5/9 - Kerogen Sets New State of Maine Trotting Record

5/9 - Bangor Raceway has cancelled races for Friday Night and Sunday Afternoon's card has yet to be determined.

5/4 - Athearn/Rohr Stable deserve credit for "Old Pacer" - Letter To The Editor

5/3 - We have gotten a report that the work done on the track surface at Bangor Raceway has been successful and Wednesday Night racing will go forward. The entry box for Wednesday closes on Sunday at 9:00 am.

5/1 - Old pacer not "Resistant" to new methods./

430 - Bangor Raceway has cancelled Sunday, May 4's race card due to unsuitable track conditions. Late closers will, of course, be pushed back a week.

Postponements irk Horsemen - From the Bangor Daily News

Heavy Rains prove problematic for harness horsemen - From the Bangor Daily News

4/28 - Bangor Raceway has cancelled Wednesday & Friday race cards due to unsuitable track conditions. Late closers scheduled for Friday will be moved back a week.

4/27 - Wins are plentiful for Cohenucopia

4/26 - Kevin Switzer - Birthday Boy Boogies

4/25 - We asked Jon Johnson, General Manager of Hollywood Slots, Bangor Raceway & OTB, to make a statement concerning the recent events at Bangor Raceway and the track conditions. You can read his comments here.

Mike Cushing -- From Announcer's Booth to Winner's Circle

4/24 - Bangor Raceway will hold qualifiers on Sunday Morning at 10:00 am and will hold the entry box for Wednesday open until after the qualifiers for those wishing to put in the box.

The Maine Harness Racing Commission is considering numerous rule changes for 2008. Follow this link to read the proposed rule changes. The commission office will take letters of public comment for the commission to consider before they render a vote on the changes. Letters must be received by May 5th

Bill Green's Maine will have a feature on the start of the harness racing season this weekend on WCSH in Portland (Ch. 6) and WLBZ in Bangor (Ch. 2) at 7:00 pm

4/23 - For the third straight weekend, the track conditions at Bangor Raceway are not suitable for racing, and thus they have cancelled racing for this weekend. The next race date will be Wednesday, April 30.

4/22 - The entry box for Bangor's Friday race card has been held over until Wednesday at 9:00 am. Anyone wishing to race Bangor on Friday Night is encouraged to call the race office.

4/20 - Wall Street Wally wows 'em at The Downs

4/19 - Campbell continues dominance at Scarborough Downs

4/18 - Kerogen KO's Scarborough Open

4/17 - Erskine graduate excels at harness racing in New York - Morning Sentinal

4/16 - Bangor Raceway has cancelled its weekend racing schedule due to poor track conditions. The condition sheet for next weekend has been posted with explanations of rescheduled late closers.

The MHHA will be posting their board of directors' agendas and minutes on their webpage. Here is a direct link.

Rep. Don Marean has given us an update from Augusta

4/15 - The draw at Bangor Raceway for Friday, April 18 has been held over until Wednesday. Entries will be taken up to 9:00 am.

4/14 - The agenda for April 24's Commission meeting has been posted. - Amended.

4/13 - Ryan Hall Earns First Win At Scarborough Downs

4/12 - SKITSOFRANTIC Mounts Crazy Upset In Scarborough Open

4/11 - Scarborough's Opener A Smashing Success.

4/10 -Jason Bartlett, Yonkers Raceway's leading driver thus far in 2008, won the 2,000th race of his career Thursday night. Bartlett guided the 5-year-old pacing mare Allikait Fighter ($5.20) to a 1:57, half-length win in the $8,000, ninth-race pace. Sean Campbell trained the winning favorite for owner Robert Costello. Bartlett drew within one victory of the milestone earlier in the evening when 2-1 choice AB Ruff Stuff ($6) went the distance in the $7,000, sixth-race pace. "It's something I'm very proud of, and I have so many people to thank for helping me," Bartlett said.  He, accompanied by wife Kristen, was recognized with a congratulatory sign in the winners' circle. Bartlett, a native of Augusta, ME, who turns 27 later this month, comes off his two best seasons, winning 928 races and more than $2.4 million in purses between 2006 and 2007.  He is currently in a tight battle with perennial Yonkers' champ Stephane Bouchard for early-season '08 honors. - Frank Drucker, Yonkers Raceway

4/9 - The winter has claimed another death as Bangor has cancelled Sunday's card due to track conditions. They will schedule another qualifier next week and we will post the particulars as soon as they are available. UPDATE - Qualifying races will be held Wednesday at 6:00 pm. Declare by Noon Tuesday.

4/9 - Scarborough Downs Prepares for Opening Weekend.

4/8 - Opening Night at Bangor Raceway has been cancelled. Track conditions and lack of entries have forced the cancellation. Sunday's card is still scheduled to go but the final decision on that will probably be held on Thursday. We will post more info when we get it.

Don Marean's Legislative Report has been updated.

4/2 - Heidi Rohr Stable fine tunes for 2008

4/1 - With the help of State Representative Donald Marean, we will start a legislative update page for all the goings on in Augusta. Here are his updates from the last two weeks.

3/28 - Long time State Steward Roger Smith, Sr, 94, has passed away.

3/28 - The MHHA is seeking a part time office assistant. The job description is posted here.

3/28 - A new filly arrived at the Hall/Ryder Stable in Newport ME on March 20th. Sired by RING OF LIFE, the proud mother is the WESTERN HANOVER mare DURBIN. Click on the picture for a larger view.

3/27 - Flanders scores three-bagger during Scarborough qualifiers

3/20 - Tonya Farrington, who works at Bangor Raceway as the State Vet Tech, lost her home and possessions from fire on Wednesday. For anyone who would like to help her, the MHHA will take donations and pass it along to Tonya. Please send any donations to the MHHA, PO Box 436, Augusta, ME 04332-0436 and please make a note on your donation "Tonya Farrington".

3/18 - The agenda for the Commission meeting April 3 has been posted. Be aware that the next Commission meeting on April 24 will include a public hearing on the proposed rule changes.

3/17 - Tomorrow is Agricultural Day at the Maine Legislature from 9AM to 1 PM. All horsemen are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Jon Seavey at the MHHA office at 623-6442.

3/14 - Michael Pease, son of Vaughn Pease and nephew to "Lucky" Pease,  was involved in a serious accident while working in the woods on March 7. His injuries have caused him to be paralized from the waist down. His friends and family have set up a website at www.caringbridge.org/visit/mikepease to raise funds to help him and his family during this time of need. Mike grew up helping his father and uncle with their racing stable and currently owns seven horses racing. His passion for his stable is still strong as he goes through this tragedy. Anyone wishing to donate can make checks or money orders payable to the Mike Pease Fund and send to Damariscotta Bank & Trust, P.O. Box 727, Union ME 04862

3/8 - The MHHA held their annual meeting today at the Augusta Civic Center. Newly elected board members were Wendy Ireland, Don Marean, and David Slocomb. Tim Powers, DVM was elected President, with Scott Dillon to serve as Vice President, Mike Hitchcock as Secretary, and Fran Hanley as Treasurer. Items on the agenda were passed as published with the exception that the by-law concerning annual meeting quorum was changed to read there must be three(3) times as many voting members as board members.

3/4 - From The Maine Amateur Driving Club - In 2007 The MADC had 45 paid members with 39 driving at least once. I have been working with Mike Sweeney concerning the upcoming season. As you know; there are many changes at Scarborough. The low claimer will be $3000 with various stipulations.
Tentatively, we will start opening week. Races will be Sundays $3000 claimers n/w of $1000 draw inside n/w of $2000 draw outside. (This is still on the board as they originally offered just the n/w of $1000) n/w of $1200 last 5 a/e $4000 claimers. Mike would like to do certain promotions including photos of club members and possibly a small essay including first win, favorite horse, number of years driving, etc. These may appear on the insert of the racing program and various spots around the Downs.
I won't be able to attend the races for the first few weeks. Joe Burke will have the forms in my place. For those who can send them to me; I urge you to get on it so I can fax the judges There is also talk of a points system . (might need help with this) We will join the USTA clubs and send someone to Delaware again Any questions call me at 207-743 2979 or e-mail buddy.burke@verizon.net GOOD LUCK TO ALL
Click here for the 2008 MADC Application.

2/29 - The Commission office has asked that if you have sent in your license applications for 2008 and have not yet received it, you should call Tim Drake in the Commission office at 287-3221. There are a number of applications that cannot be processed because of various reasons ranging from incomplete applications to grooms licenses not being able to be processed due to the trainer/owner that signed your application not yet being licensed.

2/22 - The agenda for the Harness Racing Commission meeting on February 28 has been posted.

2/21 - It's that time of year! Here's ALLAMERICAN REAGAN's first foal, born to the Cayouette Stable on the evening of the eclipse. Her mother is WINSUM MS.

2/21 - Clarke MacDonald of South Paris was a finalist for Harness Tracks of America's Caretaker of the Year Award. The award recognizes the contributions of horseracing grooms; in 2005, USA Today named it the worst job in sports. The Caretaker of the Year winner is chosen by a committee of harness racing executives and officials who all worked as grooms early in their careers.
MacDonald, 21, was nominated by horseowner Mary-Jane Robichaud, who documented MacDonald's dedication and acumen with three-year old pacer Frapper Joe, who finished second in the Maine Sire Stakes final. MacDonald's family is also active in the sport.
"Clark, with wisdom beyond his years, follows through in details large and small," Robichaud wrote in her nomination letter. "It is obvious the horse trusts him and that there is a mutual affection for one another. Clarke gives excellent care to all the horses he grooms, but I think the experience with Frapper Joe is a good illustration of a caretaker who is knowledgeable, skilled and caring." - from the Advertiser Democrat.