Bangor, ME — Class came to the forefront at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (Sept. 11) as Skyful Of Lighters (1:58.1-$8.80) strategically pounced to the wire while securing his 40th career win with driver David Ingraham commanding from his customary seat.
Ingraham quickly secured the pocket journey behind the early speed of Melanie’s Jackson (McGwire Sowers), a New York invader who was attempting to ‘drop and pop’ upon making his first state-of-Maine start. Through easy, yet legitimate, fractions the pair set the standard around the oval as the field bunched up around them but the battle was truly enjoined at the head of the stretch when the stampede to the wire resulted in a classic three-way photo for the win.
The photo revealed that Skyful Of Lighters was able to poke his head to the wire mere inches in front of Melanie’s Jackson (who finished second) and scant milliseconds before PC’s Expresso (Kevin Switzer Jr.) burst up the rail to nab third.
Skyful Of Lighters, a 13-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight out of the regally bred broodmare Lisheen, is owned and trained by Kelly Case. His 40th win elevated his career bankroll to $525,572.
The win was one of three on the program for driver Ingraham who also paraded victoriously with Carracci Hanover (1:57.4-$35.80) and Hula’s Boy (1:57.3-$15.00).
In other Bangor news, drivers Drew and Heath Campbell both joined Ingraham in posting hat trick performances on Wednesday, the final race day at Bangor Raceway until the fall meet opens on Oct. 12.
Maine’s harness racing circuit will now embark upon its fall fairground swing starting with the Farmington Fair meet which commences on Sunday (Sept. 15) and runs daily through the following Saturday with post times slated at 2 p.m.