Bangor, ME — A weeklong heatwave gave way to a weekend of torrential rain and the track came up muddy at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (June 23). But just as she had done in 254 starts prior, Western Stepp put her game face on while setting circumstances aside as she prepared to do battle over the soggy stone dust and clay of one her native state’s historic racing venues.

Western Stepp claimed the 60th win of her career on Sunday at Bangor Raceway. Holli Niles photo.

Sent to the gate by her longtime trainer James Dunn and in harness to veteran teamster Walter Case Jr., Western Stepp ($6.80) sprung gamely from the gate as she commenced her graceful glide over the sloppy oval. Through legitimate fractions on the off-rated oval, the daughter of Western Maverick-French Stepp dissuaded her detractors from pillar to post, withstanding a late stretch challenge by Orrsterror (Heath Campbell), while posting a three-quarter length margin in a seasonal best 2:01.1 clocking.

Owned by Diane Dunn, the win marked the 60th career bow for the 11-year-old Maine-bred who first tasted victory in the $54,783 Maine Sire Stakes final held at Scarborough Downs in 2015. Not content with a solo crown, she followed up her freshman stakes championship by claiming the sophomore laurels in a 1:57 effort in the $85,223 3-year-old final which capped off a brilliant 10-win season in 2016.

The fan favorite filly then went on to chart an accomplished course as a confirmed open-class distaff threat, winning top level events at racing venues all along the eastern-seaboard while amassing career earnings that currently total $462,896.

The win was one of two on the program for trainer Dunn who also claimed top honors in a $16,197 Maine Sire Stakes split with the 3-year-old pacing filly Mrs Foxy Roxy (Drew Campbell-2:04.3-$16.60).

In other Bangor news, driver Aaron Hall became the master of the mud on Sunday, working out victorious strategies behind three winning entries while Kevin Switzer Jr., Drew Campbell, and Case claimed two wins apiece.

Live harness racing is proudly featured at Bangor Raceway throughout the summer season on Wednesday afternoons with a 3 p.m. (EDT) post time while the Sunday morning matinees get underway bright and early at 11 a.m. Simulcast wagering is available daily in the grandstand facility.

For those not able to come to the track, wagering and live video on 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.