Bangor, ME — The fireworks came one day late at Bangor Raceway this year when the noted father/son team of trainer Jeff Deslandes and driver Dan Deslandes lit up the track with a sizzling display on Wednesday (July 5), just one day removed from the Independence Day holiday.
The Deslandes clan roster was as hot as the 90 degree forecast on Wednesday as three winners from the meet’s leading stable blazed around the Queen City oval led by Swellendam (1:55.3-$11.40) who spun together identical :57.4 front and back halves to persevere by a neck at the wire. The win was the fourth of the season and represented a seasonal mark for the 10-year-old veteran son of Bettor’s Delight who is owned in partnership by Steven Blood and Dan Deslandes.
Despite evidence of impending prosperity, the fans still failed to climb aboard the bandwagon, even as the Deslandes juggernaut paid telephone numbers with Pink Delight (1:57-$31.40) in their next conquest appearance. Dismissed at 14-1 odds, the 4-year-old daughter of Huntsville powered her way to her third seasonal score while keying robust mutuels headlined by a one dollar superfecta return which paid out at a hefty $7,590.70.
The punters got wise in the end though, collecting dimes for dollars, as Grand Galop Semalu (1:57.1-$2.40) sent them all home as winners in the finale, as the 11-year-old class-master sped gate-to-wire while claiming the 62nd victory of his substantial career.
The three driving wins maintained Dan Deslandes’ third place standing on the Bangor leaderboard, four wins behind top-dog Bruce Ranger and three wins behind Kevin Switzer Jr. who currently resides in deputy-dog status.
The three training wins for the Jeff Deslandes stable added to its imposing, meet leading tally, as the roster now boasts 25 seasonal scores, more than doubling trainer Neal Grass’ second place skein of 12.
In other Bangor news, Heath Campbell and Bruce Ranger secured two driving wins apiece on the Wednesday program while trainers Valerie Grondin, Kimberly Vafiades, and Clayton Merrill Jr each doubled their pleasure on the conditioners side of the balance sheet.
Friday (July 7) will mark the first Friday session of the 2023 season at Bangor Raceway as the action extends out to a three-day-per-week schedule. Post time for the Friday cards will be at 12:15 p.m. (EDT).
Maine Sire Stakes action will be featured on the initial Friday card when the 2-year-old colt pacing division makes its first Bangor appearance. The $14,598 contest has been carded as a non-wagering event scheduled for noon.
Bangor Raceway proudly presents live harness racing every Wednesday at 3 p.m. (EDT) while the Friday and popular Sunday matinees get underway at 12:15 p.m.