by Susan Higgins, Director of Marketing, Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — The Scarborough Downs staff is busy gearing up for opening weekend as the 108-day, 2013 live harness racing meet gets underway on Saturday (March 30) at 4 p.m. and Sunday (March 31) at 1:05 p.m.

Fridays will be added to the schedule beginning April 5 (4 p.m. post). The track is pleased to be racing on Monday (May 27), a Memorial Day card with a 1:05 p.m. post, and Thursdays will be added to the live race schedule June 20 (4 p.m. post).

“It’s been a long winter, and we’re counting down the days until racing starts up at The Downs,” said one fan on the Scarborough Downs Facebook page. “We know it’s spring when it’s opening day!”

A sentiment shared by many.

The horse and horsemen activity level at the track is also at a fever-pitch level. Twenty-seven qualifying races have been carded in anticipation of the upcoming meet, and among those shaking off the cobwebs last weekend were track record holders IPO Bluechip and Wholly Louy.

Derek Davis photo

Driver Shawn Thayer with IPO Bluechip, during a track record performance last season at Scarborough Downs.

IPO Bluechip, whose 1:57 score last season made her the fastest trotter ever to win in Maine, toyed with a field of claiming sorts in her prep mile as she stretched her legs for the first time in 2013. Defending Scarborough driving champion Shawn Thayer sat in the sulky for top-rated trainer Randy Bickmore, while showcasing the mare’s push-button efficiency in demonstrating her readiness to launch her latest campaign.

On the pacing side of the equation, divisional track record holder Wholly Louy showed no ill effects from his three months of down time, covering the course in a leisurely, yet efficient, romp in the park sort of effort, with veteran teamster Gary Mosher kicking the tires for trainer Joseph Nelson. The classy son of Camluck enters his 9-year-old season less than $3,000 removed from crossing the $900,000 level in career earnings and if last year’s tally of 14 wins is any indication, shows no signs of slowing down quite yet.

Opening day (Saturday) will feature a drawing for a 32” flat screen TV after race nine, as well as the return of Mystify Mike, a contest where one lucky patron is chosen at random to beat the track announcer’s selection in race five for a $25 betting voucher.

Members of the Maine Amateur Driving Club will also be presenting a check to representatives from the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, an equine rescue organization, with a donation of their purse money from the 2012 season.

In addition to a season chock-full of top harness racing action, the track is pleased to bring fans exciting events all season long. The Downs Club will be open during all Triple Crown events, starting with the Kentucky Derby on May 4, and will feature a delicious buffet catered through the returning partnership with CVC Catering Group of South Portland.

This is the sixth season that Downs’ fans will again enjoy free admission.

Weather conditions in Maine promise to be seasonable for the weekend, with temps nearing 50 degrees so fans can watch the horses from the rail.

For the complete racing schedule and a list of events planned for 2013, log onto www.ScarboroughDowns.com or call Susan Higgins, Director of Marketing, at 207.883.4331, ext. 1002, for more information.