Spodog is top dog in Moxie

Bangor, Maine ….Moxie is the quintessential carbonated beverage of the state-of-Maine, sweet but bitter, strong yet refined, a regional favorite that often appears mysterious to Maine’s summertime tourist crowd. It is also the namesake of a lucrative late-closing harness racing event being held at Bangor Raceway which offers mid-range trackmaster classified pacers an opportunity to race for enhanced offerings. With a pair of $6500 elimination legs leading up to an $8500 final and a $6500 consolation to be carded on Wednesday (June 18) at historic Bass Park, the competition has been keen indeed.

Spodog (1:59.1-$9.80) became one of the big dogs, coming to the forefront of consciousness in the Moxie on Wednesday (June 11) when driver Aaron Hall rallied the Johnathon Breshnahan trainee from last to first while weaving to find the fleetest path through a crowded stretch.

Shuffled back to last after Bushman N (McGwire Sowers) battled first-over against the front running Rey’s N A Ruckus (Kevin Switzer, Jr), Hall positioned his charge toward the slightest of seams off the 7/8ths marker, tripping four-wide through the lane,  to secure the score by the scant margin of a neck.

The courageous win was the first in 17 seasonal attempts for the six-year-old son of Luck Be with You.

SPODOG REPLAY

Spodog joined the Steven Wilson teamed St Lad’s Thriller (1:58.3-$29.00) and Wallace Watson’s Terror Hall (1:56.4-$12.60) as second leg victors in the Moxie.

Terror Hall, the lone repeat winner from leg one, is the point leader heading into next week’s $8500 final. The veteran son of Western Terror figures to be among the wagering favorites in the big dance on Wednesday despite being dismissed at 9-1 and 5-1 odds in both elimination legs.

In other Bangor news, Aaron Hall and Andrew Harrington each scored driving doubles on the Wednesday matinee card with both of Harrington’s scores coming from his own, well considered, roster.

Maine Sire Stakes action makes its 2025 debut at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (June 15) as the three-year-old trotting divisions take center stage at the Queen City oval for purses estimated at $10,500 per dash.

Bangor Raceway will showcase live harness racing throughout the mid-summer season, featuring sessions on Wednesday afternoons with a 3:00 pm post time, and 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