Harrington delivers triple in muddy finale

Bangor, Maine …  Mother Nature sent torrential rains and bone-chilling winds to heralded the conclusion of the 2026 harness racing season at Bangor Raceway on Saturday (November 7). 

The scene was just a tad surreal as the mud-caked drivers became nearly unrecognizable, their familiar bright colors, once-vibrantly hued, muddling into various shades of grays and browns.  But the horses were willing and the teamsters compliant and the punters refused to allow their closing day spirits to be dampened by Maine’s often fickle November weather.

Driver Andy Harrington held the hot hand on the closing day card, putting the exclamation mark on an extremely strong fall meet performance at historic Bass Park, while teaming three winners down the muddy Bangor stretch on Saturday. Harrington’s conquests included the aptly named Downseast Spirit (2:07, $3.40) from the James Ramsdell stable, along with a pair from his wife, Sara Harrington’s razor sharp roster, Eazy Hunting (2:07.1, $7.60) and Never Say Never (2:06.3, $3) – the latter of which won for the 59th time in his career.

Other torrid commodities on the blustery day included drivers Kevin Switzer, Jr and Aaron Hall who each scored a pair of winners on the card , and trainer Benson Merrill who also sent two winners to the post. 

Heath Campbell and Valerie Grondin secured the leading driver and trainer titles for the 2026 meet with Campbell teaming a total of 74 winners home at Bangor while Grondin sent out 30 victorious steeds from her well-conditioned stable.

The Campbell/Grondin connection teamed up once again on Saturday, emphatically stamping their imprint on the closing day card, when Gold Star Spider (2:07.2, $20) rallied smartly as front-end speed faltered, gliding over the gooey-going to claim the 37th win of his career.

GOLD STAR SPIDER REPLAY

With the fires now banked and the snowplows at the ready, historic Bass Park will soon settle down into a well-deserved winter hiatus. But pending Maine State Harness Racing Commission approval, Bangor Raceway will once again lead forth upon the northern-New England circuit in 2027, anticipating its traditional, late-April opening day.

For complete information regarding live racing, simulcast wagering, gaming, dining, and hotel accommodations at Bangor’s Hollywood Casino and Raceway, please visit the website at www.hollywoodcasinobangor.com.

Photo by Joe Shaw – Gold Star Spider have a muddy Heath Campbell his meet leading 74th driving win at Bangor Raceway on Saturday. 

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Mike Sweeney for Bangor Raceway