by Susan Higgins, for the Maine Harness Racing Promotion Board

Scarborough, ME — The Maine harness racing industry is partnering with the Portland Sea Dogs for the first-ever Harness at Hadlock event, Wednesday (May 28) at 6 p.m. at Hadlock Field in Portland.

Members of the Maine Harness Racing Promotion Board, the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association and the Maine Standardbred Breeders & Owners association will have a presence at the ballpark to introduce baseball fans to the sport of harness racing.

“Like baseball, harness racing in Maine is a very family-oriented sport, and has been bringing families together for over 150 years,” said MHHA president Timothy Powers, DVM. “We are thrilled as an industry to be able to introduce our sport to new fans, to showcase our superb equine athletes, our racing drivers, as well as our enthusiastic fans to Sea Dogs baseball. It’s a win-win for both our sports.”

Program attractions include: racehorses Roadshow Vic and Honored Hall from the Cushing Stable of Farmington will be at the ballpark entrance to meet and greet fans; Maine’s best and brightest harness racing drivers will sign autographs; up-and-coming rookie driver Nick Graffam, who hails from a long line of industry celebrities, will throw out the first pitch; and “Winny,” the Promotion Board horse mascot, will be handing out promotional items to the fans.

Maine-bred pacer Sea Dog Time, out for a training mile with his owner/driver/trainer Mark Athearn at Cumberland Fairgrounds.

The star attraction of the night will be Maine-bred racehorse Sea Dog Time, owned and trained by Gretchen and Mark Athearn of North Yarmouth, who will be walked around the bases in front of the fans prior to the game and be in his horse trailer for a meet and greet with the fans during the game.

“The Portland Sea Dogs are looking forward to this “Harness at Hadlock” event,” said Sea Dogs Sr. Vice President John Kameisha. “What better way to kick off the summer season than to attend a great baseball game and support the Maine harness racing industry!”

General admission tickets are being sold at Scarborough Downs, Bangor Raceway and through the MHHA office for $6, with $1 of each pre-sale benefiting the Maine Standardbred Welfare Support Fund; otherwise, cost is $8 at the gate.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the game, which features the Portland Sea Dogs versus the New Britain (CT) Rock Cats, will begin at 6 p.m. sharp.

For more information and tickets, contact Susan Higgins at Scarborough Downs (207.883.4331, ext. 1002), Donna DuBois of the MHHA (207.641.5431), or call the MHHA office (207.623.6442).