by Michael Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — Mother Nature continues to conspire against the southern Maine harness racing industry this year as unseasonable weather has forced Scarborough Downs to cancel their Sunday (December 28) program.

“Unusually warm temperatures arriving on the tail of last weekend’s heavy snow resulted in deteriorating track conditions,” said Scarborough spokeswoman Susan Higgins. “A committee made up of horsemen, racing officials and track management unanimously agreed that cancellation of the matinee was the prudent option.”

In order to accommodate the local horsemen, Scarborough Downs has arranged to add supplementary dashes to their next four performances with the programs for January 3, 4, 10 and 11 now scheduled to contain 13 races. Post time for these days has been moved up to 12:00 noon (EST) in order to facilitate the additional dashes.

Scarborough’s annual 14-year-old retirement ceremony (originally planned as part of Sunday’s card) has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 3.

Scarborough Downs proudly features live harness racing every Saturday and Sunday through January 11 with post time now slated for 12:00 noon (EST).