Bangor, ME — Raw and drizzly conditions greeted the faithful when the gates flung open on the 142nd opening day at historic Bass Park on Sunday (April 27) and on a day when Canadian wool toques and sou’wester oilskins were the proper headgear of the day, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. nonetheless commanded the foul-weather caps to be doffed, as he engineered a powerful hat trick performance in full defiance of the fickle Maine weather.
Switzer began his barrage with a strategic score behind Little Power (1:59.4, $7.20) for owner/trainer Logan Lanpher. Switzer grabbed cover at the half behind the front-running Vinovio (McGwire Sowers), drafting to the head of the stretch where he engaged in an epic stretch duel with Axion Hanover (Drew Campbell), before drawing away to a one-length margin at the wire.
The win was of two on the program for trainer Lanpher who earlier had triumphed with Cutter Loose (2:02, $3.40) who was in hand to driver Jason Bertolini.
With the taste of victory fresh on his tongue, Switzer made a repeat winner’s circle appearance in the next contest with Word Out (2:01, $5.20). Riding the pocket, Switzer was able to avoid commotion as the front-running Bunkndunk (Shawn Thayer) broke stride while rounding the final turn, and once clear the Ronald Dinsmore owned and trained pacer extended out through the stretch, jogging nine-lengths the best over the scattered field.
Switzer completed his triple with yet another off-the-pace score, sitting fourth at the wood with P L Pasquale (1:58.4, $9.60), as the field paraded in line to the five-eighths pole. Eschewing his protected perch, Switzer shook free up the backstretch, charging first-over toward the faltering speed of the pacesetting Vel Miss Taylor (Sowers) before eking out the win by a neck over the fast-closing Quatrain Blue Chip (Drew Campbell).
In other Bangor news, driver Heath Campbell made his presence known toward the tail-end of the program, carousing over a slowing surface and nabbing both halves of the Late Daily Double. Campbell engineered identically timed wins behind Shot To The Heart (2:04.2, $4.60) and Mocha On The Rocks (2:04.2, $2.60), and despite the modest win prices, the Daily Double returned a respectable $14.60 for a two-dollar wager.
Live harness racing will be showcased at Bangor Raceway throughout the mid-summer season on Wednesday afternoons with a 3 p.m. post time, and with the popular Sunday matinees going to post at 12:10 p.m.
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.