Bangor Raceway launches 142nd Opening Day

Bangor, Maine …. Harness racing excitement returns to venerable Bass Park on Sunday (April 27) as Bangor Raceway kicks off its 142nd season, offering a total of $45,900 in purse money to be dispersed over an ultra-competitive ten race program.

Post time for the Sunday matinee is slated for 12:10 p.m. (EDT).

Bangor Raceway’s 2025 purse structure will enjoy a solid 10% increase over last season’s offerings as the historic track bids to build upon a strong 2024 season which generated the largest daily betting average in its 142 year history. This upward trend in handle, combined with continued solid results from Bangor’s Hollywood Casino (which fuels a large part of the purse pool for the entire state of Maine) will enable a daily average purse in the $50,000 range during the 2025 meeting.

New grandstand furniture coupled with a revamped food and beverage service (provided by neighboring Cross Insurance Center) will augment the on-track experience while a brand new, state-of-the-art, high definition simulcast capability will ensure a crystal clear viewing experience for the off-track customers as the Bangor Raceway product continues to expand its reach to additional national and international audiences alike.

Former Freehold race secretary, Karen Fagliarone, will be responsible for putting together top notch cards at both Bangor Raceway and Shenandoah Downs this season after recently accepting the chief race office assignments at both tracks. Working remotely, she finds ample cause to be excited about the prospects for the racing program at both venues.

“I thought that when Freehold came to a close and I accepted these remote jobs the one thing I’d miss the most was the socialization” Fagliarone said, “To my surprise, I’ve met some incredible, kind people that share the same passion for the industry that I do. Each of the two tracks have very different benefits and struggles but I’m confident that I have the experience and knowledge to help improve our product and create competitive, full fields. I’m lucky to have gotten this opportunity and I’m looking forward to a successful season.”

On the racing side of the equation, Drew Campbell, last season’s leading driver, will be back in action and raring to defend his top-stick status. Combined with the talents of Walter Case, Jr, David Ingraham, Kevin Switzerland, Jr, Heath Campbell, Kevin Switzer Jr, Aaron Hall, and upstart, McGwire Sowers, the driving colony should prove deeply competitive indeed.

Drew Campbell may well get the early call as he team 5-2 morning line favorite, Urika Blue Chip, in the first race of the season, a $4300 mid-level classified event. Trained by Mark Harris, Bangor’s third leading conditioner in 2024, the five-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight will score from post four while trying to build upon last week’s fast closing second place finish at First Tracks Cumberland as he makes his second start of the 2025 season.

Chief to contend may be Captain Who who will be handled by driver Nick Graffam for trainer Russell Lanpher III from post five. Making his third start of the season on Sunday, the  veteran campaigner has rallied strongly into top-three placings in each of his prior two First Track Cumberland starts.

A wild card in the opener may well be Fade To Gold who will battle the boys on Sunday from the rail. Piloted by McGwire Sowers for trainer Autumn Robinson (whose stable appears to have solid shots with multiple entries on the card), the mare will need to overcome rather dull form in recent appearances but does boast a Monticello victory earlier this year.

Other notable events on the Sunday program include a $4800 Maine Amateur Driving Club division as Maine’s popular amateur driving series expands its presence into Queen City competition. In addition, two $4600 splits of the Spring Into Action Series for classified fillies and mares will see the lasses do battle through two preliminary legs with the top eight point earners squaring off in a $6000 final on May 11.

Live harness racing will be showcased at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday afternoons with a 3:00 pm post time, with the popular Sunday matinees going to post at 12:10 pm.

For those not able to come to the track, wagering and live video for Bangor Raceway, as well as hundreds of harness and thoroughbred racetracks across the world, is available on Hollywood Races at www.hollywoodraces.com.

For complete information regarding live racing, simulcast wagering, gaming, dining, and hotel accommodations at Bangor’s Hollywood Casino and Raceway, please visit the website at www.hollywoodcasinobangor.com.

Photo by Thomas Smith – KP’s Magic Macy and driver Russell Lanpher III win the first qualifier of the 2025 season at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (April 23).

For complete race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway