Maine group continues to promote harness racing

BANGOR, Maine — Laurie MacKenzie of Plymouth has been involved in the harness racing industry her whole life.

Her husband, Gerald “Butch” MacKenzie Jr., was a longtime trainer and driver. Her father, Elmer Ballard, is still involved with racing at Scarborough Downs at age 80. MacKenzie’s daughter, Liz, works as a groom in Bangor and is married to successful driver Kevin Switzer Jr.

Despite her deep connections to harness racing, she is concerned about the future of the sport in Maine.

“My worry for the people in the state of Maine is that it may not be here some day,” Laurie MacKenzie, who along with her husband gave up the sport in 2010 to work other jobs as they approach retirement, said.

“It’s tradition. It has to be here. It can’t go away,” she added.

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