by Michael Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — Spring finally broke winter’s determined grasp on southern Maine on Friday (April 10) as sunny skies and balmy breezes heralded the dawn of the 2009 harness racing season at Scarborough Downs while fans, punters and horsemen alike eagerly responded to the late afternoon call to the post.

Sea Dog Time, now racing from the Gretchen Athearn stable, was the first equine to answer that call as the 4-year-old Maine-bred pacer became the initial winner of the young season, visiting the winner’s circle off a picture perfect pocket-sitting journey engineered by driver Mark Athearn.

Derek Davis photo

Drew Campbell set the pace with Nunnerys Luck on Friday as Shawn Gray and Gold Ball lurked in the pocket.

Drew Campbell wasted precious little time in defense of his 2008 Downs driving title with his orange and black colors parading victorious twice during the nine-race card.

Campbell, subbing for injured teamster Jason MacDougall, established a brand new trotting mark (2:02.4) for the 5-year-old Plain Tag, then quickly followed that performance with a top rated placing behind the Crawford Shahan trained Nunnerys Luck, marking the first local victory for Shahan, whose outfit recently relocated to Scarborough from Dover Downs.

John Beckwith also shone on Friday as the veteran trot specialist expertly steered two high-steppers down victory lane, claiming the front-end route for both Jennys Jammies (2:01.4) before overpowering the $3,400 feature race field, coaxing a sterling gate-to-wire performance from the veteran trotter Dua Don N (2:00.2).

“The crowds were exuberant and the windows were busy,” remarked Downs’ General Manager Martina Mitchell. “Handle was up over last year’s Opening Day and the program seemed very well received. The groundwork has been laid for a successful season and if the roar of today’s crowd is any indication, 2009 will be one of our most exciting yet.”

Scarborough Downs proudly features live harness racing every Friday and Saturday evening at 4:15 p.m. (EDT). The popular Sunday matinees feature a 1:30 p.m. post time.