The Maine State Harness Racing Commission on Wednesday voted 5-0 to approve Bangor Raceway’s request for simulcasting harness races from out-of-state racetracks beginning Friday night.

Bangor has joined the trend of racetracks across the country and in Canada to augment their live racing programs with wagering simulcasts. The move undoubtedly will change harness racing in eastern and northern Maine forever, but it also could present a great potential for growth in the sport if properly presented and promoted.

In its inital venture, Bangor is scheduled to receive four live races from The Meadowlands (N.J.) via satellite signal on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, simulcasts will originate from Freehold Raceway (N.J.). On Monday, Memorial Day, it is back to The Meadowlands for four simulcasts. The signal goes from the two New Jersey tracks and is beamed to Las Vegas and relayed to Bangor.

Kurt Rogerson, general manager of the Bass Park Complex, said Rick Kane, race secretary at Bangor, has programmed 12 races on Friday, 10 on Saturday and 12 on Sunday. Monday’s races have not been drawn. Post times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

Rogerson said the fees of presenting simulcasts at Bangor Raceway varies from track to track, but he estimated it would average between three and seven percent of the total pool of any simulcast race.

Rogerson said he expects a few glitches in starting up the operation, but as of Thursday, the receiving dish was up and operating. As for dovetailing post times, Rogerson said it had been solved.

Barring any unforseen delays at either track, post times have been “set in cement” to accommodate the simulcasts. “The first race goes at 7:30 p.m., the second at 7:50 p.m., and the third race simulcast at 8:11 p.m.,” Rogerson said. “We have to maintain a time schedule.”

On July 1, co-mingling pools in Maine becomes legal. The Maine Legislature approved the measure which will take effect 90 days after the close of the legislative session. The co-mingling will allow racing patrons at Bangor Raceway to enter into pools created at host simulcast tracks, such are The Meadowlands.

The pools generated at major tracks are much larger than generated at Bangor and a large wager would not affect the odds. In co-mingling, the payoffs at Bangor Raceway are the same as shown on The Meadowlands tote board. Until July 1, Bangor Raceway will generate its own wagering pools for simulcasts.

Phil Tarr, executive director of the MSHRC, said Thursday that the city of Bangor now has all the same options as Scarborough Downs concerning simulcasting, including entering into a working agreement with a off-track-betting facility that has a first-class restaurant and is beyond the 75-mile radius rule of Bangor.

As a state licensee, the city of Bangor also could apply for full-card simulcasts during the colder winter months. It could also approve OTB facilities at other locations, such as Millinocket, Woodland or Caribou. The potential for expansion in eastern and northern Maine is tremendous, Tarr said.

ON FRIDAY, at Bangor, the four simulcasts from The Meadowlands include the third race, a $6,500 pace for 3- and 4-year-olds; the sixth race, a $14,000 pace for 4-year-olds; the seventh race, a $20,000 open pace for mares; and the 10th race, a $15,000 pace for fillies and mares who are non-winners of $10,000 in their last seven starts. Also, live racing includes the first leg of “The Boys of Summer Series,” with prerace favorite Delightor and Donny Richards with the rail position. The duo were a winning combination last Sunday at Bangor in 1:59.3, the first sub two-minute mile of the meet.

PACING BITS – In other business on Wednesday, the commission denied licenses for Robert Sumner to drive or train in Maine for the 1992 season. The commission’s decision, however, could be appealed to a Superior Court by Sumner if he chooses.