Kevin Switzer, Jr wins five at Bangor Raceway

Bangor, Maine – While walking through the paddock after the races at the Skowhegan State Fair last month, Walter Case, Jr called me over. He was standing next to Kevin Switzer, Jr. who was in the middle of a blazing week at Skowhegan, seemingly winning every harness racing event in which he drove.

“Hey Mike” Case exclaimed while motioning toward Switzer, “I can’t beat this guy. He’s pretty good”.

It was a genuine tip of the cap from one of the leading drivers of all time toward a teamster who was firing on all cylinders while fully entrenched as one of the current kingpins along the New England circuit.

The comment elicited a smile from Switzer.

Case went on to win five races when the action returned to Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (September 6), only to have Switzer – who seemingly took that as a personal challenge – match that imposing tally with five Bangor wins of his own on Saturday (September 9).

The generational competition remains stern in Maine.

Switzer’s winning steeds included Ideal Rowan (1:58.3-$6.00), who won for the first time this season following an extended overland grind; Twin B High Tech (1:59-$2.20), who circled the field convincingly like a 1-9 shot should; Yes Oui Si (2:00-$8.40), who answered in the affirmative after wearing down the competition with a determined overland march; Meetmeatthedance (2:00-$12.20) who took advantage of a reasonable grouping after being beaten by an average of 14-lengths in each of his last four starts; and Beyond The Past (1:58.1-$20.20), who blew up the tote board at 9-1 odds while keying a hefty $3472.60 trifecta return.

Switzer’s efforts elevated him to the top slot atop the Bangor leaderboard with 43 local wins over the first 27 days of the season, two wins more than last week’s top dog, Bruce Ranger.

And with 13 race days remaining in the Bangor meet, the competition promises to remain keen indeed.

In other Bangor news, driver Heath Campbell spun a brilliant three win performance on Saturday to solidify his position in fourth place on the leading drivers list. Included in his tally was a convincing win with Pembroke Honcho (1:59.1-$4.80) in the Ed Reynolds Memorial Trot which is held annually at Bangor Raceway to honor the long-serving employee.

Live harness racing resumes at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (September 13) with post time slated at 3:00p.m. (EDT) with the truncated September portion of the meet concluding on Saturday (Septemeber 16) at 12:15 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway