RAILBIRD

AUGUSTA — For the first time in the history of Maine harness racing, three extended meet race tracks will compete “head to head” and Scarborough Downs will simulcast 23 days of full racing cards from out-of-state race tracks over a six-week period in January and February.

In an effort to boost racing opportunities and generate higher parimutuel revenues, the commission approved nine fall extended-meet racing dates for Bangor Raceway during the month of October to be raced against Scarborough Downs. Bangor had requested 16.

In addition, County Raceway, an Aroostook County extended meet at Presque Isle, again was granted approval to go concurrently against Scarborough Downs for eight days during July. Bangor Raceway also has the option to add an additional day to its contemplated fall racing schedule. If Bangor opts for a four-day fall racing week during October, it must apply to the commission two months before the date it would like to add to the schedule.

The new changes were initiated at the last of the 1991 date hearings held by the Maine State Harness Racing Commission at the Augusta Civic Center. This time last year, hearings had not even commenced. The commission this year completed the process in two meetings.

Chairman James Harrington advised all extended meet and fair tracks that all the 1991 date allocations were awarded conditionally on all tracks meeting the conditions and improvements submitted in the state stewards annual plant inspection reports. The improvements ranged from widening the track at Topsham to accommodate eight-wide racing to secure adequate, trouble-free starting gates to additions in paddock areas. In addition, each track must show financial information as to solvency and ability to conduct an extended or fair race meet.

Bangor Raceway originally applied for a total of 62 race dates, 46 during the summer months and 16 during September and October. All Bangor dates were approved, except seven race dates in late September and early October which would put them racing against Farmington, Cumberland, and Fryeburg Fairs.

The commission considered the new Bangor racing program “experimental” for both the commission and Bangor, but moved to protect the agricultural fairs. Bangor’s dates are contingent on completion of the new track drainage system and track surface.

Skowhegan officials applied for 22 days, three consecutive weeks, but was cut back to 15 days because of a conflict with Topsham Fair.

Citing the fact that many horsemen were unwilling or unable to have horses ready for Scarborough’s March 1 opening for live racing, the commission placed the following restriction for racing in March. For that month, they will allow Scarborough to race up to 12 dashes weekdays, up to 13 Saturday, and up to 15 dashes Sunday. These totals include the two simulcasts that are allowed by Maine statute in each racing program, when necessary because of a shortage of horses.

Scarborough Downs owner Joseph Ricci had previously agreed he would work with the commission and the Maine horsemen to assure good racing at Scarborough. He did, however, point out to the commissioners that restricting the number of races he is allowed to race could mean a drop of some $3 million in parimutuel handle at Scarborough Downs in the spring.

Scarborough Downs had applied for 250 days, but the commission cut out four Tuesdays in May and July 8, bringing its total to 245 days. Scarborough, however, received permission to race double programs on the weekends of July 6-7 and July 13-14. They were denied a double racing card on Sept. 21, their final day before closing for Cumberland and Fryeburg fairs.

The following dates were approved on Friday for 1991:

Scarborough Downs (245 days) — Jan. 4 through Feb. 10, simulcast racing only; live racing commences on March 1 and concludes on Dec. 15.

Bangor Raceway (55 days) — May 24 through July 26, with nine fall dates over four weekends from Oct. 11-27;

County Raceway (8 days) — June 14-Aug. 2;

Skowhegan extended meet and fair (15 days) — July 27-Aug. 3 (extended, and Aug. 11-17 (fair);

Northern Maine Fair (7 days) — Aug. 3-10;

Topsham Fair (7 days) — Aug. 4-Aug.10;

Union Fair (7 days) — Aug. 18-24;

Windsor Fair (9 days) — Aug. 25-Sep. 2;

Farmington Fair (10 days) — Sept. 7-8-14 (extended), and Sept. 15-21 (fair);

Cumberland Fair (9 days) — Sept. 23-30, with double racing cards on Sept. 25 and 28;

Fryeburg Fair (6 days) — Oct. 1-6.