Scarborough Downs to honor Retiring Standardbreds on Sunday

 Michael M. Sweeney for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, Maine – Scarborough Downs is teaming up with the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of Maine to honor the racing careers of all horses who are retiring this season with a special ceremony during Sunday's (December 9, 2007) live card.

The event is open to all fourteen-year-old trotters and pacers who had ever raced at Scarborough Downs, as well as any current participants who will be hanging up their bridles this season.

Retirement is mandatory for all Standardbred race horses at the end of their 14th year, as mandated by the US Trotting Association.

The Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of Maine retrains Standardbred horses to become pleasure -- or riding -- horses, after their racing careers are over. In addition to marshalling at the ceremonies, they will be presenting the retirees with an embroidered saddle pad signifying their transition from racing to pleasure horse. An SPHO member will also be singing the National Anthem trackside on a retrained Standardbred while carrying the American Flag.

The horses being honored at Sunday's ceremonies are: Billsboybob, Running Home N, Rush Rush Russ, Patrick Henry, Ships Mutiney, and One on One. Ships Mutiney, a 10-year-old gray gelding who is also retiring on Sunday, will take the raceway one more time in Race 6; immediately after the race he will be brought to the Winner’s Circle where he will shed his harness racing gear in favor of a western saddle and will be ridden off the race track.

There will be a special tribute planned for the late Ray’s Dilemma A, a magnificent 14-year-old colt pacer who had to be humanely euthanized this past October 22 after succumbing to injury at the Downs.

The SPHO will also be on hand in the Grandstand with information booth and the public will have access to the horses used for marshalling. Scarborough Downs live racing post time is 12:05 pm. Admission is free. Scarborough Downs last day of the 2007 meet is Tuesday, December 11th..