Call Me Maverick breaks longstanding Bangor Raceway track record

Bangor, Maine … Call Me Maverick (Western Maverick) eclipsed one of the oldest harness racing track records at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (September 7), as he electrified the crowd during a blazing 1:53.2 jaunt around the historic Bass Park oval.

Reined expertly by regular pilot Michael Stevenson, the Maine-bred son of Western Maverick established the dazzling new standard for four-year-old geldings while erasing a record that had stood since the 2010 edition of the Paul Bunyan Invitational when driver Heath Campbell guided Doubleshotascotch to victory timed in 1:54.2.

Sent hard from the outside wing, Call Me Maverick was denied the early front end seat by Ohoka Johnny N, as driver Nick Graffam jealously guarded the preferred pylon perch through a torrid :26.3 opening panel. Revving his engines while drafting in the deuce, Call Me Maverick was content to ride Graffam’s helmet to the half in a reasonable :55.2 before pushing the pacesetter to the three-quarter-pole timed in an eye-popping 1:23.3.

Downshifting on the final turn before reaching for overdrive, Stevenson strategically propelled Call Me Maverick from the protection of the pocket, and like a slot from a sling, careened through the lane to post the 1-1/4 length margin timed in a career best clocking of 1:53.2.