Tale of two cards at Bangor

Bangor, Maine … Powerful harness racing performances were the hallmarks of the day at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (July 6) as the two-year-old pacing divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes program made their seasonal debut, headlining a stellar 13-race program on a sunny yet blustery midsummer afternoon.

Driver Nick Graffam, who with trainer Karl Butterfield teamed up to control the tempo on the overnight side of the card, rode roughshod over the competition while recording four rousing romps down Victory Lane.

Included in their quiver of darts thrown at the winners circle were; Ima Tragedy N (Sands A Flyin, 1:58.3), who popped the pocket to earn his first win of the year; Sanattle Slew (Santanna Blue Chip, 1:57.3), who proved a slight upset as a 7-1 front runner; Wynnfrith (Ameripan Gigolo, 1:59.2), who soared gate to wire while securing her second consecutive win; and Ten Beaches Later (Net Ten Eom, 1:57.2), who rode the pike route while retuning a moderate $7.20 win ticket.

As daunting as the Graffam and Butterfield overnight assault appeared, it paled in comparison to the unprecedented barrage sent forth from the Maine Sire Stakes ranks when $35,095 in purse money was distributed over three splits. Thirteen colts and nine fillies were sent to the gate for the first stakes appearances of their careers, remarkably with 19 of the 22 freshman heralding from the rosters of a scant four stables.

Trainer Marc Tardif, holding the edge in numbers with nine well-conditioned combatants sent to the gate, decimated the competition while claiming 8 of the 9 top-three sire stakes placings on Wednesday. All six of his colts hit-the-board with Luke McGook (Rock N’ Roll World – Madonna Hanover) scoring in 2:02.4 for driver Kevin Switzer Jr in front of stable mates Rockaroundsam (Andrew Harrington) and So Rock N’ Roll (Walter Case Jr).

Twice The Ice (Deuce Seelster – Snow Cone) later joined the colt hit parade while romping in 2:02.3 for driver Walter Case Jr, besting his top-three placed bunk buddies, Facemaskrequired (Andrew Harrington) and Someone’s Hero (Kevin Switzer Jr).

Tardif’s fillies proved just as profitable as Pickmepickme (Western Maverick – Ella V Horse) wowed the crowd in a 1:59.3 romp for driver Andrew Harrington while sorority sister Katelyn’s Angel (Kevin Switzer Jr) secured runner up honors. South St Dottie (Nick Graffam), from the Michael Graffam stable was the only non-Tardif trainee to crash the number with a third pace finish.

Maine Sire Stakes action returns to Bangor Raceway on July 10 as the sophomore trotting classes headline the popular 12:15 p.m. Sunday matinee.

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 non-wagering race results, click here.

For complete pari-mutuel race results, click here.

by Michael Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway