Drew Campbell triples at Bangor Raceway

Bangor, Maine – Harness racing driver Drew Campbell made all the right moves during the late afternoon matinee at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (October 18), scoring three wins on the twilight card as the sun travelled low across the autumnal New England, smoke colored sky.

Campbell struck early with High Gear No Fear (Whom Shall I Fear, 2:02-$11.80), aggressively grabbing the second-over trip behind No Mo Fashion (Walter Case, Jr) who was racing in “parked-for-his-life” mode after being denied an early curtesy seat. Keenly responding to Campbell’s three-wide, three-quarter-pole entreaty, High Gear No Fear marched bravely past the pack, coasting to a one-length margin for satisfied owner/trainer, Brian Lamb.

HIGH GEAR NO FEAR REPLAY

Where Case failed in an extended overland gambit, Campbell thrived in a somewhat identical adventure, touring on the wide-side throughout after aggressively leaving from the eight-hole with Tardis (Bettor’s Delight, 2:02.2-$5.40). The four-year-old, who was making his first state-of-Maine start for new owner/trainer Kimberly Vafiades, never lost contact and never retreated before gaining a second wind while willing himself to the lead past Maine Sirs graduate, Two Points (Aaron Hall), around the final turn. The one-length margin of victory marked the first win in 26 seasonal ste Stakearts for Tardis.

TARDIS REPLAY

Campbell completed his hat trick in handier fashion, securing a strategic pocket trip with Virtual Success (Betterthancheddar, 1:58.2-$6.80) before sprinting clear to a 1-3/4 length margin over front-running Granny’s Girl (Dan Dealandes). The win was the third of the season for the five-year-old who is trained by Franklin Hiscock for owner, Cynthia Pellitier.

VIRTUAL SUCCESS REPLAY

In other Bangor news, trainer Kimberly Vafiades continued to demonstrate a torrid touch, gaining two wins on Wednesday’s program to match her Sunday afternoon tally as Lord Magnetic (Aaron Hall) joined Tardis in claiming barn bragging rights.

Aaron Hall, the other repeat winner on the Wednesday program, snagged his driving double by soaring gate-to wire with Always A Pather, securing the first state-of-Maine victory for trainer Benson Merrill’s new charge.

Live harness racing resumes at Bangor Raceway on Saturday and Sunday with a brand new early post time slated for 11:15 a.m. (EDT). The Wednesday afternoon post time remains scheduled at 3:00 p.m.

For complete information regarding live racing, simulcast wagering, gaming, dining and hotel accommodations at Bangor’s Hollywood Casino and Raceway, please visit the website by clicking here.

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

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway