, while even-money second choice Daytoremember was saddled with post seven and had his work cut out for him.
Switzer Jr. protected Itsjustmoney’s inside placement and rolled through comfortable initial fractions of :29.1 and :59.1, while Heath Campbell was parked with Daytoremember but ranged up to second position by the time the field hit the midway point at historic Bass Park.
Dude’s The Jet (Dave Ingraham) moved first over while heading to the 1:29 third station, picking up Nuh Uh (Andy Harrington) three-deep around the final turn.
When the cavalry charge of pacers hit the top of the lane, Daytoremember bounced out of the pocket and proceeded to take command by mid-stretch. While the pacesetter fought back gamely, the day belonged to Daytoremember in 1:58.3.
Owned, trained and bred by Valerie Grondin, the son of Dude’s The Man returned $4.20 for his third start and second victory of the season.
Nuh Uh finished third.
Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland hosts the 2-year-old colt pacers on Friday (July 10), with the 3-year-old pacing fillies back at Bangor on Sunday (July 12).
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: MaineSireStakes.com.