Promising young driver Kevin Switzer, Jr. recorded career driving victory #500 at Scarborough Downs on Sunday, persevering through an excruciatingly tight photo finish review and then surviving a judges inquiry into the stretch run of the race.

Terra Cotta Bay, a new addition to the Michael Hitchcock stable, led the race throughout; Switzer masterfully holding the field at bay with horses stacked across the raceway like so many chess pieces on a board. Switzer’s only harrowing moment came around the final turn as Sunrise JD sprang loose from the pocket to engage Terra Cotta Bay. Under pressure, Terra Cotta Bay briefly rolled off stride before regaining her steady gait and ecking out the narrowest of victories over Sunrise JD.

“She did throw in some funny steps,” said winning driver Kevin Switzer, Jr., “but she got it back together in time to get the job done.” Switzer was joined in the winner’s circle by an exuberant group of supporters and well wishers following the benchmark win.

In other Opening Weekend news, former Downs driving champion, Drew Campbell, reclaimed top-dog status, scoring 4 wins on Sunday’s program, and at the conclusion of the first weekend of racing, he holds a one-win edge over rivals Kevin Switzer, Sr. and Plainridge-invader, Jimmy Hardy.

On the trainer’s side of the ledger, defending training champion, Randy Bickmore, sent three winners from his roster on Sunday, cementing his status at the top of the trainer’s list with a one-win edge over Bangor-based trainer, Michael Hitchcock.

Live harness racing returns to Scarborough Downs next weekend: Saturday at 4 pm and Sunday at 1:05 pm.