The Bird Dance N skyrockets in Nichols Memorial at Bangor Raceway
July 3, 2023,
Bangor, ME — The biggest crowd of the season thronged to Bangor Raceway on Sunday (July 2) to witness among the preeminent invitational occasions of the 2023 state of Maine harness racing season — the $25,000 Fred Nichols Memorial Pace which honors the memory of the long serving Bangor Raceway executive and authorities.
Riding a four-race win streak and greatly preferred by the Bangor faithful, The Bird Dance N and driver Nick Graffam turned the huge money contest (in Maine, a $25,000 handbag isn’t bird seed) into a metaphorical waltz through the aviary as the well-meant set impressed over a mist shrouded yet fleet ranked course.
The Bird Dance N scored in 1:55.1. Thomas Smith picture.
Flaunting his popular gate speed, The Bird Dance N powered to an early benefit, leading his accomplished opponents in a merry video game of catch-me-if-you-can, pressed through a consistent opening panel of :28 by an early, wide-side obstacle from Something Bettor A (Ron Cushing).
Graffam and The Bid Dance N were never ever “lapped-on” at any part of the mile though as the bold duo held the field easily at bay, reaching the half 2 lengths the very best, attended a genuine :56.2. Stepping a little on the gas Graffam extended their margin to 4 lengths, reaching the three-quarter pole in an unaided 1:24.3, prior to drifting to a 1-1/4 length success attended an in-hand 1:55.1. Alex Having Fun (Aaron Hall) used a completely carried out 2nd over method while rallying for runner-up honors, while Adriano Hanover (Walter Case Jr.) originated from the feared fourth-over position to get the program dough.
The Bird Dance N was sent to eviction as the 3-2 preferred, returning a reasonable $5 on every $2 wager as the “Calc Room” figured no damage on the bet.
The 8-year-old child of A Rocknroll Dance-This Bird Has Flown, who was trained to his seventh win of the year by Karl Butterfield for owner Jose Cervantes, makes an automated invite (in addition to Alex Having Fun) to First Tracks Cumberland’s upcoming $25,000 invitational occasion.
Beginning in July, Friday cards will be contributed to the Bangor Raceway schedule as the Queen City oval will happily provide live harness racing every Wednesday and Friday with post time at 3 p.m. (EDT) while the popular Sunday matinees get underway at 12:15 p.m.
