Drew Campbell gets four-in-a-row at Bangor

Bangor, Maine ….  Drew Campbell cast a dominant shadow on Bangor Raceway’s Sunday (October 13) morning matinee, demonstrating his versatility while winning four consecutive races during the mid-way portion of the harness racing program.

Having become a fan favorite after posting decades worth of powerful performances along the New England circuit, Campbell none-the-less once again proved himself to be the real thing at the raceway on Sunday while propelling himself to the wire with the aptly named pacer, Real Thing (1:58-$8.40), to secure the first of his four scores.

Launching Real Thing (Real Desire) into a first over assault, Campbell doggedly tracked down Outspoken Man (Walter Case, Jr) and Reys In A Ruckus (Kevin Switzer,Jr) who sat first and second respectively throughout most of the mile.

Sprinting to the wire, Campbell nipped his pacesetting foes in a tight photo finish, securing the sixth win of the season for the Richard Albaby owned and trained entry.

REAL THING REPLAY

The license plate on Campbell’s truck reads, “I Send Em”, indicative of the insistent style of driving that helped stake his reputation as one of the most aggressive teamsters along the northeast circuit. And Campbell wasted precious time reverting to familiar form while sending La Booma (Always A Virgin) (2:00.2-$4.20) merrily down the highway to secure the second of his four wins. Taking full advantage of the rail and a precipitous drop in class, the Brian Kelley II owned and trained pacer earned his fifth career win as Campbell gained the late catch-drive, while listed driver, Aaron Hall and his wife, were attending to the birth of their first child.

Campbell next employed the winning strategy with the classy trotter, Little Macabee (Chapter Seven) (1:58-$6.20), eclipsing his cover in deep stretch after working out a prosperous second-over journey behind Inquiring Mind (David Ingraham) to get up at the wire by a measured length. The win marked the 40th career score for the veteran son of Chapter Seven who is trained by Chad Tompkins for owner Maryann Tompkins.

Campbell concluded his consecutive grand slam with the well-meant pacer, Axion Hanover (Betting Line) (1:58-$3.00), who is trained by Mark Harris for owner Gayle Harris. Racing first over into legitimate fractions, Campbell overtook Paxton, (who was piloted by his brother Heath Campbell), at the top of the stretch, seemingly calling out “see ‘ya bro” as he passed them by and then sprinted clear to the wire.

Drew Campbell’s four wins propelled him to the top of the Bangor Raceway drivers’ standings with 45 seasonal tallies, one more than his brother Heath who currently plays second fiddle to his big brother, with 44 wins of his own.

Bangor Raceway swings back into action on Saturday and Sunday mornings with an early 11:00 a.m. post time and on Wednesday afternoons starting at 3:00 p.m. This three-day-a-week schedule remains in place through October 30 with the fall meet concluding on Wednesday (November 6).

For those not able to come to the track, wagering and live video on 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, www.hollywoodcasinobangor.com

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

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway