by Michael Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — After suffering through a historically tough winter, southern Maine’s harness racing fans came out in droves to witness the birth of the 2015 meet at Scarborough Downs on Saturday (March 28).

The faithful crowded the stands and cheered from the fences as ten ultra competitive races were showcased on a track groomed to perfection by a track crew who have worked tirelessly to combat whatever Mother Nature has had to throw at them.

“People responded to the lure of the horses and the great promotions we offered for Opening Day,” said Downs General Manager Martina Mitchell, “It was one of the largest and most enthusiastic Opening Day crowds in recent memory and all of us here at the track are committed to build upon today’s momentum.”

Derek Davis photo

Drew Campbell confidently steered Luvnuisfun off the car en route to a gate-to-wire score.

Drew Campbell wasted precious little time in establishing the fact that he was hungry to defend his 2014 Scarborough drivers’ championship as he steered the winners of the day’s first two races, nabbing the natural daily double with Kevin Gee’s Luvnuisfun in the first and Douglas Smith’s RD Misty in the second.

Campbell then gave way to others in the deep and talented drivers’ colony as Eddie Davis Jr. trumped all teamsters by scoring three wins from the ten races programmed. Included in that tally were American Plan and Leap Of Faith, two horses owned by William Fischer of Newfield, Maine.

Dan Deslandes was the other driver to win multiple events on the day as he closed out the program by securing top honors in both ends of the late daily double with Pam Gauthier and Katlyn Waterhouse’s Lucky Mac, followed quickly by Anthony D’Amico’s newly acquired Carrie Ann.

Live harness racing resumes at the seaside oval on Sunday (March 29) with a ten race matinee program which gets underway at 1:30 p.m. (EDT). Moving forward, Scarborough Downs will race next weekend on Saturday and Sunday with post times adjusted to 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.ScarboroughDowns.com or our Facebook page.