by Michael M. Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, Maine — The first Late Closing event of the season was launched at Scarborough Downs on Monday (May 14) — this one honoring the memory of local horseman, Eugene D’Alessandro.

“Geno,” as he was known to his friends, was an active owner/trainer/driver at Scarborough Downs and was renowned throughout New England and New York as an iconoclastic character.

Always ready with an outlandish racetrack tale, Geno could cajole an audience with his often vivid recollections of events long past. He was particularly found of recounting the glory days of Green Mountain Park — and any story about the legendary times at the Vermont oval would not be complete without a mention of Geno.

Fisher King was a popular winner in the first division of “The Geno” as driver Drew Campbell engineered a masterful second-over journey for the well-backed pacer. Campbell sat patient in the outer-flow before swooping three-wide around the final turn to overcome his rivals with a thrilling stretch duel — stopping the teletimer in a zippy 1:57.4.

It was the fifth consecutive win for the recently claimed pacer, who now races under the colors of William McElvain of Levant, Maine.

Guns Galore fired a warning shot to the competition as the second division of “Geno” hopefuls crossed the finish line. Under rein to Jason Bartlett, the Plainridge invader came charging with a flourish from far back to nip this bunch at 7-1 odds — earning his third seasonal trip to the winner’s circle.

Bartlett was a repeat winner in the third division — this time behind the Lisa Saindon conditioned pacer Goldstar Traveler. Now boasting three wins in only four seasonal outings, the son of Haralba played “catch-me-if-you-can” with this bunch for owner Jerry Kidder of Dixfield, Maine.

The Eugene D’Alessandro Pacing Series continues next Monday (May 21) with the second round of elimination races. The series will culminate with a $10,000 final on the big Memorial Day card planned for Monday, May 28.

Downs Doings: Work Out was the victor of Monday’s Open class event. Heath Campbell went pillar-to-post to claim the lion’s share of the $6,000 purse for owner John Baker…Mac N Ernie won his third straight since joining the Dana Ward Childs stable, causing owner Patrick Sweeney to exclaim, “Greens fees are on me this week.”…Purple and orange were the colors of the day as the Irving and Cheryl Mauran Stable made a triumphant return to The Downs with Off Keel getting the outfit off to a perfect start with a 1:58.3 triumph…Skitsofrantic made up for his costly break last week by toying with the back-up-class. Timed in 1:57.2, he was an in hand winner for trainer Andrew Bailey — a recent import from Saratoga Raceway…Jason Bartlett continued on his torrid pace, steering three winners on the 10-race program. Bartlett has now worked out 33 winning journeys on the season, nine more than Drew Campbell, his nearest rival.

Scarborough Downs proudly features live harness action every Monday, Tuesday and Saturday afternoon with first post scheduled for 3:45 p.m. (EDT). The popular Sunday matinees get underway at 12:05 p.m.

A special Preakness performance has been scheduled for this coming Saturday (May 19) with first post slated for 12:05 p.m.