All guns were firing at the start of the $25,000 Paul Bunyan Invitational at Bangor Raceway as four pacers were vying for the lead going into the first turn, but Kevin Switzer aboard MR NICE GUY, was determined to see the quarter pole first, and outlasted MAMBO ITALIANO and Shawn Thayer. Switzer’s strategy was looking to be successful until the last sixteenth of the mile when he was overtaken by Gary Mosher and WHOLLY LOUY to win the 18th edition of the Bunyan in 1:54.4.

Mosher’s stategy was unorthodox for WHOLLY LOUY who likes to go to the front at the start of the race. “There was a lot of speed in there (at the start) and we guessed right, 26.4 to the quarter and they were four deep, so we took back.” said Mosher. WHOLLY LOUY sat sixth at the half and came third over up the backstretch following ART'S SAKE. “At the three quarter pole, (ART'S SAKE) went down to the rail and it was me and old man Switz and we outgained him in the lane. It worked out right tonight, for a change!” Mosher gushed.

Ontario invader FIRETHORN followed WHOLLY LOUY to get the show ticket.

Other notes from Bangor final day of the summer meet included :

• A big crowd of horsemen and friends were in the winner’s circle for the Timothy Simmons Memorial, won by DREAM WELL and John MacDonald. Simmons passed away earlier this year and was remembered for his many years working as a trainer and groom for many stables, including the Grondin Stable, the Bartlett Stable and Sumner Stable. He will be missed.
• The three year old colt pacers of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes also were on hand tonight at Bangor and saw victories from WESTERN LUKE (Ron Cushing) in 2:00.3, FUZZYLEGSANDALL (Mark Athearn) in 1:56.3, and PEMBROKE DEWEY (Heath Campbell) in 1:57.1.
  
• John MacDonald was pleased with his second visit to the Queen City oval. His first visit was as a youngster “when there was an open paddock down by the grandstand”. Now 30, and sporting almost 2,500 victories, MacDonald is headed north to PEI to compete in the Gold Cup and Saucer with FIRETHORN. “He won an elimination last year and was second in the final, so we’re headed back this year for some more fun” said MacDonald. He may hold over in Presque Isle for some racing at their fair and may visit Fryeburg in the fall. “The people have been so nice and I like the atmosphere of Maine racing. I hope to come back again.”
  
• The last day of the summer meet at Bangor had the biggest crowd on hand for the year. Director of Racing Michael Hopkins was ecstatic on how successful this meet has been. The handles improved 100% over previous years. He is also excited about a special day of racing in September to coincide with the Fireball Run, and has a couple of special events in the making for September 29th.
  
• For the umpteenth time, Heath Campbell won Bangor’s driving title for the summer meet. He was in a tight race with Ron Cushing, and they were tied after the fifth race of the evening. Campbell then got victories with EVENING ATTIRE, PEMBROKE PRAYER (in the John Hopkins Memorial Trot in 1:58.2) and PEMBROKE DEWEY to clinch the title. Cushing didn’t go home empty-handed though, as he was the top trainer of the meet.