Pembroke Legacy grinds out impressive score

Bangor, Maine – Pembroke Legacy (Baron Biltmore – Pembroke Oasis) continued to build upon her storybook career on Sunday (June 26), etching out yet another determined epic at Bangor Raceway while remaining undefeated in Maine Sire Stakes competition this season.

Heralded as one of the favorites in this year’s sophomore class of lasses, Pembroke Legacy appears doggedly determined to wreak her revenge after being forced to wear the mantle of bridesmaid status during the $63,127 Maine-bred championship round of her freshman season, while boasting at every opportunity of her triumphant coronation during her appearance in last year’s $100,000 Massachusetts Sire Stakes final.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin and owner William Varney in Sunday’s $12,222 Maine Sire Stakes appearance, Pembroke Legacy left like a runner while wearing the number eight saddle pad. Dropping in third at the pylons and content to track the legitimate speed of early pace setter Sweet Baby G (Bruce Ranger) they forged their way to the half-mile marker in an evenly rated 1:00.1.

Campbell gunned Pembroke Legacy’s engines at that point, launching a gritty overland gambit which garnered mere inches per stride as the tandem took chase through a progressively quickening back half that would eventually be clocked in a zippy 58-seconds flat.

At the top of the lane Pembroke Legacy finally found herself on equal terms with Sweet Baby G and the duo delighted the fans as they fought tooth and nail through the historic Bass Park stretch. A mere 3/4-length separating the combatants at the wire, Pembroke Legacy stood triumphant after gaining her second stakes victory of the year timed in a seasonal best 1:58.1.

Sweet Baby G was forced to settle for the hard-fought runner-up placing while CBF Fin (David Ingraham) rode the strategic second-over path to rally for third.

The win was one of four on the card for driver Heath Campbell.

In other Bangor news, drivers Shawn Thayer and Dan Deslandes continued their dominant ways at Bangor this year with each teamster claiming driving doubles on Sunday’s matinee card.

And, long absent from the state-of-Maine circuit due to pandemic travel restrictions, the newly arrived Canadian contingent has begun to make their presence felt this summer as the New Brunswick based stables of Douglas Beckwith, Robert MacNeil and Stephen Downey each scored their first wins of the Bangor meeting with Paris Beau (1:57.3), Pacin Perfect (1:56.1) and Joe’s Beauty (1:57) respectively.

Bangor Raceway proudly features live harness racing every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) with the popular Sunday matinees getting underway at 12:15 p.m. Simulcast wagering is available Wednesday through Sunday from noon until 7:00 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway