Scarborough Downs Race Track was a

horse-racing Horse racing is an equestrianism, equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all spor ...

track located in Scarborough, Maine, United States. It was Maine's largest race track. It was home to The Downs Club restaurant as well as a

grandstand A grandstand is a normally permanent structure for seating spectators, typically at sports stadiums and including both auto racing and horse racing. The grandstand is in essence like a single section of a stadium, but differs from a stadium i ...

for race viewing, and includes 2 track-side lounges as well as a VIP Room. It held its final races on November 30, 2020. Scarborough Downs was constructed in 1949 as a racetrack for

thoroughbred horse race Thoroughbred racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport – flat racing and jump racing, the latter known as National Hunt racing in ...

s and was completed in 1950. It was the only one of its kind in the state.

Harness racing Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait (a trot or a pace). They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, spider, or chariot occupied by a driver. In Europe, and less frequently in Australia ...

was introduced in the 1960s and for a while the track hosted both types of horse racing. However, in September 1972 the track became solely a harness racing track. In the 2000s, owner Joseph Ricci, also known for being one of the founders of the infamous Élan School, introduced simulcast wagering and the track began to offer

simulcast Simulcast (a portmanteau of "simultaneous broadcast") is the broadcasting of programs or events across more than one resolution, bitrate or medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at exactly the same time (that is, simultaneously) ...

races from premier thoroughbred and harness tracks from around North America. On October 1, 1980, a pre-dawn fire at Scarborough Downs, ignited as the result of an overloaded electrical box in a

tack room Tack is equipment or accessories equipped on horses and other equines in the course of their use as domesticated animals. This equipment includes such items as saddles, stirrups, bridles, halters, reins, bits, and harnesses. Equipping a horse i ...

, destroyed a 240-foot barn, killing eleven horses. The track hosted its final race ever on November 28, 2020, due to an agreement with developer Mike Cianchette, great-nephew of former Bangor and Lewiston Track Owner Bud Cianchette. The racing meet will move to Cumberland Fairgrounds which has held long meets before, with the expectation it will be full-time horse racing course by 2022. MaineHealth used the facility as a

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

vaccine distribution site beginning in February 2021.

References

External links

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Scarborough Downs track photographers website

Maine Harness Racing

Biddeford Downs

The Maine Attraction
Defunct horse racing venues in Maine Defunct horse racing venues in the United States Sports venues completed in 1950 Harness racing venues in the United States Tourist attractions in Cumberland County, Maine Buildings and structures in Scarborough, Maine Horse racing venues in Maine {{Maine-sports-venue-stub