Another close call for a car

Jason Wood of Orono doesn’t think much of John Davidson’s driving at Bangor Raceway, but Fred Nichols, the general manager, wants to give Davidson a big hug.

Again, the disagreement evolves around the new automobile giveaway promotion and the photo-finish camera.

For the fourth time in two weeks, the camera was the ultimate judge in a picture-tight finish.

Wood, a University of Maine student, was the ticket holder to win a new Chevrolet in the trifecta draw of the ninth race on Wednesday night.

As the pill cage revolved, the numbers 1-3-4 tumbled into the delivery tray. They were all the handicapper’s favorites, and their order included: Frank Hall Jr. with Borderview (1), Steve Mahar with Chipalong Down (3) and Doug Beckwith with Rocket Roger (4).

In the final go around of the race as the horses were coming down the homestretch toward the finish line, it was 1-3-4 with 2, John Davidson and Blodwen, closing fast through the middle of the frontrunning trio.

Hall (1) won the race, Mahar (3) finished second and the photo sign was flashed for the show position. Unable to accurately read the negative, Presiding Judge Bill Ring called for a print.

Wood watched the finish of the race from the winner’s circle area and audibly voiced “please, please, please, let me have this winner” while all the blood drained out of Nichols’ face.

The photo-finish camera would decide if Wood was a winner of a new car, or in case of a dead heat, a $2,000 consolation prize, or nothing.

After an agonizing wait, the photo-finish clearly showed Blodwen (2) finishing third over Rocket Roger (4) by a nose. Even Wood looked at the photograph and didn’t dispute the finish and walked away empty handed, unlike Danny Sickler of Lagrange who, last week, won a new Chevrolet Lumina.

Flushed with more oxygen and a new blood supply, Nichols grabbed his microphone and told race goers, “Come on back Friday and this weekend and we’ll be doing it all over again.”

You can bet Jason Wood will be there.

Got a sneak preview of the new off-track betting parlor on Thursday at Miller’s Restaurant. What a beautiful facility. I don’t think you will find a better one in the state, perhaps the east coast.

The OTB will be open every day, from noon to 11 p.m., with harness and thoroughbred races from across the country. No harness simulcast while Bangor is racing live, but Miller’s will carry the Bangor races.

Bangor Raceway will feature the $1,600 John R. Braden Pace on Sunday’s 11-race program, one of its Historic Series. Saturday’s 10-race program will feature the first $1,000 leg of The Margaret Dillion Pacing Series.

Bangor’s program will feature The Owen Butler Pace. Butler, former general manager of the racing program for the city, will be honored for his many years of service to the Maine Standardbred industry and to Bangor Raceway.

County Raceway at Northern Maine Fairgrounds in Presque Isle opens Friday with seven dashes at 7:30 p.m., according to Wayne Johnson, president. John Churchill is the presiding judge. The track will operate over the next eight Friday nights.

Want to drive a horse? Beginning Friday, four names will be drawn each racing session at Bangor Raceway. The recipients (and guests) will be able to sit behind a Standardbred horse in a double-seated sulky driven by an experienced, licensed driver and cruise once around the track at jog speed on consecutive Saturday mornings.

Pari-mutuel figures released by George Witman, Bangor Raceway’s mutuels director, indicate a dash average through Wednesday, June 8, of $6,813, up from 1993’s figure of $6,474 by 5 percent.