Grand slam for trainer Neal Grass at Bangor

Bangor, Maine – Harness racing trainer Neal Grass’s roster was firing on all cylinders on Sunday (June 11) at Bangor Raceway as the mainstay along the Pine Tree Circuit paraded four winners in front of the enthusiastic fans at historic Bass Park.

Grass’ grand slam gambit began when Golden Tree (1:57.3 – $34.40) and driver Nick Graffam overcame the number seven post for the second consecutive week. The paid glided gate to wire in a seasonal best clocking to snag the repeat winners circle appearance.

Two races later, driver Kevin Switzer, Jr executed a perfect three-deep sweeping maneuver behind Grass’ P L Pasquale (1:59 – $8.60), gliding to the wire 1-1/4 lengths the best. The win was the third lifetime score for the developing son of Thinking Out Loud.

Graffam regained command of the winner’s circle for Grass in the very next contest, overcoming a crowded home stretch with American Flight (1:57.2 – $7.20) before pouncing to a 1-3/4 length margin. The win was the third in a row for the 13-year-old son of Panspacificflight.

Ironically, it was a a horse named after a famed football player that cemented Neal Grass’s grand slam spectacular when driver Aaron Hall threw a perfect spiral with  Brett McFavrelous (2:00.3 – $5.20), finding the end zone 1-/3/4 lengths in front of the gasping defenders.

Neal Grass’s four wins doubled his seasonal tally at Bangor Raceway this year and propelled his stable into a second place tie with Cain McKenzie on the Bangor Raceway leaders board behind current leading trainer Jeff Deslandes who has mastered the art of winning with 21 top tallies at Bangor thus far this season.

In other Bangor news, driver Aaron Hall scored three wins on the afternoon program highlighted by a 1:56.1 epic behind Humor Me (1:56.1 – $12.20). The veteran daughter of Bettor’s Delight who was trained by Kimberly Vafiades for owner Peter Haskell, secured the 40th win of her career on Sunday before being claimed for the $4800 allowance price by Todd Smith.

Nick Graffam and Dan Deslandes each contributed two wins to the afternoon’s excitement while trainer Jeff Deslandes sent two winners to the post. Included in Deslandes tally was the 70th career win for the veteran pacer, Rocnrolwilneverdie (1:58.2 – $6.60), who eclipsed the $400,000 level in lifetime earnings with the milestone victory.

Maine Sire Stakes action returns to Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (June 14) as the three-year-old colt pacing division heralds the start of the 2023 Maine Sire Stakes season. Two stakes splits will be contested for twin $15,376 purses as non-wagering events prior to the pari-mutuel card, beginning at 2:15 p.m. (EDT).

Bangor Raceway proudly presents live harness racing every Wednesday with post time at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) with the popular Sunday matinees getting underway at 12:15 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway