Bangor, ME – Maine’s agricultural fairground circuit kicked off its two-month late-summer run on Thursday (July 30), hosting its first pari-mutuel harness racing session of the 2026 season with a well-received nine-race card at Bangor State Fair’s historic Bass Park.
Driver Aaron Hall and trainer Jamie Gerard held some of the hottest hands during the evening performance, teaming up to score twin-wins on the card beginning with a relative newcomer to the Gerard roster, Rockin Roger (2:02.1, $4), who secured his first win of the season while making just his second start on the Maine circuit.
Getting away fifth from the rail, Hall engineered a strategic second-over journey, drafting behind Pacin Perfect (Russell Lanpher III) as the outer-flow took dogged chase after an extremely hard working and front-running Cash Crazy Express (Shawn Thayer) before swooping past the leaders around the final bend.
“He raced really good tonight,” Hall remarked. “I had the rail; he didn’t really leave out of there that good, but it really worked out better. I got a good second-over trip, I had great cover who took me where I needed tpo go, and when I pulled, he really responded.”
The win marked the 41st victory lap for the 12-year-old son of Big Bad John.
Polyester (1:57.1, $8.60) managed things a bit handier for Hall and Gerard later in the card while cruising through a sterling gate-to-wire triumph, featuring a chase-discouraging :57.1 back half.
“She’s a really consistent mare and she’s good on the front so when you get the rail you try to protect,” Hall explained. “Tonight was about as good as you get. She came a really good back half and when I called on her at the head of the stretch, she took off.”
The win was the fourth of the season and 29th of the career for the 6-year-old daughter of Dude’s The Man. She now boasts wins in three of her last five appearances.
Racing will resume at the Bangor State Fair on Wednesday (Aug. 5) featuring a 6 p.m. (EDT) post time.
For those not able to come to the track, wagering and live video for the Bangor State Fair, 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.