Bangor Raceway general manager Fred Nichols wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of crowds and betting action as the gates opened on Bangor Historic Track’s 123rd season this spring.

In addition to the fact that the track opened its season a month earlier this year, it faced competition for gamblers’ dollars from the Hollywood Slots casino located a little more than a furlong down the road on Main Street.

“Hollywood Slots didn’t open until November last year, so we figured that would cut into our action a little,” Nichols said.

Not only has that not been the case so far, Bangor Raceway’s betting figures have increased for the first four race dates of the 2006 season compared to 2005’s first four days.

“You can’t directly compare because it was a month later last year, but the betting has gone up,” Nichols said. “One of the concerns the horsemen had was that Slots wasn’t attached to the grandstand and that might have an effect, but in fact we’re up 16 percent.”

Nichols said the total handles (amounts of money bet per race date) for the first four dates are as follows: $31,181 on Friday, April 28; $33,623 Sunday, April 30; $28,008 last Friday; and $37,178 last Sunday. Last year, the first three days brought in $80,568 – a figure down about 20 percent from the 2004 opening weekend figure of $100,922. This year’s first three days fetched $92,812.

Another factor is weather, which has been primarily kind to Bangor this year.

“Last year, it rained like 23 of the first 25 days since we opened up,” Nichols said.

Nichols said he won’t know what effect, if any, Hollywood Slots is having on betting action or whether this early increase in betting is an aberration or a trend until mid-June.

“I’ll have a better feel for things then,” he said. “There have been more people here and I’m sure the higher purses help attract better horses and make for better races. Plus, the improvements we made here, especially inside, really help too.”

Nichols said reaction from veteran raceway patrons and first-timers alike has been universally positive.

That isn’t all that’s positive. The number of horses available is up everywhere, from the race cards to the stables, which are operating at full capacity.

“There are a lot of encouraging signs,” Nichols said. “We had many early dates last year with only eight races and we’ve had 10 the first night and then 12 on every date since. We probably won’t have any eight-race dates this year.

“Had I known last November that we’d have the number of horses we have now, I would have applied for a third day of racing each week on Saturdays,” Nichols said. “We do go to three days a week starting in June, but I’m sure we could do that now.”

You be the judge

All of Maine’s licensed associate and presiding harness racing judges have been summoned to the state capital later this month for a workshop of sorts.

“It’s a lot like the preseason officiating clinics they have for high school sports seasons,” said Maine State Harness Racing Commission chairman George McHale. “We’ll be discussing points of emphasis this season: Drug testing, multiple rules violations, and how they should be handled.”

McHale said judges are also asked for input and comments on the season so far, encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions, and told to bring up any problems that may have cropped up. The 12:30 p.m. meeting is May 18 at the Cross (state office) building in Augusta.

Andrew Neff can be reached at 990-8205, 1-800-310-8600 or at aneff@bangordailynews.net