Welcome to Scarborough Downs
Welcome to Scarborough Downs Harness Race Track, Maine's Showplace of harness racing and home to New England's fastest half-mile track!
Driver Shawn Gray’s UDRS ranking benefits Charity
Driver Shawn Gray closed out the 2011 racing season with a UDR of .440, the highest rating in all of North America, an accomplshment that was recognized at the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association banquet in Augusta on Saturday (1/21). Don Marean, the District 9 Representative of the USTA, told the crowd of guests that the USTA will make a $250 donation to the charity of Gray’s choice for his accomplishments. Gray chose St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Horses in the snow!
NIPAS ONE , the 14-year-old who just retired from racing this past December, enjoys a frolick in the snow during the last storm. Owner Dick Tourangeau says he may be 14, but he is very much like a 2-year-old. Nipa is still up for adoption -- if you're interested, you can contact Susan Higgins! He'd make a great riding horse and pet as he has a wonderful disposition. Photo by Peter McDonald.
Bing!
Bing, a retired Standardbred racehorse, jogs at the beach when the weather is warmer but on snowy days, romping and playing is what it's all about! His owner, Jen Flannigan says, "Apprently, it's great fun to bounce up and down repeatedly!" Photo by Jen Flannigan. Do you have a horse picture you'd like to submit for inclusion on our website or Facebook page? Email it to Susan Higgins!
Final day of live racing brings excitement and ceremony
CC BAG A LUCK nibbles a bouquet of carrots he received in the retirement ceremony at Scarborough Downs on Sunday. He and 9 other retired Standardbred racehorses hung up their bridles for the last time. On the left is his former owner, driver Drew Campbell, and on the right, his new owner, Katie Flaherty. Katie and her husband Kevin will be providing a brand a new home for CC. "He'll live here with us forever," said Katie. See the Retirement Ceremony program and the horses that are up for adoption here! Photo by Derek Davis.
Kerogen Leads the Post Parade in Farewell on Sunday
KEROGEN (with Kim Ireland) led the Post Parade in the Free For All trot on Sunday, to signify his last call to the race that made him King. He'll be standing stud at the KDK Standardbred farm in Cumblerland. But Sunday, he was all business and circled the track with the crowds and cameras watching his grace and speed. Photo by Derek Davis.
Berley Retires
Scarborough Downs bade farewell to the 2011 racing season on Sunday with phenomenal racing and the Standardbred Retirement Ceremony. Above is 14-year-old BERLEY with his entorage: Diane Frazier, Lisa Watson, Wally Watson, and Bradi and Lexy Snow. Berley is a registered Maine Stallion standing at the Dupuis Farm in Saco.
Two for Trainer Gray, and Driver Gray
It was a training double on Friday's program for Robert Gray; he had wins with trotter BWT EVERYTIME in Race 5, and with MANZEER, above, in Race 10 (with Shawn Gray driving in each of those races). Be sure you join us both Saturday and Sunday for Scarborough's Year End Awards, where we will honor Mr. Gray with the Loring Norton Award for a breakthrough season as a trainer, along with other awards. BWT Everytime will also be honored as Claimer of the Year (Trotting Division), so don't miss it! Congratulations to all! Photo by Derek Davis.
Three in a Row for Thayer!
It was three wins in a row for driver Shawn Thayer on Sunday (12/11) at Scarborough Downs.... Races 1, 2 and 3! And threes continue to dominate: the above picture was taken in Race 3 with the #3 mare, NOTHINGS EVER FREE. Congratulations, Shawn! Photo by Michael Newman.
Rupert Rupert does it again!
It was tight on the wire and an exciting finish in Race 10 on Saturday (12/10).... with RUPERT RUPERT (middle, in the white hood) the victor. This was the 10-year-old pacer's 3rd win in a row, and 62nd career victory. For driver Shawn Gray, a hearty congratulations on 3 driving wins on the day's program! Photo by Derek Davis
And a special Happy Birthday wish to driver Michael Kravchak who is back in Kentucky for the Winter!
I Double Dog Dare Ya!
S weet Performance Nets Sweet Rewards for Soul Chaser
SOUL CHASER had career win #53 on Sunday at the Downs (Drew Campbell driving). A big fan of Tim Horton's donuts, the 11-year-old pacer is a beautiful, classy ham! "He's got a certified sweet tooth and he makes sure everybody knows it," says trainer Bo Sowers.
Gray Tops North American UDRS
Shawn Gray put on a driving clinic at Scarborough Downs on Saturday (12/3) scoring 4 wins on the 12 race program while ably demonstrating the grit and talent that has made him the highest rated UDRS driver in all of North America this season. Read the Press Release. Photo by Michael Newman.
Star Alert!
18-year old rookie teamster, Aaron Hall secured his first extended Pari-mutuel win on Saturday, rallying late to just get up with FULLA FIRE whom he drove for his dad, Craig. Off to a fast start in his career, Saturday's win came in only his 2nd start after recently being elevated to provisional driver status by the Scarborough Downs judges. Photo by Michael Newman.
Switzer hangs on to Top Dog status
Driver Kevin Switzer maintains the edge over Drew Campbell as the meet's leading driver, but with 8 days left in the 2011 season, can he hang on to it? Read the release.... Photo by Derek Davis.
Kerogen is King
KEROGEN, two-time State of Maine Trotter of the Year (#1, on right), is still King of the Downs! He took his 61st trip to the Winner's Circle in the $7,000 Free-For-All on Sunday (with driver/trainer Kim Ireland in the sulky). Congratulations! Photo by Michael Newman.
Star Report: Congratulations to driver Shawn Gray for 3 driving wins on Sunday's program, and congrats go to driver Ron Cushing and RINTINTIN for a fabulous win in 1:56.3, the fastest time all day!
Rupert Rupert is Fast, Fast!
RUPERT RUPERT (with James Hardy driving), the classy 10-year-old pacer owned by Michelle Nelson and trained by Joseph Nelson of Temple, Maine, has the distinction of having the most sub-two-minute career wins in Maine, which just hit #60 on Saturday at The Downs. Time for that mile: 1:56.3! Congratulations! Photo by Derek Davis.
Star Report: Congrats to Western Victory and Jitterbug Hanover for the blistering time of 1:56.1 in race 9 on Saturday!
Switzerland!
The Switzers held the hot hand at Scarborough Downs on Black Friday (11/25)- Kevin, Jr. (above, with TIMJON, in race 2) had 2 driving wins on the day's program, while Dad Kevin, Sr., had three. Congratulations! Photo by Michael Newman.
Switzer on FIRE!
Driver Kevin Switzer, Jr. was HOT in the sulky on Sunday, winning 5 of the day's 12 races! Pictured above was win #5 and the final race of the day with HEY JEAN, a 4-year-old mare trained by Bo Sowers. Congratulations Kevin! See all of Kevin's wins here. Photo by Derek HB Davis.
Star Alert: Also congratulations to MISS ANNALISE - the mare extraordinare set a brand new lifetime mark of 1:56.1 on Sunday!
Shawn Gray - Mr. 2500!
Friends, family and horsemen gathered to honor driver Shawn Gray's 2500th career win, celebrated at Scarborough Downs on Saturday. Congratulations, Mr. 2500! Photo by Michael Newman.
A Tribute to Jerry Watson
The post parade for the third race at Scarborough Downs was a somber one on Friday. With the Downs' flags at half-staff and the balance of the field waiting in the paddock, the 4-year-old trotting mare, ENDLESS VACATION, paraded alone during a memorial tribute to her popular owner and trainer, Jerry Watson, who died Thursday of cancer. Driven by John Beckwith, the trotter slowly circled the oval as track announcer Mike Sweeney offered a tribute to Watson. After a moment of silence, the rest of the trotters entered the track. ENDLESS VACATION finished third in a dead heat (see photo, below). Photograph by Jay Burns.
The Dead Heat...
On Friday 11/18, it was a trotter's dead heat for 3rd place in Race 3 between Jerry Watson's ENDLESS VACATION (far left, with John Beckwith driving), and MAMAS BOO BEAR (with Kevin Switzer), center. The victor was SJ LUNARSSTRIKEONE (with Bobby Gray, far right). BANKING ON BARBIE (with Dude Goodblood) was second. Congratulations to all! Photo by Derek Davis.
The Fox gets busy in the sulky!
Driver Leigh "The Fox" Fitch had two wins on Sunday's 11-race program: the first was with Button Road in Race 2; the second was in Race 10 with the Todd Dubois-trainee, MORAN MORAN, above, a 7-year-old gelding owned by Bubba Larkin of Scarborough. Party at the Sulky Lounge! Photo by Michael Newman.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Horsemen in a Row!
STAR ALERT: Congratulations also to Driver Shawn Gray for 3 wins on Saturday's program! And Trainer Todd Dubois and Ataboy Bubba also get the Ataboy Award today!
Maine Harness Racing Gives Back Raises over $5k for 3 Maine Charities
Sunday, Nov. 6th: Brothers Drew (left) and Heath Campbell sign autographs for the fans on Sunday as part of Maine Harness Racing Gives Back, a day of racing excitement and giving, where a total of over $5,000 was raised and will be divided among these three Maine Charities: Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, Maine Cancer Foundation, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southern Maine. Drew and Heath competed in 3 splits of the Brother's Race to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Who was the faster brother? You'll have to click here to find out! Read the story on the USTA website... Photo by Derek Davis.
Star Report: Driver Sherry Cushing won both splits of the Mildred Williams Women's Driving Series for the Maine Cancer Foundation - Congratulations Sherry!
Sowers Wins with No Shoes
Driver/trainer Bo Sowers was wearing his usual driving boots, of course, but he had a win in the very first race on Sunday with No Shoes, one of the Maine Amateur Driver's races, which benefitted the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals. Congratulations, Bo! Photo by Derek Davis.
Sunday's Shout Outs: a big congratulations to KEROGEN who had his 60th career victory with driver/trainer Kim Ireland in race 11 on Sunday. Also a giant thank you to drivers Michael Kravchak and Kevin Switzer, Jr. for handicapping and calling all the races on Sunday's program. They did a phenomenal job! The fans loved it!
Star Report: Trainer Adrian Wisher gets three training wins on the Program on Sunday - Congratulations!
Jitterbug Hanover, the handsome gray gelding owned by Adrian Wisher and the Debron Stables of Watertown CT (Drew Campbell driving), had a lightning fast win in the 6th race on Saturday with a time of 1:56! It was the 4-year-old's first win of the season, too! Congratulations! Photo by Michael Newman.
Kravchak Kandu!
Driver Michael Kravchak had a win in Race 9 on Friday's program (11/4) with Kandu, a 4-year-old gelding trained by Kandace Schooley. Mike proves that he "can do" more than just drive: check him out on Sunday, Maine Harness Racing Gives Back charity day, where he and fellow teamster, Kevin Switzer, Jr., will be handicapping some of the races. Who knows, you might even hear him call a race or two! Photo by Derek Davis.
Getting ready for a milestone birthday
You may remember we reported in on JR's ZUB, a retired Standardbred racehorse now living in Texas... Debbie Allen tells us that Jr Will be 30 years old this March! (Foaled in March 1982 in Richfield Springs, N.Y). "Jr is doing very well for his age. He is the only horse we have, he seems to like being by himself. He does have a chicken and a duck for stable mates. He still goes to the pasture and at noontime, he comes in, stands by the fan and takes a nap, that is his everyday schedule. I claimed him in 1993 From Eddie Davis at Scarborough Downs. He had 11 wins and many show & places during the next 4 yrs. After a few years of retirement, we shipped him to the Houston, Texas area so he would be with us. His caretaker, Julie Allen (above, pictured), rode him for a few years, which was not a easy task, as Jr had only one speed -- FAST! He is still our special little horse, still a happy and playfull little horse." Thanks for the update, Debbie!
Girls Day out!
Racehorses Snap Dancer (left) and Gracie Gracie (both owned and trained by Fred Ward, Jr. of Brunswick) enjoy a sunset frolic at Pine Point. Photo by Katie Flaherty Photography.
Sunday Brings The Sulky Championships and 3 for Gray
Driver Shawn Gray scored 3 wins on the day's program on Sunday - above he cruises to the finish with MISS ANNALISE in Race 5. Congratulations, Shawn! Photo by Michael Newman.
And Congratulations to all the New England Sulky Championship Winners today: IZA BELLA, PEMBROKE EARL, PEMBROKE BOW BOW, and THENOR'EASTERBEAST!
Duelling Blue and Red on the Track!
Father-and-son team, John and Steve Nason, are close in real life but out on the track they're competitors! It was Steve (on the outside, with #4) who had this win with SUBLIME BEGONIA in the $6,000 Free-for-All trot on Saturday. Steve also had 3 victories on Saturday's program -- congratulations! SUBLIME is a 4-year-old bay mare, owned and trained by Richard Robertson, Jr. of Scarborough. If you were here on Sire Stakes Sunday last weekend, you may remember Sublime outside in the pen eating apples with the fans! Maybe that's the trick to winning? Photo by Derek Davis.
After the win in Race 11, Steve Nason (left) waits for dad John before heading back to the paddock. Photo by Derek Davis.
Steve Nason - Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!
Twenty-one-year-old Steve Nason enjoyed two driving wins on the day's program at the Downs on Friday; in Race 1, with THEDEVILSLETTUCE and in Race 7 with 7-year-old gelding, ROMPAWAY ZANE, above, owned and trained by Adrian Wisher. Nason is one of several drivers who will be competing in the "Brother's Race" on Sunday, Oct. 30th for Maine Harness Racing Gives Back, a day of harness racing excitement and giving. Read all the details! Photo by Derek Davis.
See the Bill Green piece on Nason and other young drivers at The Downs!
Sire Stakes Sunday - Excitement, Upsets, and Surprises!
Elizabeth MacKenzie Switzer holds a smiling 2-year-old Garrett Switzer, after daddy Kevin, Jr., won the $85,156 filly pace division of the 3-year-old Maine Sire Stakes Finals on Sunday. In a major upset, CBF Fancy (driven by Switzer, Jr.) persevered in the tightest of photo finishes over heavily favored Barbra Ann. Photo by Michael Newman.
TheNor'easterBeast, owned by Jack Kelley and the East Pond Stables of Oakland, Maine (Gary Mosher driving) was the winner of the pace for colts and geldings, which carried carried a $85,204 purse. The day was full of excitement and an enthusiastic crowd. "It reminded me of the old days," said announcer Mike Sweeney. Read the press release. See all the stakes winners. Photo by Derek Davis.
Read the Steve Solloway story in Portland Press Herald on Jack Kelley and TheNor'easterBeast
See Bill Green's "Green Outdoors" segment on two stakes horses, Maeve and Barbra Ann. Click here for more info!
Welcome Back!
It was a muddy day to welcome back the fans and horsemen on Friday, for the first day of the fall meet. Eleven exciting races for the fans in the stands! Super Cat Begonia, a 10-year-old mare and a Robert Gray trainee (with Kevin Switzer driving), was the winner in Race 5, and was one of three training wins for Gray on the day's program. Congratulations, and welcome back! Photo by Derek Davis
Farewell to the 2011 Summer Meet
Scarborough Downs bade farewell to the 2011 summer meet with the Maine Breeders Stakes 2-year-old Trotting and Pacing Finals on Sunday. Four splits were contested in front of an enthusiastic crowd with over $250k in purse money on the line. Above is One Little Star, owned by George Bellukian of Massachusetts (with Kevin Switzer driving), who was victorious in the $57,371 Filly Trot divison. Congratulations! Read the Press Release. Photo by Michael Newman.
Maeve Trumps her own track record again!
Three-year-old Maeve, owned, trained and driven by Kevin Switzer, in each of her last three starts at Scarborough Downs, has come to the races the owner of a brand new track record each time. Saturday’s performance, perhaps the most impressive of all, shaved 1/5 of a second off her previous benchmark, stopping the teletimer in a crystal 1:56.1. Wow, you go, girl! Read the release. Photo by Michael Newman.
