Bangor, ME — The photo finish camera was put through its paces during the third race at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (June 16) as five horses reached the finish line within the scant margin of a neck of each other and with the outcome nearly impossible to decipher with the naked eye.

A blanket finish on Sunday saw Rose Run Slider skimming up the pylons to nab the win. Holli Niles photo.

Rose Run Slider (1:58-$13.00), the eventual winner, strode contentedly away third from the gate with driver Drew Campbell salivating as speed balls Rocnrolwilneverdie (Dan Deslandes) and Late Mail N (Shawn Thayer) jockeyed for position.

Approaching the half, Rose Run Slider’s scenario did not appear quite so rosy when the “Bangor Shuffle” began to back the hopeful through the field. Reys N A Ruckus (Heath Campbell) set up an outer flow which eventually included The Shining (Walter Case Jr.) and He Can Rock (Aaron Hall) with the seemingly inseparable field bunching up around the final turn.

Dragged back to sixth by the time they reached the top of the stretch, Campbell and his steed waited before finally finding the narrowest of openings up the inside edge. He and Rose Run Slider then began a mad dash for home along the treacherous pylon path, reaching the plate an official nose the best over a five-wide cavalry charge as the determined competitors fanned out five deep across the wire.

Rocnrolwilneverdie held gallantly for the runner-up honors while He Can Rock parlayed a third-over trip to a third-best finish.

The win was the second of the season for Rose Run Slider who is trained by Mark Harris for owner Gayle Harris.

In other Bangor news, trainer Karl Butterfield had an outstanding day on Sunday, claiming three wins, three seconds, and one third after sending 10 entries to the post.

His top placed finishers included It’s Above Me Now (1:58-$30.40), who secured a pocket trip for driver Shawn Thayer after the heavily favored Woodrow F Call (Dan Deslandes) rolled off stride before the start; Ohoka Johnny N (1:55.2-$5.60), who nabbed his third win from his last four starts for driver Deslandes; and Juxta Millionaire (1:59.3-$5.20) who with Deslandes driving finished a mere three-quarters of a length in front of his stablemate Pembroke Ranger (Drew Campbell) to complete a rare Butterfield exacta return of $15.80.

Butterfield’s hat trick moved his roster to within three wins of the meet’s standard bearer, Jeffrey Deslandes, who currently trumps all trainers with 20 seasonal scores.

Dan Deslandes continued his torrid ways on Sunday adding three wins to his meet’s leading tally of 32, as he steered Vel Straight Fun (1:58.3-$8.40) down victory lane along with the aforementioned Ohoka Johnny N and Juxta Millionaire.

Other drivers with multiple wins included Heath Campbell and Shawn Thayer who each claimed a pair.

Maine Sire Stakes action returns to Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (June 19) as the 3-year-old colt pacers make their second trip to the Queen City oval. Stakes action will be showcased in races four and seven for purses of $16,416 and $16,191, respectively.

Post time for Wednesday’s (June 19) card has been moved up to 11 a.m. in an attempt to avoid the hottest part of the day as a late spring heatwave closes in on the state of Maine.

Live harness racing is proudly featured at Bangor Raceway throughout the summer season this Wednesday morning with a special 11 a.m. (EDT) post time and with the Sunday morning matinees going to post bright and early in their customary 11 a.m. slot. 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.