Sunday afternoon is the final race card of the 2005 season at Bangor Raceway and is highlighted by the $10,000 Paul Bunyan Pace. The invitational event is the feature race of the Bangor meet, and this year’s edition has drawn a half dozen of the state’s finest pacers.  

The rail horse in the field is Arts Planet, who is owned by Tom Dillon of Anson and Walter Hight of Skowhegan. A seven year old son of Artsplace, Arts Planet has recorded victories in the top class at both Bangor and Scarborough a total of six times this season. Veteran driver Don Richards, who also does the training, will handle the reins on Sunday. 

The local entrant starts from post position two. Jate’s Skyhawk, owned by Bill Varney of Bangor, enters the 2005 Paul Bunyan Pace at the top of his game. The four year old son of Jate Lobell has won five consecutive races, including back-to-back wins over the top pacers at Bangor and Scarborough in his last two appearances. Jate’s Skyhawk is trained by Valerie Grondin and will be driven by Heath Campbell. 

Artchie Andrews, owned by the Windsor Kon X Tion of Augusta, has drawn post three for this year’s edition of the Bunyan. A winner of three of his last five starts, Artchie Andrews tuned up with an easy victory over the top class last week at Scarborough. The four year old son of Artiscape is prepped by veteran trainer Dick Bartlett and Jason Bartlett, the leading driver in Maine, gets the driving assignment Sunday. 

The fastest pacer in the field is Powerhouse Sahbra, who starts from the four post. His victory in 1:52.1 three starts ago at Plainridge Racecourse makes him the quickest participant in the 2005 Bunyan, and that mile is also the fastest of the season at the Massachusetts track. Powerhouse Sahbra is owned by Ray Clukey of Waterville and trained by Jamie Gerard. Regular pilot Shawn Gray will do the driving. 

The highest money earner in the field is Jason’s Jiffy, who has earned nearly $24,000 thus far in 2005. Jason’s Jiffy has been competing at Rockingham Park most recently, and he has recorded four sub -1:54 victories at the New Hampshire track. A five year old son of Village Jiffy, Jason’s Jiffy is owned by Brian Bickmore of Hermon. Randy Bickmore does the training, and top driver Drew Campbell will be in the bike Sunday. 

With seven victories thus far in 2005, Perfect Trick is the field’s winningest pacer. Owned and trained by Doug Beckwith of Second North River, New Brunswick, Perfect Trick has been what one might call perfect this season, as he has been on the board in each of his fifteen starts. He has also posted wins over the top classes at Bangor and Scarborough, and his 1:57.1 effort at the Downs in June was the quickest mile of the 2005 season at that time. Perfect Trick will start from post position six on Sunday. 

The Paul Bunyan Pace is part of a solid closing day card that includes the feature race of the week in Maine for fillies and mares. A winners over pacing event is also part of the Sunday program which gets underway at 1:30 P.M. Bangor Raceway will also host live racing this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 P.M.