Trainer Emily Burgess mounted an unrelenting assault on the Bangor Raceway winner's circle on Wednesday, April 29, releasing three well-armoured steeds on the unsuspecting opposition while deftly landing three precision salvos on the Queen City finish line.

Burgess’ training triple began in sneak attack fashion as six-year-old pacing mare Scarlet Moon and driver Nick Graffam took full advantage of a rare inside starting spot to parry away fourth behind the pacesetting Santa Fe Kat (James Doucette) in the second race.

Riding the Styrofoam through a go go (:28) opening panel and a whoa whoa (:32) second quarter, Scarlet Moon stayed bunched up along the pylons, leaving the overland assault to the Canadian invader Nannie Bernice (Michael Stevenson), who bravely engaged Santa Fe Kat through a quickly accelerating back half, which ultimately caused those weary combatants to veer out ever so slightly through the stretch.

Strategically positioned for just such a development, Scarlet Moon stealthily navigated the vacated inside path, securing the battle ribbons timed in 1:58.3, and returning a reasonable $8.20 win ticket to her backers. Nannie Bernice finished second in her first Bangor appearance while Santa Fe Kat was photoed in for the show.

Burgess’ next win came in a less dramatic yet equally powerful performance as 12-year-old pacing gelding Premier Joy A ($3) glided gate to wire in 1:57.3 for driver Heath Campbell to take the eighth race. Throwing in a never-in-doubt sort of effort, which featured a zippy :57.2 back half, the winner notched his second consecutive pike route score and the 48th career victory lap for the classy campaigner.

Burgess capped her hat trick in the 10th race finale with a near identical outing from five-year-old pacing gelding Bare Bone ($3.60), who sped to a two-length front-end frolic for driver Campbell, coasting home through an in-hand :57.4 final half clocking and stopping the timer in 1:58.2.

The triple installed the Monmouth, Maine trainer Burgess as the early season standard bearer on the Bangor Raceway leaderboard in her rookie year with four wins after the initial two performances at the Queen City oval. She leads a gang of four challengers, including Richard Allaby, Mark Harris, Autym Sowers and Michael Stevenson, who have earned two wins each.

Other multiple winners on Wednesday included Campbell, who tripled his pleasure while winning the final three races on the card; Graffam, who drove two winners down Victory Lane; and Stevenson, who drove victorious with two entries from his own stable.

In other Bangor news, punters both on-track and along Bangor Raceway’s vast simulcast network have responded favourably to the first two programs of the 2026 season. After two days of racing, Bangor has reported its live handle has experienced a nearly 120 per cent increase over the same period in 2025, while Wednesday’s live handle was the best bet Wednesday card since July of 2024.

Live harness racing is proudly featured at Bangor Raceway on a two-day-per-week schedule with the Wednesday cards going to post at 3 p.m. followed by the popular Sunday matinees, which swing in behind the gate beginning at 12:10 p.m.

(With files from Bangor Raceway; photo of Bare Bone winning on April 29)