Winning streak continues for Real Sancho

Bangor, Maine – To paraphrase legendary race caller, Jack E. Lee, “all you needed to know was Joey Mo” on Wednesday (October 24) at Bangor Raceway as harness racing driver/owner Joey Mosher piloted his recent acquisition, Real Sancho (Real Desire) to a 1:57 triumph, his fifth consecutive score.

The six-year-old gelding has remained undefeated since teaming up with Mosher and new trainer Kimberly Vafiades in mid-September, demonstrating push-button form while featuring confident brushes to the lead from just about every conceivable point in the mile.

Mosher, a former regular catch-driver along the state-of-Maine circuit and the winner of 1099 career races, has apparently chosen a profitable vehicle with which to make his splashy return to the raceway.

Real Sancho increased his bankroll to $13,750 accrued during his five-race win-streak, powering to the lead just past the half on Wednesday, before persevering by a neck at the wire in a seasonal best 1:57 clocking. The race was the best bet contest on the 13-race Bangor Raceway program.

REAL SANCHO REPLAY

“He’s a handsome, classy horse” said trainer Kim Vafiades, “We’re very pleased with how he’s raced since joining our roster. He has absolutely no bad habits, is a joy to be around, and we thank Joey for entrusting such a nice horse with us.”

Real Sancho’s win elevated Vafiades into a third place tie in the Bangor Raceway trainer’s standings with 19 seasonal scores. Her gaudy .578 UTRS continues to lead all regular conditioners in Queen City competition. He paid $6.00 to win.

In other Bangor news, the entire state-of-Maine harness racing industry mourns the losses suffered during the mass shooting in Lewiston on Wednesday night.

Spare Time Bowling, one of the locations where the massacre took place, was built on the site of the defunct Lewiston Raceway which closed in the 1980’s. Many of the horsemen and women who were racing at Bangor on Wednesday still live in the Lewiston area and we held our collective breaths until we learned they arrived back home safely.

Our prayers go out for comfort to those who lost loved ones, healing for those who have sustained injuries, and compassion for all Maine citizens as we struggle to comprehend the cruel reality of this tragic event.

Live harness racing will be featured through the November 8th closing day at Bangor Raceway on Saturday and Sunday with the brand-new early post times slated for 11:15 a.m. (EDT). The Wednesday afternoon post times remain 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