Campbell brings the sizzle to the griddle

Bangor, Maine …. As the east coast heatwave dissolved into the Atlantic, harness racing returned to the torrid oval at historic Bass Park. And under the warm and breezy conditions, the re-homed Freehold Raceway water truck did yeoman’s duty to keep the dust at bay, but myriads of water could do nothing to dampen the molten-like action of the late afternoon card at Bangor Raceway.

Driver Heath Campbell brought the sizzle to the griddle with a pair of well-meant winners on Wednesday (June 25), augmenting his position as one of the leading teamsters to grace the Queen City Oval this season.

KP’s Magic Macy (1:56.2-$4.40) turned in yet another eye-popping performance under Campbell’s care, leaving smartly from the gate, gaining the lead before reaching the 1/8th-pole, and then leading a group of distaff challengers through a merry game of catch-me-if-you-can.

Jauntily gliding through an effortless :57.3 back-half, the six year-old daughter of Rockin’ Image  proved a formidable pacesetter, not allowing any of her pursuers to even reach her wheels until the final strides, while posting her sixth win from just nine seasonal starts.

KP’S MAGIC MACY REPLAY

KP’s Magic Macy is trained by Kandace Niles for owner Shawn J Gray.

Campbell then went from sitting on the sidelines to standing in the winners circle  when he was given the late, race-day, catch-driving assignment on K D Overdrive.

Trained by Stephen Mason, the twelve-year-old son of Camystic, making his second local start since crossing the border from New Brunswick , ground out a thrilling first-over tour de force after getting flushed from the pegs just prior to the half. Preserving through identical 58.4 halves, Campbell kept his charge on the bit while making steady overland progress toward the pacesetter, overtaking The Shining (Shawn Thayer) in the final strides, while securing the 51st career victory for the veteran Maritime-bred campaigner.

KD OVERDRIVE REPLAY

Drivers Kevin Switzer, Jr and Drew Campbell joined Heath in scoring driving doubles on the program, keeping pace with each other as the Bangor Raceway leaderboard remained largely unchanged following Wednesday’s card. Switzer retains top dog honors with 21 seasonal wins, trailed by Drew Campbell with 19 local scores, and with Heath Campbell now tied with McGwire Sowers for third place honors with 17 top tallies each.

Bangor Raceway will showcase live harness racing throughout the mid-summer season, featuring sessions on Wednesday afternoons with a 3:00 pm post time, and the popular Sunday matinees going to post at 12:10 pm.

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.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway