14-year-old shows heels to younger rivals

Bangor, Maine – On a day when the sophomore harness racing pacing stars of the Maine Sire Stakes program were pegged as the marquee attraction, it was a grand fourteen-year-old veteran who stole the headlines at Bangor Raceway.

Natural Beeeze (Nuclear Breeze-Izzy Inc), rather than easing into well-earned retirement, seems intent on going out on his own terms in this, his final season. Making the 293rd start of his workday career on Wednesday (7-12) and with driver Aaron Hall calling the shots for his father, owner/trainer Craig Hall, the veteran pacer charged hard from the gate to secure his favored front-end perch, a seat from which 20 of his 36 career wins have been earned, before romping around the historic Bass Park oval to nab the 3/4-length margin timed in a seasonal best 1:59.2.

With minor checks earned as a youngster in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action, Natural Breeze came into his own while making his mark among New England’s lower-level claiming and classified set. Since joining the Craig Hall roster in 2013, the pacer has amassed 32 of his 36 career wins at the northeast venues, taking his lifetime mark of 1:55 at Plainridge Racecourse as a seven-year-old, and providing a reliable vehicle for a young Aaron Hall to earn his reputation as an up-and-coming driver.

Aaron Hall, who has been Natural Breeze’s most regular pilot since 2017, having been aboard for 19 of the pacer’s top-tier tallies, made news of his own on Wednesday, as he teamed three winners down Victory Lane, including; Humor Me (1:57.1-$3.60), one of two training wins from the Kimberly Vafiades stable; and Thinking Of Slim (1:56.4-$13.20) who hails from Hall’s own Gardiner, Maine based roster.

NATURAL BREEZE REPLAY

In other Bangor news, the Deslandes clan continued to dominate the 2023 meeting at Bangor Raceway as trainer Jeff Deslandes sent three more winners to the gate on Wednesday. With driver Dan Deslandes handling the lines, the winning Deslandes disciples included; Wynnfrith (2:00.2-$2.80), who won for the 60th time in her career; Swellendam (1:57-$3.40) who claimed his second consecutive score; and Lydia’s Liberty (1:55.4-$5.40) who forged the fastest mile of the day at Bangor.

The three wins nudged Dan Deslandes into first place on the drivers’ leaderboard at Bangor with 34 seasonal scores – two more than top contender, Bruce Ranger.

Drivers Drew Campbell and Kevin Switzer, Jr also enjoyed a multi-win day on Wednesday, claiming two wins each on the program, while trainer Marc Tardif ruled the Maine Sire Stakes roost, winning both $15,142 splits of the sophomore colt divisions with Luke McGook (Kevin Switzer, Jr) and So Rock N’ Roll (Walter Case, Jr).

Maine Sire Stakes action returns to Bangor Raceway on Friday (July 14) with two $14,684 splits of sophomore pacing fillies and one $14,486 division of freshman pacing fillies going postward as non-wagering events beginning bright and early at 11:00 a.m. (EDT). A second $14,487 division of freshman pacing fillies will lead off the parimutuel program which is slated to commence at 12:15 p.m.

Bangor Raceway proudly presents live harness racing every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) while the Friday and popular Sunday matinees get underway at 12:15 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway