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Retirees and Award Winners feted at Scarborough Downs
Michael M. Sweeney for Scarborough Downs Scarborough, Maine -In deference to yesterday’s heroes but with a tip of the cap offered to present day raceway stars, Scarborough Downs and the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of Maine (SPHO) presented a multitude of 2007 awards on Sunday during the afternoon harness card including certificates of retirement to six standardbred retirees and individual achievement awards to this season’s standout performers. Ships Mutiny led the parade of retirees, returning in front of the stands one final time following his last career start on Sunday. Ownership then passed from Laura Searway to Wendy Moulton as “Shipper” was ceremoniously stripped of his racing harness in favor of a fashionable new English saddle and was ridden off the raceway by Moulton to begin his new pleasure riding career. One On One also hung up his bridle on Sunday as Laurie Salzillo’s trot-bred revisited the raceway one final time. The ten-year-old will return to residence at the Pineholm Farm in Arundel, Maine where Laurie hopes to retrain him to serve as a therapeutic lesson horse to work with special needs children.
Billsboybob, who this year earned the distinction of becoming the fastest 14-year-old trotter in the history of the sport, was also honored in the special trackside ceremony. While facing mandatory retirement from overnight competition due to United States Trotting Association rules, owners Heidi Rohr and Robert Gray plan to harness up “Billy Bob” once again next season to join the amateur circuit as a participant in the Billings Amateur Driving Club.
Patrick Henry returned to the Downs after a one year absence to be recognized once more by his home-town fans. The 14-year-old Maine-bred has already found new digs on a local 75 acre country farm where he is adored by his adoptive family and excels as a trail horse.
“From the very moment Russ came into my life I knew he was special” Saindon said, “and now that his racing days are over I plan on teaching him to ride and maybe do some pleasure driving.”
Running Home N was the final 14-year-old to be honored – just three races after finishing a game second in his final career start. “Homer” immediately began his new career as the latest SPHO-Maine Ambassador Horse where he will represent the program at various public venues around New England.
For more information concerning the SPHO-Maine and the Ambassador Horse Program please visit them on-line at www.sphomaine.net .
The Scarborough Downs mission statement begins ‘… we are dedicated to the sport of harness racing as we strive to entertain the public and provide a livelihood for the equine industry …’ while the SPHO-Maine credo states their mission ‘… is to encourage recruitment, retraining, placement and promote the standardbred horse’s versatility …’
On Sunday afternoon the goals of both these organizations melded together and were gloriously exceeded, culminating in recognition of past accomplishments and the celebration of new beginnings.
Various year-end awards were also handed out on Sunday as Scarborough Downs recognized the outstanding performers from the 2007 season including:
Pacer of the Year Ashlee’s Big Guy Distaff Pacer of the Year Shady Sabrina Trotter of the Year Kerogen Claimer of the Year ($2500 - $3000 level) Diamonds Destiny Claimer of the Year ($4000 - $6000 level) CC Bag A Luck Claimer of the Year ($8000 level and up) Village Special Claimer of the Year (Trotter) **Tie** BillsBoyBob Birdsall Leo Cam’s Venture Award (for overcoming adversity) Nipas One
Driver and Trainer of the Year awards will be presented on Tuesday December 11th – the closing day of the 2007 Scarborough Downs meet.
Scarborough Downs proudly presents live harness racing on Monday (12-10) and Tuesday (12-11) this week with first post scheduled for 12:05 pm (EST). |
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