Maine native thrives at Bangor Raceway

Bangor, Maine – Tourists flock to Maine’s rock-bound coast and majestic mountain ranges during the summer holiday season but local born folk also thrive while relishing the splendor and beauty of their own native land. Harness racing horses, it appears, are no different in that regard as witnessed by the recent exploits of a veteran Maine-bred pacing mare named Western Stepp (Western Maverick).

Returning to her home track at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (May 29), the nine-year-old mare made amends for an out-of-the-money finish on the foreign fields of Plainridge Park last week while re-establishing her dominance over the local Pine Tree State distaff set.

Leaving smartly from the gate and leading every step of the mile, the Bruce Ranger driven veteran was never pressured while gliding through an effortless 57.1 back-half en route to an in-hand 3-3/4 length margin timed in a seasonal best 1:55.1. The win, her third consecutive top tally at Bangor, pushed her career earnings past the $400,000 level, much to the delight of owner Diane Dunn and trainer James Dunn.

The keystone win was one of two on the program for driver Bruce Ranger.

In other Bangor news, driver Aaron Hall once again held the hot hand on Sunday while steering three entries down Victory Lane. Hall’s hat trick came on the heels of Wednesday afternoon’s driving double, earning the 28-year-old teamster five Queen City scores for the week. Meanwhile, Dan Deslandes maintained control of his perch atop the Bangor drivers’ standings, as the meet’s top gun etched two more tallies on his holster on Sunday.

Bangor Raceway proudly features live harness racing every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) with the popular Sunday matinees getting underway at 12:15 p.m. Simulcast wagering is available Wednesday through Sunday from noon until 7:00 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway