Bangor Raceway starts 142nd consecutive season

Bangor, Maine … Maine’s northern harness racing circuit awoke from its long winter’s nap on Wednesday (May 1) as the horses rolled in behind the starting gate at historic Bass Park and Bangor Raceway strode into action to launch its 142 consecutive season.

While Kevin Switzer, Jr claimed the honor of teaming the first winner of the 2024 season, sprinting around the oval with Logan Lanpher’s Cutter Loose (2:00-$6.20), fellow drivers Andy Harrington and Aaron Hall wasted precious little time in establishing themselves as powers to be reckoned with in the early portion of the springtime meet with each recording driving doubles on the card.

Both of Harrington’s wins came courtesy of well positioned entries ably conditioned by his wife, Sara Harrington. Coffee Can Cash (2:00-$7.00) gamely raced first-up through a sterling 58.4 back-half before extending clear to a three-length margin at the wire while recording only the second win of his career for new owners, Gibbs Racing.

Meanwhile stablemate Shou-Lao (1:57.1-$4.20) wrangled a rare front-end seat after quarter-poling his way to the early advantage before holding off a determined late charge from Bandolito Blaze (Heath Campbell) who was making his first start back at the races since October of 2022.

Hall’s exploits, both hailing from the Brian Lamb roster, included So It Goes (1:58.2-$2.20), who paid dimes to dollars while piking on the point to a 3-1/4 length margin and Edelman (1:58.1-$4.20), who refused to fumble while working the pocket during the late afternoon finale.

CUTTER LOOSE REPLAY

Live harness racing is proudly featured at Bangor Raceway throughout the summer season every Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) with the Sunday morning matinees going to post bright and early at 11:00 a.m. Simulcast wagering is available daily in the grandstand faculty, including Kentucky Derby pre wagering beginning on May 2nd and culminating in the whole card simulcast of the Kentucky Derby program on May 4th.

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

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

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway