by Susan Higgins, director of marketing, Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — Harness race tracks across North America will be participating in Back to the Track festivities this weekend, sponsored by the United States Trotting Association, where fans are invited back to their favorite harness racing venue to enjoy a day of harness racing excitement and fan activities.

Scarborough Downs celebrates on Sunday (July 15) with a host of events and premier racing, including the return of the $25,000 Mid-Summer Classic Invitational, where Maine’s top pacers will compete for big prize money. Sunday post time is 1:05 p.m.

“We’re thrilled to bring back the Mid-Summer Classic,” said track announcer Mike Sweeney, “and we couldn’t be happier with the field — eight quality horses from top to bottom with no throw outs in sight. World champion Cactus Creek figures to guarantee a robust pace scenario as he flaunts his patented early speed from the rail while the classy Wholly Louy and the millionaire Silent Swing plot their strategies. Hotrod Falcon’s long-standing track record of 1:52.4 will definitely be in their cross hairs as the wire approaches on Sunday. This will surely be one for the archives.”

The field for the pacing event is as follows:

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1. Cactus Creek-Shawn Thayer-Jamie Gerard
2. Art’s Sake-Ron Cushing-Ron Cushing
3. Mr Nice Guy-Kevin Switzer-Kim Ireland
4. Wholly Louy-Gary Mosher-Joe Nelson
5. Silent Swing-Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin
6. Mr Vitti-Shawn Thayer-Randy Bickmore
7. Artillery Officer-Steve Nason-John Nason
8. Malek Hanover-Kevin Switzer, Jr.-Bo Sowers

With combined earnings of more than $4.23 million, this is the richest cast of characters ever assembled in one race in the 62-year history of Scarborough Downs.

Scarborough Downs last featured the $25,000 Mid-Summer Classic pace in 2010, which was won by “The Queen,” Shady Sabrina, who paced the mile in a track record setting 1:54.3.

Scarborough Downs’ Back to the Track events begin at 12 noon sharp with world champion Black Percheron horse and carriage rides around the track, courtesy of Trippcrest Farm of Harrison, Maine. Fans will be treated to $1 hot dogs, free Back To the Track t-shirts (while supplies last), driver autographs, a drawing for a ride in the starting car, and a grand prize drawing where one lucky patron will be invited back to the track for dinner for 10 with food catered by local new business Sea Smoke BBQ of Scarborough, with $30 to bet on each race (up to 10 races).

Admission to the event is free.