BRIDGEWATER, Me. (WAGM) – Harness racing in the State of Maine will ramp up next week. Scarborough Downs has been racing for a little over a month and next week horses will go to the gate at Bangor Raceway. Neal Grass and his family of Bridgewater are getting six horses ready to race
Grass says they have training and jogging the horses for a couple of months now
Grass:" It has been more of a challenge this year because of the excessive amounts of snow. The snow holding on later and then turning into mud. We have managed to do ok. We have missed just four days of training since February. We are going to be ready."
Grass and his family have been involved in racing for a few years now. They were always fans of racing and decided to take the next step
Grass:" Let's try it we started out with one or two that weren't so good and the last three or four years we have picked up better horses.
(Sharon Grass):" We would go and watch the races. We were always curious in the amount of work it was and when we got involved in it we found out is seven days a week."
Sharon says there is nothing like seeing your horse win the race and get the picture taken
Grass:" We have had winners back to back . It is so exciting you have one coming in from getting the picture taken in the winners circle and you have another one going out to race and then back into the winners circle so it is exciting."
They have been trucking their horses to Bangor for training trips the last few weeks and will attempt to qualify the horses next week.
Grass:" The last three years we have invested a lot into the business to grow the business. Instead of just doing it as a hobby we are trying to do it as a business."
Sharon says that she has developed a real bond with the horses
Grass:" For me personally it is the love for the horses first . I love taking care of them love coming out here they are my best friends."