Cousins in sync at Bangor

Bangor, Maine …  Imitation is said to be the sincerest form of flattery and so from time immemorial younger family members have strived to emulate the style and finesse of admired older kin. This scenario has played out through generations of harness racing families, where worshipful mimicking results in good natured competition, which often turns fierce yet friendly battles into finish line thrills for the fans.

Such was the case at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (6-28) when cousins Nick Graffam and Bruce Ranger engaged in a jovial game of Family Feud over a mist shrouded course at historic Bass Park.

Ranger, piloting Hired Hand in a $4900 colt-class event, left alertly from the outside wing only to encounter a steely-jawed Graffam who was intent on securing the early lead himself with the pole-sitting Axion Hanover. In deference to age, or perhaps to sheer determination, Graffam eventually relented to his elder cousin, reining his charge back to the strategic pocket seat while Ranger forged his way to the quarter in a fleet :28.3.

After slightly backing down the tempo to a moderating :59.1 clip at the half, and with Graffam breathing down his neck, Ranger stepped on the throttle in an attempt to shake the pesky kid while speeding to three-parts in quickly accelerating 1:27.4.

But the kid would not so easily be shook.

Pouncing out of the pocket as they entered the stretch, Graffam made steady progress toward his cousin’s front-end seat as a blur of red and gold colors worked their magic behind the pair of well matched steeds.

Imperceptible to the naked eye, It was Ranger who persevered by the skin of his teeth, holding youth at bay (for at least another day) as Hired Hand and Axion Hanover arrived at the wire, quite literally in lockstep, as track photographer Thomas Smith captured the stunning image of the two horses seemingly melding into one.

Hired Hand (1:57.2-$25.00), trained by Benson Merrill for owner William Tracy, combined with Axion Hanover to produce a generous $197.60 exacta return.

In other Bangor news, a second round of Family Feud ended in a draw on Wednesday as brothers Drew and Heath Campbell lead the teamsters ranks with two driving wins each on the card.

The $25,000 Fred Nichols Invitational has been scheduled for Sunday (July 2) as the top New England pacers will gather at historic Bass Park to contest the second renewal of the marquee event which honors the memory of the longtime Bangor Raceway executive and official.

Maine Sire Stakes action also returns to Bangor Raceway on Sunday (July 2) when the three-year-old filly pacing division makes their second northern circuit appearance of the season.

Friday cards will be added to the Bangor Raceway schedule next week as the Queen City oval will proudly present live harness racing every Wednesday and Friday with post time at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) while the popular Sunday matinees get underway at 12:15 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway