As she stood there, motionless, she caught my attention with a bat of her enormous, chocolate-brown eyes. A gentle breeze ruffled her long, flowing chestnut hair.

She stands more than five feet tall and her sleek frame has no trouble carrying around her 1,100 pounds. She loves to eat grass and carrots. No doubt about it, she’s an irresistable beauty.

The mystery “lady” is Chip N Putt, a four-year-old filly who will make for an interesting blind date for some lucky fan Friday night at Bangor Raceway.

Chip N Putt will be raffled off to someone in attendance as part of the opening-night harness racing festivities at historic Bangor Raceway. Post time is 7 p.m.

The horse giveaway is the brainchild of Orono’s Fred Nichols, the raceway manager and the driving force behind Bangor Historic Track Inc. That group will run the racetrack this year under an agreement with the city of Bangor.

Each fan entering the raceway will have the opportunity to fill out an entry blank for a chance to win the horse. Fred Noe, the executive vice president of the United States Trotting Association, will draw the winning entry at random after Friday night’s fifth race.

The winner, who must be present to claim the prize, will have all expenses paid for maintaining and racing the horse during Bangor Raceway’s 34-date extended meet and will be entitled to all winnings during that time.

Upon completion of the meet, the owner will have the option of keeping the horse and assuming all expenses, selling it to a third party, or selling it back to Bangor Raceway for a minimum of $500.

There are 11 dashes on Friday’s race card, with Chip N Putt running in a tough, seven-horse field in the fifth race.

“Whoever wins her is going to good, well-mannered horse,” said Brian Nelson, who will train, drive and care for Pitch N Putt. “I think she’ll be an honest, trying horse. I think whoever wins her will have an enjoyable summer coming to watch her race every week.”

Nelson has been working hard bring the horse up to speed, as it arrived from Monticello Raceway in New York a bit tired and sick.

“When I got here she was a little rundown, a little sick,” Nelson said. “I’ve spent a lot of time trying to put a little meat on her bones and getting her over her virus.”

Nichols is banking on the fact his promotional efforts will help increase attendance at Bangor Raceway and provide sound family entertainment.

“I’m pretty confident and nervous at the same time,” Nichols said. “I’m nervous that the show goes on as planned. From what I’ve heard around town, everybody’s really enthused with what we’ve done out there as far as customer amenities and the promotions that we have scheduled.”

The horse giveaway is one of numerous promotions planned by Nichols, who hopes to entice people who have never seen harness racing to make a trip to Bangor Raceway this summer. Every night, fans will have a chance to win a new car, courtesy of Bean & Conquest.

An expenses-paid trip to the Hambletonian, harness racing’s equivalent of the Kentucky Derby, is among the other prizes being offered this season.

Bangor Raceway appeared doomed only seven months ago when the Bangor City Council voted not to continue running the harness racing operation at city-owned Bass Park.

Through the efforts of Bangor Historic Track, the excitement of harness racing returns to Bangor Raceway. For the first time in several years, the race track will be operated and promoted privately.

Nichols’ group has taken over the the reins under a one-year lease agreement with the city and also has four, one-year options available.

After this weekend, which will feature racing only on Sunday, harness racing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 1:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Race-goers will notice significant changes at the facility.