Scarborough Downs will pay tribute to eight racehorses who are hanging up their harnesses for the final time with its 6th annual Standardbred Retirement Ceremony, slated for Sunday, December 23rd, 2012; post time is 12:05 pm, the final day of the 2012 live racing season. The ceremony will take place after Race 6.

As mandated by the United States Trotting Association, all Standardbred race horses must retire at the end of their 14th year. The eight retirees returning to the Downs, where they raced at one time during their careers, will be presented with a blanket that has been embroidered with each horse’s name and fastest lifetime mark, and will be led in a procession to the Winner’s Circle by each of their owners.

This year’s retirees are: AIR BORNE RANGER * FIVE CARAT DIAMOND * LOST THE FLIP * LEGAL TROUBLE N * STARBURST BLUECHIP * THE GREY BAY * STUBBY-N-BUBBY * WHITLOCK N.

“These noble animals have delighted us at the races year after year and now that their athletic careers have come to conclusion, it's only fitting that they be sent off to retirement in the grandest manner,” said Publicity Director, Mike Sweeney. “Standardbred race horses are versatile and sturdy stock and these eight have bright futures and many years left ahead of them. We send them off to their new careers with appreciation for past accomplishments and anticipation of great things to come.”

Two of the retirees, Five Carat Diamond and Whitlock N, raced at Scarborough Downs during the 2012 season. The Grey Bay, who officially retired from racing in 2004 and has been a riding horse for some time, will be marshaling the event, and will be fitted with a saddle and ridden off the track at the conclusion of the ceremony.

A commemorative program will be available for patrons that includes pictures and write-ups of each horse with their retirement plans. Some of the horses will be retrained as riding horses, and some will enjoy a quiet retirement. Horses that are up for adoption will include the owner’s contact information.

The Maine Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization, a non-profit organization which retrains Standardbreds to become “pleasure” or riding horses, will have an information booth in the Grandstand. They will also assist in the ceremony.

The public is invited to get up close to the fence to take pictures and see these wonderful athletes during the ceremony.

The name Standardbred originated because the early trotters (pacers would not come into the picture until later) were required to reach a certain standard of time for the mile distance in order be registered as part of the new breed. The mile is still the standard distance covered in nearly every harness race. The Standardbred breed is a versatile one, and its easy temperament makes it an ideal breed for riding.

Admission is free. For more information, contact Susan Higgins at 207-883-4331 x1002 or via cell phone at 207-756-9732