Arsenal ending career with a bang

Bangor, Maine — Like his namesake, the storied British football club, Arsenal (Artiscape – Truculent Lady) the racehorse has never been a second division foe. From his winter stomping grounds at Pompano Park to his summer digs along the Pine Tree circuit in Maine, the veteran harness racing pacer’s presence has been felt and celebrated for over a decade all along the eastern seaboard.

And now, in the midst of his final campaign, the 14-year-old appears quite intent on leaving the playing field on his own terms.

On a balmy Bangor Saturday (July 30), owner/trainer Kelly Case sent her iron-sided stable star to the post for the 420th in his career and the classy warhorse steeled himself as he rose to meet his latest challengers. Content to let the relative youngsters frolic on the pace, Arsenal and his regular driver, David Ingraham, sat well back of the pack, shielded from the limelight and dismissed as an afterthought at 8-1 odds.

The pair pounced off the pylons as cover developed through and swelling up as the back-half tempo moderated, gallantly sailed past his more handsomely regarded combatants to post the 1-1/4 length margin. The win, timed in 1:58.3, was Arsenal’s 5th of the season and the 54th of his gallant career.

As the Bangor summer meeting winds down this week and the state of Maine action heads out along the fairground circuit, there’s still plenty of time for Arsenal to add to his accolades before industry age restrictions mandate his well-earned retirement.

And while, cruelly, he will be denied an opportunity to hang up his bridle at the defunct Pompano Park, his state of Maine fans will be more than happy to join in a chorus of Auld Lang Syne during First Track Cumberland’s retirement ceremony in December.

Bangor Raceway will conclude its summer meeting on Wednesday (August 3) with a 3:00 matinee featuring the return of Maine Sire Stakes action to the Queen City oval.

State of Maine action transitions to the Topsham Fair which will conduct its meet from August 7 though 13.

Simulcast wagering will remain available at Bangor Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 7:00 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway