Raceway primed for Friday opener

State and local harness racing officials expect this year’s extended meet at Bangor Raceway to come off without a hitch. Post time for the first race of the season is 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 18.

“It’s one of the earliest starts in Bangor Raceway history. Everything’s come through the winter real well.” said Michael Dyer, director of marketing for Bass Park, during a press conference Thursday.

“Everything’s in place. The horses are here. The first program is printed,” he said.

The industry across the country has been going through a slow, steady decline, but it continues to flourish in Bangor, said Owen Butler, director of racing.

Recent changes in the operation of the park should improve the integrity of racing in Bangor, Butler said. “I feel the public should have confidence in the integrity of this track.”

Drug tests are run on two horses in every race, and every driver is tested for alcohol, said Roger Smith, state steward. Other changes have been made to tighten access to the paddock area during races.

“I think that Bangor has set up a very adequate system of control,” Smith said.

The presiding judge at Bangor Raceway, Thomas J. Wiley, said the meet will be as clean as he can make it. “Any time you have a sporting event that there’s gambling on, people are suspicious,” Wiley said. “Harness racing is basically honest. I equate it to Ivory soap. It’s 99 and 44/100ths percent pure.”

One week ago agents from the Bureau of Intergovernmental Drug Enforcement arrested two men at Bass Park and charged them with trafficking in a schedule Z drug, steroids.

Speaking of the bust, Wiley said, “I think in reality, it was a blessing in disguise. It served to clear the air.”