Moxie is the quintessential carbonated beverage of the state of Maine, sweet but bitter, strong yet refined, a regional favourite that often appears mysterious to Maine’s summertime tourist crowd. It is also the namesake of a lucrative late-closing event being held at Bangor Raceway, which offers mid-range Trackmaster classified pacers an opportunity to race for enhanced offerings.
With a pair of elimination legs leading up to an $8,500 USD final and a $6,500 USD consolation to be carded on Wednesday, June 18 at historic Bass Park, the competition has been keen indeed.
Spodog ($9.80) became one of the big dogs, coming to the forefront of consciousness in the Moxie on Wednesday, June 11 when driver Aaron Hall rallied the Johnathon Breshnahan trainee from last to first while weaving to find the fleetest path through a crowded stretch.
Shuffled back to last in one of three $8,904 divisions after Bushman N (McGwire Sowers) battled first-over against the front-stepping Reys N A Ruckus (Kevin Switzer Jr.), Hall positioned his charge toward the slightest of seams off the seven-eighths marker, tripping four-wide through the lane, to secure the score by the scant margin of a neck in 1:59.1.
The courageous win was the first in 17 seasonal attempts for the six-year-old son of Luck Be Withyou.
Spodog joined the Steven Wilson-teamed St Lads Thriller ($29), a 1:58.3 winner, and Wallace Watson-driven Terror Hall ($12.60), quickest in 1:56.4, as second leg victors in the Moxie.
Terror Hall, the lone repeat winner from leg one, is the point leader heading into next week’s final. The veteran son of Western Terror figures to be among the wagering favourites in the big dance on Wednesday despite being dismissed at 9-1 and 5-1 odds in both elimination legs.
In other Bangor news, Aaron Hall and Andrew Harrington each scored driving doubles on the Wednesday matinee card with both of Harrington’s scores coming from his own, well considered roster.
Maine Sire Stakes action makes its 2025 debut at Bangor Raceway on Sunday, June 15 as the three-year-old trotting divisions take centre stage at the Queen City oval for purses approximately $11,500 USD per dash.
Bangor Raceway will showcase live harness racing throughout the mid-summer season, featuring sessions on Wednesday afternoons with a 3 p.m. post time, and the popular Sunday matinees going to post at 12:10 p.m.
(Bangor Raceway)