Penn National Gaming, owner of Holiday Slots in Bangor will appear before the Maine State Harness Racing Commission to request an increase in the number of days of racing at Bangor Raceway from twelve to fifteen days for the month of June, and from eight to eleven days for the month of October. The hearing will take place at 1:30 p.m. on June 24th at the Gambling Control Board, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta.
The additional days requested represent a 25% increase in the number of racing days for the month of June, and a nearly 40% increase for the month of October.
Two jockeys will also appear at the hearing for violation of the Harness Racing Commission rules. The RECORD has not yet learned where the violations occurred. One jockey will appeal his penalty for the alledged use of improper language and alleged assault, and the other jockey will appeal his penalty for the use of improper language and violation of Section 68, which reads as follows:
Section 68 Misconduct or Fraud
Any misconduct on the part of a licensee or participant, fraudulent in its nature or injurious to the character of racing, although not specified in these rules, is forbidden. Any person or persons who, individually or in concert with one another, shall fraudulently or corruptly, by any means, affect or attempt to affect the outcome of any race or affect a false registration or commit any other act injurious to the sport, shall be guilty of a Level One violation.
Another violation which occurs at raceways in Maine is maltreating and abusing horses, such as cutting horses with a whip. One fine levied against a jockey was for "marking his horse with the whip causing multiple welts." Other fines are routinely levied for kicking the horses.
Kindness to animals is deep-rooted in the hearts of the people of Maine. Any maltreatment of animals to feed the greed of gamesters from away is completely unacceptable. The RECORD will keep its readers informed of all instances of maltreatment of horses at the tracks.
It was once required under Maine law, along with daily scripture reading, to teach school children kindness to animals.
A sample school pledge read:
"I will be Kind to all Living Creatures and will try to Protect them from Cruel Usage."
The RECORD will work to fulfill this pledge on behalf of past generations of Mainers.
