Mark Harris scores training hat trick at Bangor

Bangor, Maine … Trainer Mark Harris strode to the forefront at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (May 11), revving up the engines on his too-rated roster, while parading three harness racing winners on the Mother’s Day card in front of the historic Bass Park stands.

Harris benefited from placings in the first dash of the afternoon when the Nick Graffam piloted DT Petlot (2:00.1 – $16.60) was forced wide in the stretch by the front-running Pembroke Junebug (Heath Campbell). Finishing a mere head behind the offending rabbit, DT Petlot was awarded his first win of the season, after being elevated to the gold medal platform following confirmation of the interference at the conclusion of the judges inquiry.

Of particular note, the placings were the first made with the aid of Bangor’s new head-on stretch camera – the first such technology installed at any racetrack in Maine.

The Harris roster continued to benefit from the misfortune of others later in the card as Jason Bertolini guided Urika Blue Chip (2:01.2 – $6.40) first to the wire despite three separate cases of interference being detected by the judges. Bertolini, keeping his head while being forced into the pylons around the final turn, posted the first win of the season for the five-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight who thrived while dropping down to the Maine Amateur Driving Club level for the occasion.

URIKA BLUE CHIP REPLAY

The Harris hat trick was copped off in a more conventional manner by Axion Hanover (1:58.1 – $3.60) and driver Drew Campbell who courageously charted a first-over course to eke out the score by the margin of a neck. The win was the 15th career victory for the Gayle Harris owned pacer.

In other Bangor news, wins streaks were extended out to three-in-a-row by a pair of marauding campaigners as Profit Blue Chip (Rock N Roll Heaven) (2:01.2 – $3.60) snared his 40th career score with Hunter Lofthus driving for trainer Benson Merrill, and later as driver Heath Campbell guided Word Out (2:00.1 – $15.00) to his 20th career victory, keeping the veteran pacer brave despite never having seen the wood after leaving from the eight-hole.

PROFIT BLUE CHIP REPLAY

 

Bangor Raceway will be dark until May 21 at which time live harness racing will be showcased throughout the mid-summer season on Wednesday afternoons with a 3:00 pm post time, and with the popular Sunday matinees going to post at 12:10 pm.

For those not able to come to the track, wagering and live video for Bangor Raceway, as well as hundreds of harness and thoroughbred racetracks across the world, is available on Hollywood Races at www.hollywoodraces.com.

For complete information regarding live racing, simulcast wagering, gaming, dining, and hotel accommodations at Bangor’s Hollywood Casino and Raceway, please visit the website at www.hollywoodcasinobangor.com.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway