Heath Campbell should have been a surgeon

Bangor, Maine – With the skills of a surgeon, harness racing driver Heath Campbell continues to dissect the competition at Bangor Raceway this season, brilliantly diagnosing the symptoms and then expertly prescribing an aggressive course of treatment, as patient after patient are discharged down Victory Lane with a newly minted clean bill of health.

The doctor was certainly in the house on Wednesday (June 29) as Campbell was called in to consult on multiple cases during the course of a mid-afternoon matinee session at “Bangor General”. Methodically progressing from triage to recovery stages, Dr Heath’s AMA rating (or is it UDR?) remained at an elite level following his inspiring performance.

His first patient was given an excellent chance of a full recovery as Campbell quickly got to work on a horse aptly named Excelant Chance (Mannart Howard). Fast tracked to treatment, the mare was quickly brushed from the gate to Dr Heath’s ever ready operating room, encountering zero complications before a seven-length margin timed in 2:00.2 was posted on her medical charts.

A sense of urgency was noted as the doctor was next confronted with a more elderly patient named Middle Aged Crazy (Yankee Skyscaper). With lights flashing and sirens blaring, Campbell worked with the speed of an ambulance driver as he rushed the 12-year-old veteran through a progressively quickening course of treatment. With precious time to spare, the patient was declared cured a mere 1:56.2 after surgery began.

Sometimes a more patient approach is necessary, and Dr Heath is certainly noted as a master of the conservative course of treatment too. Such was the case with Readyfortheladys (Always A Virgin) who was queued in the waiting room area as rival patients Zampara (Benson Merrill) and The Spy (Shawn Thayer) barreled through a classic speed duel, both apparently intent to arrive first at the Urgent Care Center.

When the front-running tandem were placed on oxygen at the half, Campbell was well prepared to bring Readyfortheladys (Always A Virgin) to the front of the line, administering a soothing balm of first-over ointment, before coasting to a 4-1/2-length margin timed in 1:55.2.

In these days of corporate medicine, a good private practitioner is a valuable find and the folks along the state-of-Maine circuit know an old-fashioned country doctor when they see one.

One could do worse than to become a patient of Doctor Heath!

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