Bangor Raceway opens it's 126th Season

May 10, 2009 – Opening weekend at Bangor Raceway had successes and surprises during it two weekend cards.

A new post time of 3:00 pm for Friday's opening card drew a large group of spectators and bettors to the grandstand under unexpected good weather. Horsemen and fans were introduced to a new paddock that was under construction during last year's fall meet. Fans enjoyed seeing the horses up close as they left the paddock for the post parade. Horsemen were pleased with the new surroundings with 96 stalls available for racing horses, new wash stalls, two driver's lounges and a gift of carrots for all horses entered Friday.

The day started out with a bang as the first race produced a dead head between Back Spin and Vasvixen N with a clocking of 1:58.3. It wasn't the only dead heat for the day as the feat was repeated in the sixth race between veteran Morty and newcomer Sharealike N in 2:00.1.

Two late closers held their first legs also on Friday. A late closer for pacers that were non winners of $500 per start in 2008 produced the fastest mile of the day with Gracie Gracie winning in 1:57 flat. Gracie Gracie is owned by Sharon Proctor and Fred Ward and was driven by Kim Ireland. The other late closer for trotters was a fantastic finish with David Crochere's entry going nose to nose at the finish with Steuben Sircharles beating Act Proud in 2:03.4.

Fans flocked to the historic oval on Sunday to witness the arrival of two much heralded horses, only to see defeat come to both. In the fifth race, spectators were shocked as last year's Hambletonian entrant Velocity Hall made a break at the first eighth pole and only managed to finish fourth. Bettors came out the winners as the show tickets for winner Balanced Seranade, place horse Mutual Funs and show finisher Corinth paid $29.60, $20.60 and $26.60, respectfully, for the $2.00 bet.

Georgia Pacific was entered in a winner over event in race eight, only to finish second. Manchine, with Gary Mosher driving, cut fractions of 30.0, 1:00.0, 1:29.1 with Georgia Pacific sitting fourth to the five eighths pole where he started his challenge. He got cover up the backside as Pans Fifty-Seven pulled out of the pocket forcing the World Champion three wide in the final turn. In the end, Manchine held off Heath Campbell's stead, winning by a length and 1/4 in the time of 1:59.3 over a track that was not as fast as Friday's surface.

Bangor Raceway goes to post at 3:00 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays, Sundays have a 1:30 pm post. This week the track will hold a special card on Preakness Day, Saturday with a 1:30 pm post time.

Top photo: Back Spin and Vasvixen N share the winner's circle for the first race of the meet.
Bottom photo: Manchine crosses the wire in the Winner Over event on Sunday. – Shelley Gilpatrick photos