Susan Higgins  for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, Maine – July 25, 2008:  Eleven women harness race drivers are slated to drive in two races on Sunday’s (7/27) card for Ladies’ Day at the Races - The Mildred Williams International Driving Series for Lady Drivers. They are:

 

1. Sherry Cushing – Farmington, ME
2. Donna Smith – Saco, Maine
3. Brenda Provost - Massachusetts
4. Kelly Case – Maine native, Pompano, FL
5. Stacey Lord – East Sebago, Maine
6. Ann Curran – Ontario, Canada (event coordinator)
7. Jolene Andrews – Plainridge, Massachusetts
8. Valerie Grondin – Corinna, Maine
9. Alison Hynes – Cumberland, Maine
10. Cheri-Lee Waugh-Eller – Vernon, NY
11. Elisabeth Jansen – Ontario, Canada

 

Mildred Williams participants wearing their racing gloves for charity. The Glove company, SSG, makes equestrian riding gloves. They will donate $2 per pair purchased to Breast Cancer Research.

This exclusively female driving series is named for Mildred Williams, a winner of over 500 races and a pioneer in getting the United States and Canadian Trotting Associations to license women drivers. This unique racing event is being hosted in conjunction with a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness, treatment, and research. Scarborough Downs will be supporting Ribbons for Ribbons,( http://ribbonsforribbons.tripod.com ) a charity developed by 16-year-old Bonney Eagle High School Student, Meaghan Martin, along with Maine Medical Center.

 

According to harness driver and Series coordinator, Ann Curran, from Ontario, Canada, The Mildred Williams Driving Series is meant to provide opportunity to female drivers, and encourage participation among the missing demographic of women race fans.

 

Thirty-tree harness tracks across North America are participating in the series this year, including The Meadowlands, Saratoga, Rockingham, and several Canadian race tracks. (For a list of participating tracks, go to http://mildredwilliams.ca/schedule/ ). The women drivers will be available for a meet and greet with the fans.

 

The female drivers will compete in Races 1 and 3 on Sunday; post time is 1:30 pm.  Admission is free. There will be an information table set up by Ribbons for Ribbons, who will be accepting donations and handing out information on the charity.  “Charlie” a 7-year-old retired Standardbred owned by Meaghan Martin, will be wearing his pink ribbons outside on the apron. He and Meaghan will do a short dressage demonstration after Race 3. There will also be a 50/50 raffle with proceeds also benefiting the charity.

 

Meaghan Martin will also be singing the National Anthem before live racing.

 

Dining in the Downs Club begins at 12:30 am on Sunday. For reservations call 207-883-3022.

 

For more information on the Mildred Williams International Driving Series, log onto http://mildredwilliams.ca/index.html

 

Sunday also features the first elimination leg of the Joseph Ricci Memorial Trot (Races 9 and 11). Purse is $10,000. The Joseph Ricci Memorial Trot $50,000 Final is slated for August 9th.

 

For more information, contact Susan Higgins at 207-883-4331 or email shiggins@scarboroughdowns.com.

 

Scarborough Downs proudly features live harness racing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 4:15 pm; and Sunday at 1:30 pm, with special events slated all season long. Visit us online at www.ScarboroughDowns.com.