by Mike Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — Opening day of the 2018 harness racing season at Scarborough Downs has been postponed as southern Maine continues to dig out and recover from a fierce succession of nor’easters and blizzards.

The opening of the season, originally scheduled for March 24, has now been pushed back one week to Saturday (March 31) with post time slated for 1:30 p.m. (EDT).

Qualifying races scheduled to be held on Saturday (March 17) have also been canceled.

“Two major storms within the past five days, both loaded with heavy, wet snow have forced the cancelation of pre-meet qualifying races,” said Stephen Cobbett, Scarborough Downs Director of Operations. “Without these qualifying sessions it would be impossible to card races for next weekend. Track employees are doing all that is humanly possible to prepare the facility and we are hopeful that Mother Nature will begin to cooperate so that the season can finally get underway next weekend.”

Qualifying races have been rescheduled for Wednesday (March 21), Saturday (March 24) and Tuesday (March 27) at 10 a.m.

A double draw for the new opening weekend will be conducted on Wednesday (March 28).

Scarborough Downs will proudly feature live harness racing on Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) through the month of April. For more information, visit www.ScarboroughDowns.com or visit our Facebook page.