KP’s Magic Macy beats the boys at Bangor

Bangor, Maine …. KP’s Magic Macy (Rockin Image) has emphatically stated her case for Maine’s distaff pacer of the year honors all season long, but on Wednesday (July 16) she placed the exclamation mark on her imposing credentials, wiring over an accomplished harness racing field of mix-sex pacers, while securing her seventh top placing of the 2025 season.

Ignoring her solid seasonal stats and perhaps honing in on her first off-the-board finish in last, the punters relegated her to the 5-2 second choice as she set her gaze upon battling boys for the first time this season. The streaking Cumberland invader, PBR Street Gang (Aaron Hall) garnered lukewarm favorite status at 2-1 odds as the fickle fans deserted their distaff darling in favor of the fresh new face.

When the wings folded though, the favorite was nowhere to be found as driver Heath Campbell hustled KP’s Magic Macy smartly into the first turn. Quickly dissuading Orrsterror (Shawn Thayer) and Fern Hill Flight (Kevin Switzer, Jr) who aggressively fired off the car, Campbell was gradually allowed to deaden the pace, strolling to the quarter in a pedestrian :29 clocking before further calming the tempo to a 58.4 half.

Awakened from the pacesetter’s hypnotically induced slumber, Drew Campbell and De Chirico then launched a first-over assault against his brother’s charge but was unable to advance much beyond KP’s Magic Macy’s wheel as steady fractions coupled with dogged determination kept the mare brave and entrenched upon the lead.

In hand to the wire in an easy 1:57.4, KP’s Magic Macy reveled in her 1-1/2 length victory over the pocket riding Orrsterror, with the valiant De Chirico settling for third.

KP’S MAGIC MARY REPLAY

Trained by Kandace Niles for owner Shawn J Gray, the six-year-old daughter of Rockin Image increased her seasonal bankroll to $21,010 while fortifying her impressive (11 for 12) on-the-board ration to a gaudy .917.

The win was one of two on the card for trainer Kandace Niles who two races earlier scored top honors with Shot To The Heart (1:59.4-$9.80). That victory marked the first of three consecutive wins for driver Heath Campbell who sandwiched the Niles scores around a determined gate-to-wire glide with Empereurthebest FR (2:00-$12.80) for trainer James Dunn.

In other Bangor news, driver Kevin Switzer, Jr continued along the torrid trail on Wednesday, posting four wins on the program after securing five top placings on the prior Sunday’s card. Switzer now sits powerfully atop the Bangor leaderboard with 35 top tallies this season, seven more than his closest rival, Heath Campbell.

Maine Sire Stakes action returns to Bangor Raceway on Sunday (July 13) when the three-year-old filly pacers invade the Queen City. The sophomore lasses will contest twin-splits for purses in excess of $11,000 per dash.

Bangor Raceway’s summer meet will conclude with an edition of its popular Sunday matinee, going to post at 12:10 pm on July 20th. Harness racing will make a quick reappearance at venerable Bass Park though when the ponies will headline the Thursday (July 24) evening session of the Bangor State Fair with a 6:00 pm performance under the lights.

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