The 16th Annual Paul Bunyan Invitational couldn’t have been mapped out any better for Doubleshotascotch. Sitting last in the five horse field for the first 3/8th of the mile, Doubleshotascotch tipped out and was second over until the ¾ pole where the 4 year old Dragon Again gelding tipped three wide and was unstoppable, cruising to the win in 1:54.2.

“I didn’t want to be first up. The first week I drove him he came out of a hole and that’s what he likes, in my opinion” said driver Heath Campbell, in capturing his fifth Bunyan trophy. Doubleshotascotch is owned by Robert DiNozzi and trained by Valerie Grondin.

The race fractions worked to their advantage as Canadian invader PH Bestman(Todd Trites) grabbed the lead from the gate speedy Cactus Creek (Drew Campbell) at the 1/8th pole and went to the quarter in :27.3 and then rested the field for the second quarter, a leisurely 29.4 rate. That brought Tireman (Ron Cushing) first up to challenge before the half and those two battled for the lead in the third quarter. The teletimer read 1:25.3 at that junction when Doubleshotascotch tipped from the second over position.

Cactus Creek, who sat in the garden spot, weaved his way through traffic in the stretch to grab the place position, while Tireman held for third.

The Campbell brother’s rivalry is still strong, though. After the race, older brother Drew said “Heath’s lucky again! They may be bringing this horse (Cactus Creek) back (to Maine) for the Hight Invitational, so bring it on!”

Bangor Raceway now closes their summer meet. The Maine fair circuit starts next Friday at the Northern Maine Fair. Racing resumes at Bangor Raceway for four days in September, and then their fall meet starts October 12th.