Bangor, ME – Enthusiasm was in abundance at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (July 19) as the 25-day spring/summer meet came to its glorious conclusion while heralding unheard of heights in practically every business category imaginable.
All-time records were set in handle generation over the period as the 2026 average daily handle (ADH) spiked to $151,352, a 50.54% increase over the then-record 2025 figure of $100,537 and towering over the ADH of $69,089 that was the norm just five years ago in 2022.
Steady, incremental growth was also demonstrated in average handle per race which has climbed to a record $15,309 in 2026, representing a 41.01% increase over 2025’s then-record average of $10,857 and nearly doubling the $7,851 average per race churn generated five years ago in 2022.
Bangor’s average overnight purses offered per day rose to a record $49,528 during the just concluded meet, an increase of 14.73% over 2025’s high water mark of $43,170 while the average overnight purse per race topped out at $4,993, a 7.31% increase over 2025.
All this accomplished while Bangor Raceway offered two additional race dates (25) over the same period in 2025 (23) while carding 30 more races (248) than last season (218).
“It was a great summer meet, featuring full fields and record-setting handle for the Raceway” remarked Bangor’s director of racing, Thomas Smith, “I’m incredibly grateful for the hard work our entire team has put in, and the results speak for themselves. We look forward to building on this success when we return during the Bangor State Fair and then again during our fall meets in September and October.”
In other Bangor news, driver Chris Long held the hot hand during the closing day performance as the graduate of the state-of-Maine circuit returned home for the day from his current base of Saratoga Raceway.
Long scored four wins over the course of the program, including victories with Real Horrorshow (2:00.2, NB) as he capably subbed for regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. in a $15,434 Maine Sire Stakes split; Moneymakesherhappy (1:57.3, $4.20), who took air to the half before pulling away to romp by 11-3/4 lengths; Rockford Peach (2:01.4, $2.60), who powered to the lead through a contested opening quarter and never looked back; and Timely Bet (1:56.4,$4.20), who soared gate-to-wire as one of two Sunday winners from the Michelle Lefebvre stable.
“It’s the first time I’ve been up here in a little while” Long explained. “Kevin Switzer and his son had to go to Plainridge for the Spirit of Massachusetts Day (Sunday) afternoon. They asked me to come up and drive Real Horrorshow and so it worked out nicely for me to step into a nice spot.”
In further closing day Bangor news, Heath Campbell led all drivers over the course of the spring/summer meet, amassing 46 wins to edge Aaron Hall, who drove 45 winners. On the training side of the ledger, Richard Allaby won the early season laurels while sending 19 winners to the post, three more than Valerie Grondin’s 16.
Racing will return to historic Bass Park during the Bangor State Fair, with evening cards planned for Thursday, July 30, and Wednesday, Aug. 5, featuring a 6 p.m. post.
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.