New faces enhance Mark Harris roster at Bangor

Bangor, Maine ….A steady factor all season long, trainer Mark Harris might well be in the midst of posting a harness racing career year this season with his finely crafted stable at Bangor Raceway.

Posting two wins and a second place finish during Wednesday’s (Oct 23) program, the veteran conditioner who continues to inch toward the top spot of the leaderboard, now boasts 23 local scores, tied for third place in the standings, and just six wins removed from the pinnacle position. Just as importantly, with yearly purse earnings of $95,620, the Harris roster sits just $832 away from boasting the highest tally of overnight purses earned over the course of the nearly completed meet.

Harris has earned a reputation as a frugal conditioner, consistently returning tried and true veteran racehorses to the trenches year after year in an era that sometimes seems to feature a  watch and release sort of philosophy. Paramount to his success, his rosters have also been generally well balanced, matching the available condition sheet, with a blend of consistent check-getters to patrol the lower classes, coupled with a bevy of mid-to-upper class campaigners, capable of matching strides with whatever the local colony throws at them.

On Wednesday though, a trio of new faces augmented the Harris roster, powering to the forefront, demanding attention, and making  their immediate mark on their new digs.

It was simply one of those days that most trainers dream about.

Urika Bluechip (Bettor’s Delight, 1:59.4-$9.80) was the first newcomer sent to the gate by Harris, entering Queen City competition off recent appearances at Summerside Raceway. In harness to Bangor’s leading driver, Drew Campbell.  The four-year-old was steered into an aggressive first-over assault, cleared to the lead well before the three-quarter pole, and exploded through an imposing 58.2 back-half while extending out to a nine-length margin at the wire.

The win marked the fifth career victory for the Nathaniel Smith owned pacer.

Campbell also piloted Harris’ second winner of the day as DT Petlot (Pet Rock, 1:58.2-$3.20) became only the sixth winner of the season to overcome Bangor’s dreaded eight-hole. Campbell rifled his charge off the gate while lulling the competition to the half in what appeared a reasonable 1:00.4, before leaving them In their wake, powering home through an unexpected, and seemingly easily generated, :57.3 back-half.

Owned in partnership by Harris and his wife Gayle the five-year-old has now won consecutive races for her new connections since joining the roster just three starts prior.

Little Guy, another new addition to the Harris roster, scored an upset second place finish at 15-1 odds on Wednesday while making his first start for new owner Nathaniel Smith.

Driven by McGwire Sowers, Little Guy rode the wood for much of the mile before taking advantage of developing seams as the completion fanned off at the wire. And in a move reminiscent of, and made locally famous by, Maine’s legendary driver, Leigh Fitch, Sowers’ patient strategy paid handsome dividends as, much like Fitch magically did, they found clearance that seemingly did not exist while trading in an apparent hopeless situation for major spoils.

Check out the Mark Harris roster which will be out in full force all weekend long as Bangor Raceway heads into the final Saturday and Sunday cards of the 2024 season. Post time on Saturday and Sunday will be at 11:00 a.m. (EDT).

The meet will then conclude with Wednesday afternoon performances on October 30 and November 6 with post time scheduled at 3:00 p.m.

For those not able to come to the track, wagering and live video on 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.

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

by Mike Sweeney, for Bangor Raceway