Big crowd sees The Bird Dance N soar in Nichols Memorial

Bangor, Maine … The largest crowd of the season thronged to Bangor Raceway on Sunday (July 2) to witness the one of the preeminent invitational events of the 2023 state-of-Maine harness racing season; the $25,000 Fred Nichols Memorial Pace which honors the memory of the long serving Bangor Raceway executive and official.

Riding a four-race win streak and heavily favored by the Bangor faithful, The Bird Dance N and driver Nick Graffam turned the big money contest (in Maine, a $25,000 purse isn’t bird seed) into a figurative waltz through the aviary as the well-meant pair dazzled over a mist shrouded yet fleet rated course.

Flaunting his renowned gate speed, The Bird Dance N powered to an early advantage, leading his accomplished foes in a merry game of catch-me-if-you-can, pushed through a steady opening panel of :28 by an early, wide-side challenge from Something Bettor A (Ron Cushing).

Graffam and The Bid Dance N were never “lapped-on” at any portion of the mile though as the daring duo held the field comfortably at bay, reaching the half, two-lengths the best, timed in a legitimate 56.2. Stepping slightly on the gas Graffam extended their margin to four-lengths, reaching the three-quarter-pole in an un-aided 1:24.3, before coasting to a 1-1/4 length victory timed in an in-hand 1:55.1.

Alex Having Fun (Aaron Hall) employed a perfectly executed second over strategy while rallying for runner-up honors, while Adriano Hanover (Walter Case, Jr) came from the dreaded fourth-over position to grab the show dough.

The Bird Dance N was sent to the gate as the 3-2 favorite, returning a fair $5 cash out  on two dollar wager as the “Calc Room” figured no breakage on the bet.

The eight-year-old son of Rocknroll Dance-This Bird Has Flown, who was trained to his seventh win of the year by Karl Butterfield for owner Jose Cervantes, earns an automatic invitation (along with Alex Having Fun) to First Tracks Cumberland’s upcoming $25,000 invitational event.

Beginning in July, Friday cards will be added to the Bangor Raceway schedule as the Queen City oval will proudly present live harness racing every Wednesday and Friday with post time at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) while the popular Sunday matinees get underway at 12:15 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway