Bangor, ME – Driver Andy Harrington emphatically stamped his impression on the compact eight-race program at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (May 24), hitting pay dirt early while jogging to an in-hand score in the opener before persevering by a whisker thin margin in the finale.
Guiding Downeast Spirit ($4.80) strategically off the car in the first, Harrington sat the pocket behind the unexpected early speed of 14-year-old Quick Fun N who was hustled through an opening panel of :27.4 by driver James Doucette.
Racing nose-to-helmet, Harrington vacated the pocket through the 5/8ths bend, dueled the rabbit to just past three-parts, and began to sprint clear as they approached the final turn. A glance over his shoulder midway through the stretch reveled nothing but daylight between his charge and his foes as Downeast Spirit coasted to a seven-length score timed in a breezy 1:57.3.
The win represents the eighth career victory for the 8-year-old Maine-bred son of Deuce Seelster, who is owned and trained by James Ramsdell.
Harrington rung the curtain down on Bangor’s Sunday matinee, engineering a dramatic duel between Readyfortheladys (1:58.1, $16.80) and General Ward (Kevin Switzer, Jr). Launching an overland assault on his front-running foe, Harrington had the General in his sites as the combatants navigated the final turn. And remaining diligent in pursuit through an epic stretch battle, he seemingly willed his charge to discharge General Ward by the scantest of margins at the wire.
Readyfortheladys is trained by Sara Harrington for owner Kallie Clark. The 8-year-old son of Always A Virgin won for the 29th time in his career on Sunday while securing his second win of his 2026 season.
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.
Readyfortheladys ekes out the narrowest of margins over General Ward at Bangor Raceway. Joe Shaw photo.