For more than two decades, the Paul Bunyan Pace has been a staple of New England harness racing, the signature race of each Bangor Raceway season.
In 2015 the Bunyan Pace has evolved into a three week event, with Bangor and its sister track PlainridgePark each hosting $8,000 legs to determine the field for the $25,000 final to be held in Maine on July 20th.
On Monday the second preliminary is the feature race of the day at PlainridgePark. A Sweet Ride, a winner in 1:53 for Kevin Switzer, Jr in last week's leg at Bangor, has been installed as the 7-5 favorite. Only The Lonely, runner-up in the first preliminary leg, will be handled once again by Eddie Davis, Jr., and has been tabbed as second choice in the race at 5-2.
However last week's successful duo likely faces a stiff challenge from a pair of newcomers. Calvin B, from the powerful Heidi Rohr Stable, scored 2015's fastest mile at Plainridge, stopping the teletimer in 1:51.3. Denver Dolly, who enjoys the services of leading driver Jim Hardy, established a new lifetime mark of 1:52 while winning an open event at Plainridge earlier this meet.
Monday's field also includes Western Victory, the 2014 Paul Bunyan champion. On the board in 10 of 13 appearances this season, the defending champ will be handled by local favorite Wallace Watson. Twin B Spy, a three time winner at the Massachusetts track this season, gets the services of Dude Goodblood, who is rapidly closing in on his 5,000th career driving victory.
The Paul Bunyan preliminary leg has been carded as race five on a solid twelve race card that also features the Harness Horsemen's Association of New England Pace.
Plainridge Park races each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday with first post scheduled at 4:00 P.M.