Bangor, ME – Threes were wild as spring-like conditions made their first seasonal appearance at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (May 17). Temperatures climbed into the low-80s, the emerald green grass of the Bass Park infield was festooned with multitudes of dazzling yellow dandelions, and the fans sat in shirtsleeves as the action heated up on the course.
Cool Man Dude (1:56.4, $3) provided the Sunday paper headlines while collaring his third consecutive win since being acquired via the claim box by trainer Steven Vafiades for owners Scott and Michael McGee.
Gunned smartly from post 8 by driver Aaron Hall, the 8-year-old Western Vintage pacer was promptly tested throughout the early portion of the mile when a surprising early salvo was fired by the upstart Whats Inthe Esky A (driven by Colin DeCourcey), who applied persistent first-over pressure from the quarter-pole to five-eighths. But as the Esky ran dry, Cool Man Dude swelled up on the lead, eventually striding to a languid 4-1/4-length margin while corralling the 38th win of his career.
McGwire Sowers joined the triple your pleasure club on Sunday, working out a driving hat trick over the course of the nine-race program.
Sowers overcame a tepid 1:02.4 half set by Pacin Perfect (Kevin Switzer Jr.) to sprint off to an easy score with Windsong Napoleon (2:02.2, $12.60); glided gate-to-wire with Crosswinds Bobby B (1:58.1, $3.20), who strode through an accelerating :58 back half for trainer Autym Sowers; and once again claimed the pike route with the Richard Allaby-trained Walk It Talk It (1:58.1, $2.80), who also gamboled through an effortless :58 final half while claiming the 40th win of his career.
In other Bangor news, the live racing product at Bangor Raceway continues to be well-received both by the on-track patrons and by those watching and wagering along Bangor’s vast simulcasting network. Sunday’s live handle of $159,820 was the second-highest handle figure of the 2026 meet and represented the seventh consecutive occasion that handle has eclipsed the $100,000 mark this year. It is also the first time in the history of the track in which the first seven performances have each achieved $100k+ handles. The average daily handle at Bangor Raceway currently resides at the $139,865 level which represents a 70% increase over the comparable time period in 2026.
Live harness racing is proudly featured at Bangor Raceway on a two-day-per-week schedule, with the Wednesday cards going to post at 3 p.m. (EDT) followed by the popular Sunday matinees, which swing in behind the gate beginning at 12:10 p.m.
For those not able to come to the track, wagering and live video for Bangor Raceway, as well as hundreds of harness and Thoroughbred racetracks across the world, is available on Hollywood Races at www.hollywoodraces.com.
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.