Senior Citizens Prep at Scarborough Downs

 Michael M. Sweeney for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, Maine – Qualifying action continues to take center stage at Scarborough Downs this week as the much anticipated April 14th Opening Day fast approaches. Dozens of horses have thus far been entered to prep for the upcoming season, but the next round of morning contests will feature some campaigners who are just a little bit out of the ordinary.

By rule, harness horses are allowed to compete in pari-mutuel races until January 1st of their 15th year, but the day to day pressures of a successful racing career make appearances by these aged wonders a rarity indeed. But through the happy circumstance of dedicated local trainers and a variety of racing opportunities, the Scarborough Downs fan has been fortunate to watch many of theses ageless wonders compete over the years.

This season should be no different as Saturday’s morning events will see a bevy of grand-old-timers head to post. A total of four 14-year-olds and two 13-year-olds will tread the historic stone dust at The Downs as they embark on their final season of racing glory.

Rush Rush Russ will be sent postward by trainer Lisa Saindon in harness to top Downs reins man, Drew Campbell. This son of On The Road Again has won 57 races from an astounding 331 starts in a career that has seen him compete against such standouts as Ruthless Dragon, Town Prophet and Easter Sun Hannah. This winner of over $230,000 lifetime makes no concession to age - boasting five trips to the winners circle in each of his last two seasons.

Rays Dilemma A will join in the festivities on Saturday with owner and top Billings Driver, Todd Whitney, sulky sitting the winner of 44 lifetime events. This resilient son of Resonator enjoyed an outstanding campaign last season earning six trips to the winners circle while scoring top-three-finishes in 13 of 16 starts.

Billsboybob will represent the geriatric trotting set, sporting the patriotic colors of owner/driver/trainer Onil Bibeau. This classy son of Dakota Spur who began his career as a four-time-winner in the Ohio Stakes program as a two-year-old, continues to post impressive numbers into old-age as witnessed by his 9-top-tallies in 2006.

Running Home N completes the quartet of 14-year-olds scheduled to compete on Saturday. The New Zealand import arrived late on the scene in this country, but has mustered 18 domestic wins since joining the stateside fray in 2002.

Drew Campbell will steer for owner-trainer David Miller.

Relatively young - at age 13 - Wingswept Robin heads back to the track on Saturday for legendary conditioner, Elmer Ballard. A mainstay in state of Maine racing for over a decade, Wingswept Robin has faced and defeated the best of his generation; vanquishing such Scarborough stalwarts as Postcard Jack, Township Cahoots, SK Hurricane, Western Comet, Mister Ad and Alan’s Curragh.

Rounding out the aged agenda will be the winner of 33 races lifetime, Clear The Board N. Regular pilot, Shane Taggart, will steer the 13-year-old for owner/trainer Myron Phinney.

Join us at 10:30 on Saturday as these ageless wonders prepare for their final season of racing. Then tune in throughout the year as they continue to strut their stuff on the big time oval at Maine’s Showplace of harness racing – Scarborough Downs.

Scarborough Downs proudly features live harness action every Monday, Tuesday and Saturday afternoon with first post scheduled for 3:45 pm (EDT). The popular Sunday matinees get underway quite promptly at 12:05 pm

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