Skowhegan, ME — Veteran driver Bruce Ranger dominated the early portion of the Friday (Aug. 18) harness racing program at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds, scoring wins in two of the first four races on the 11-race pari-mutuel program. Under the threat of rain-soaked storm clouds zeroing in on the fairgrounds, the card was conducted in “lightning round” fashion, with the entire slate of races squeezed into but 2 hours and 21 minutes.

Ranger roared in first-over fashion as hometown hero Dempsey Hanover (1:58, $2.60) scored his first win of the season. The sophomore son of Stay Hungry powered past the field and extended his winning margin to 1-1/2 lengths for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Scott Dillon.

Ranger quickly followed up that win with one from his family roster as PBR Street Gang (1:58, $3.40) bullied his way to an early advantage and held off a determined finish line challenge to secure his fifth win of the season.

PBR Street Gang survived a late challenge to give Bruce Ranger a driving double at Skowhegan. Stephanie Gray photo.

Ranger’s wife, Mary, trains the 5-year-old son of JK Endofanera for the The Starters Call LLC.

Kevin Switzer Jr. also recorded a driving double.

The Skowhegan meet culminates on Saturday (Aug. 19), featuring the $15,000 Hight Memorial Invitational, which has attracted eight top-class pacers. First post is 1 p.m.