Bangor, ME — Bangor Raceway kicked off a compact, four-day September meeting on Wednesday (Sept. 6), featuring twin splits of the rich Maine Sire Stakes sophomore colt division interspersed amongst a competitive 12-race program. But it was veteran driver Walter Case Jr. who provided the fireworks to herald the opening day festivities, mounting a five-win charge as the spotlight brightly shone on one of Maine’s favorite sons.

Case began his crusade by winning both Maine Sire Stakes events. Leaving alertly with Facemaskrequired (Deuce Seelster-Sally Pansen), Case and his charge were quickly joined on the outside by stablemate and accomplished rival Luke McGook (Kevin Switzer Jr.) as the two barn buddies expertly controlled both the tempo and the landscape throughout the opening dash. But it was Facemaskrequired who vanned home with bragging rights claimed after breaking his maiden (1:59.3) by a neck in his 19th career attempt, while claiming the lion’s share of the $14,692 non-wagering purse event.

So Rock N’ Roll gave his connections a sweep of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colt pacers. Thomas Smith photo.

Emboldened by success, Case then glided gate-to-wire with So Rock N’ Roll (Western Maverick-So So Sweet) in the $14,917 second division as the tandem tasted stakes success for the fifth time this season. Tripping the timer in a manageable 1:58.1, So Rock N’ Roll returned plentiful $2.60 win tickets while retaining a perfect nine-for-nine on the board this season.

Both stakes winners hail from the powerful Marc Tardif roster whose pupils claimed two wins, a second and two thirds during the two state-bred contests.

With stakes glory firmly in hand, Case next found success with the aptly named Virtual Success (1:58.4-$4.20) as he turned his attention to the overnight portion of the card. After working out a strategic second-over journey with the 5-year-old daughter of Betterthancheddar, the duo sling-shotted in three-wide fashion off the final turn while securing the second win of the season for the Allison MacDonald trained mare.

Downeast Spirit (1:57-$26.20) provided Case with an unlikely canvas upon which to paint his next masterpiece. Sitting behind the 5-year-old Maine-bred son of Deuce Seelster for the first time, Case overcame a near-impossible third-over journey, seemingly communicating telepathically as he informed the gelding that it was time to go. And go he did as he lit up the toteboard at 12-1 odds while taking a new lifetime mark for owner/trainer James Ramsdell.

“That was classic Case” remarked retired racetrack announcer Lloyd Johnson who called many of Case’s early wins during the early 1980s. “So many times we’ve watched amazed as Casey coaxed horses who really didn’t figure to do things that even they never knew they could do. Even after all these years he’s still exciting to watch. The talent is obviously still there.”

Case concluded his five-win score, working with the skill of a clinician as he soared gate-to-wire with Oceanview Echo (1:56.3-$4.60) for owner/trainer Dana Whittemore. Dominating the contest through perfectly cast fractions (:27.4, :58.1, 1:26.4) the daunting victors gave the field zero chance of advancing, while extending to an in-hand 1-1/2 length margin at the wire.

In other Bangor news, Bruce Ranger, whose 10,174 career driving wins compliments Case’s 11,294 tally quite nicely, scored a driving triple on the afternoon program. Michael Stevenson was the other multiple race winner with two scores on the card.

Live harness racing resumes at Bangor Raceway on Saturday (Sept. 9) with post time slated at 12:15 p.m. (EDT).