Scarborough Downs
Encyclopedia
Scarborough Downs is an American
horse racing
track
located in Scarborough, Maine. Scarborough Downs is Maine
's largest race track. It is home to a restaurant as well as a grandstand
for race viewing.
Scarborough Downs was constructed in 1950 as a racetrack for Thoroughbred horse race
s. It was the only one of its kind in the state. However, harness racing
was introduced in the 1960s and in September 1972 the track no longer hosted Thoroughbred racing. In the 2000s, the track began to offer simulcast
races from premier thoroughbred tracks along with those of harness racing.
On October 1, 1980, a pre-dawn fire at Scarborough Downs, ignited as the result of an overloaded electrical box
in a tack room
, destroyed a 240-foot barn, killing eleven horses.
On November 2, 2010 residents in Biddeford voted 59% (4,636 votes) to 41% (3,244 votes) to support the Relocation of Scarborough Downs and a new Racino complex on Andrews Road near Route 111 off the Maine Turnpike. The new complex with the help of Ocean Properties could be called Pepperell Downs Horse Track and Casino, the Scarborough Downs group led by owner Sharron Terry created a PAC called Pepperell Downs LLC. The complex would include a Hotel, an Entertainment Complex, Harness Track and Slot Machines. With the Approval of the Oxford County, Maine Casino by Maine Voters on November 2, 2010 there are indications now that the complex could also add Table Games as well once opened, as would Hollywood Slots Racino in Bangor. The plan is to open it in 2012.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
track
Race track
A race track is a purpose-built facility for racing of animals , automobiles, motorcycles or athletes. A race track may also feature grandstands or concourses. Some motorsport tracks are called speedways.A racetrack is a permanent facility or building...
located in Scarborough, Maine. Scarborough Downs is Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
's largest race track. It is home to a restaurant as well as a grandstand
Grandstand
A grandstand is a large and normally permanent structure for seating spectators, most often at a racetrack. This includes both auto racing and horse racing. The grandstand is in essence like a single section of a stadium, but differs from a stadium in that it does not wrap all or most of the way...
for race viewing.
Scarborough Downs was constructed in 1950 as a racetrack for Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide 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 National Hunt racing...
s. It was the only one of its kind in the state. However, harness racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
was introduced in the 1960s and in September 1972 the track no longer hosted Thoroughbred racing. In the 2000s, the track began to offer simulcast
Simulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
races from premier thoroughbred tracks along with those of harness racing.
On October 1, 1980, a pre-dawn fire at Scarborough Downs, ignited as the result of an overloaded electrical box
Junction box
An electrical junction box is a container for electrical connections, usually intended to conceal them from sight and meter tampering. A small metal or plastic junction box may form part of an electrical conduit wiring system in a building, or may be buried in the plaster of a wall, concealed...
in a tack room
Horse tack
Tack is a term used to describe any of the various equipment and accessories worn by horses in the course of their use as domesticated animals. Saddles, stirrups, bridles, halters, reins, bits, harnesses, martingales, and breastplates are all forms of horse tack...
, destroyed a 240-foot barn, killing eleven horses.
On November 2, 2010 residents in Biddeford voted 59% (4,636 votes) to 41% (3,244 votes) to support the Relocation of Scarborough Downs and a new Racino complex on Andrews Road near Route 111 off the Maine Turnpike. The new complex with the help of Ocean Properties could be called Pepperell Downs Horse Track and Casino, the Scarborough Downs group led by owner Sharron Terry created a PAC called Pepperell Downs LLC. The complex would include a Hotel, an Entertainment Complex, Harness Track and Slot Machines. With the Approval of the Oxford County, Maine Casino by Maine Voters on November 2, 2010 there are indications now that the complex could also add Table Games as well once opened, as would Hollywood Slots Racino in Bangor. The plan is to open it in 2012.