by Fred Nichols, Race Secretary, Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway

Bangor, ME — The 2017 Paul Bunyan Invitational pace is over and for the first time in the 24-year history of the event, a mare stood in the winner’s circle at Hollywood Bangor Raceway.

Shesjustadelight N, a 7-year-old New Zealand bred by Bettor’s Delight, thrilled the largest crowd of the year at Bangor by taking the lead at the top of the homestretch and widening it to win by 1-1/2 lengths at the finish. The race was timed in 1:53.4 on the half-mile oval, a new state record for older mares. It was only the second time in the Bunyan Invitational that a mare participated and the first in the last decade.

The field of six was led to the half in a snappy :55 by the 2015 Bunyan winner, A Sweet Ride, who was overtaken by Hickory Icon by the three-quarter mark. Hickory Icon was on the outside for the entire first half and gamely held on for the stretch battle until Shesjustadelight N began her victory move and drew away for driver Ron Cushing. Pembroke Wildcat, Major Starlight, and He’s Marvalous finished third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

Shesjustadelight N was the betting favorite and drew a large and happy crowd to join her in the winner’s circle. She is trained by Heidi Gibbs for owners Kevin Sywyk and Ron Cushing, who has driven her in all of her starts in the USA.