AUGUSTA – The “trickle down” effect from the establishment of the Hollywood Slots casino in Bangor has become more of a steady rain of financial support for Maine’s harness racing community.

Further evidence of this was presented at Thursday’s Maine State Harness Racing Commission monthly meeting as MSHRC executive director Henry Jackson unveiled the recommended base purse for the 2006 season.

The recommended base purse – the projected minimum purse for each Maine Sire Stakes Race this season based on estimated figures that could change (since the 2006 financial year is only one-quarter old) – has jumped a whopping 150 percent from $2,800 in 2005 to $7,000 this year.

“This is really a boon to the industry,” said Diann W. Perkins, president of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. “We were looking for something to turn us around just a few years ago and the money coming in from the slots has really been a big shot in the arm.”

What this means is each of the 140 projected Sire Stakes races scheduled this season will offer at least a $7,000 purse. For example, if a race purse is $7,000, the winner would get $3,500, the place (runner-up) horse would get $1,750, and the show (third place) horse gets $840. The standard purse payout structure is as follows: 50 percent for win, 25 for place, 12 for show, 8 for fourth place, and 5 for fifth.

By law, Maine’s harness racing industry gets 22 percent of Hollywood Slots’ net profits (10 percent to the regular race purses for Maine’s 11 race tracks, 4 for commercial tracks, 3 for fairs, 3 for the Sire Stakes, and 2 for off-track betting facilities). The projected total for the Sire Stakes’ take this year is $785,000.

Perkins said that after the racino bill was passed in November 2003, people were convinced to buy more horses for breeding purposes.

“We bred more horses that year [2004] and this is the first year we are seeing the results of that breeding with an increase of 50 yearlings, and I think you’re going to see more mares bred as well this year,” Perkins said.

After a slight increase (only the second since 1997) in the number or yearlings from 124 in 2004 to 137 last year, this year’s supply has ballooned to 185 (as of Feb. 15), the largest increase since 1997.

“I’m very pleased. This will make a big difference in our whole program by getting more people in the industry, increasing the horse supply, and helping make the industry more viable for people to make a living at it,” said Perkins. “It also indirectly helps people who supply horsemen with things like hay, horseshoes, and other materials and services.”

Judging from them…

Eleven of Maine’s licensed associate and presiding harness racing judges converged on Augusta Thursday for an informal talk and informational session with the Maine State Harness Racing Commission.

Judges representing every region of the state’s racing community offered insight, complaints, and suggestions regarding the enforcement and interpretation of rules as well as ways the enforcement process could be streamlined and better managed.

“It’s very difficult to define some rules for certain violations that sort of fall between the cracks,” said Charlie Malia of Portland. “Another problem is there are different rules for different associations and states, and many people who watch simulcast racing a lot wonder why we rule a certain way, not knowing our rules are different than other states.”

Steve Mancini of Scarborough talked about verbal abuse or threatening language which – though not often – judges are subjected to from people called for rules violations.

“It’s like a motorist caught by a policeman for speeding,” said Maine Assistant Attorney General Jack Richards. “If the guy speeding starts mouthing off at the cop about a $100 fine, that cop can increase it to $150 if he’s getting grief, and $200 if it keeps up.”

“Don’t be afraid to penalize people with the heaviest possible punishment if they’re being abusive,” said MSHRC chairman George McHale. “We want to crack down on every bit of illegal activity in harness racing, and the public wants us to do that. You don’t need to be subjected to that just for enforcing rules they should be familiar with.”

All five MSHRC members were also strongly encouraged to attend an entire race day at a local track and follow around a judge to get a better idea of the variety of things they encounter on the job.

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