Bangor, ME — Trainer Gretchen Rohr-Athearn has unleashed the beast within Lyons Shining, a relative newcomer to her well-heeled roster, who has now run off back-to-back victories for proud owners Brooke Childs and Barbara Dresser.
While Dresser is no stranger to harness racing success having been brought up alongside her parents’ (Harold and Nancy Dresser) Island Pond, VT and later Buxton, Maine based stables, these are high times indeed for Brooke Childs, who has just recently begun to dabble in the intricacies of harness racing ownership.
Scoring from the Bangor Raceway rail on Wednesday (October 10), driver Michael Stevenson aggressively protected his inside perch, securing the early lead by the 1/8th-pole before allowing the 1-9 shot, Venice Blue Chip (Kevin Switzer, Jr) to clear just past the quarter.
Once clear on the lead though, Venice Blue Chip slowed noticeably before suddenly rolling off stride, allowing Stevenson clear sailing once again as Lyons Shining led the pack around the second turn.
Sensing opportunity following the early confusion, driver David Ingraham quickly rushed Threetimessix into a bold first-over assault, hounding Lyons Shining through persistent pressure, and coming within a neck of their pacesetting rival just past the 3/4-pole.
But with a pop of the plugs, Lyons Shining shifted gears, shaking loose of her pursuer, before drawing clear to a 2-1/2 length margin timed in a seasonal best 1:57.3.
The five-year-old daughter of Sweet Lou, proving what magic can happen when a 1-9 shot finishes off the board, returned $15.40 to win while keying a $4056.20 trifecta return on a $1 ticket.
“I don’t think she felt particularly well when Brooke and I bought her but Gretchen has figured out what she needs” Barbara Dresser said, “She’s sharp right now and seems to love her job. And she’s had some luck which never hurts”
“We’re really happy for Brooke too. She is certified in Magnawave and helps Gretchen out at the barn once week. She was never able to do much with her first mare who was a wannabe runaway but she has been jogging Shine and learning lots about the business through hands on experience “
The business is fortunate to retain veteran owners like Barbara Dresser while attracting enthusiastic new owners like Brooke Childs. Together, they enable horses like Lyons Shining to “Rohr” with excellence on the raceways of the sport.
Action at Bangor Raceway now embarks on a monthlong hiatus in anticipation of launching its fall meeting on October 8. Live harness racing will be featured on a three day per week schedule in October with 3:00 pm (EDT) post times for the Wednesday twilight cards and with 12:10 pm starting times for the Saturday and Sunday matinees.
The only exception will be on Saturday (October 11) when Bangor will go to post at 3:00 pm while playing host to the three-year-old Maine Sire Stakes finals and the $25,000 renewal of the Fred Nichols Memorial Invitational.
Simulcast wagering will remain available during the September hiatus.
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 (http://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.