The defending champion and Maine’s fastest trotter in 2005 headline the field for the $25,000 Joseph Ricci Memorial Trot to be held at Scarborough Downs this coming Saturday evening. The invitational event is the track’s feature race of the season and honors the memory of Joseph Ricci, who owned the track for more than two decades prior to passing away in 2001.  

Current Cast, who starts from post position eight, won the event last season and is sharp entering this year’s race. The veteran trotter has victories in three feature trots at Scarborough this season, and his 2:00.2 victory on June 17 is the fastest trotting event at the Downs this season. A winner of more than $200,000 lifetime, Current Cast is owned by Tom Dillon of Anson and Walter Hight of Skowhegan, along with Jim Doherty of New Jersey. Don Richards is the trainer and driver. 

The fastest trotter in the state this season is Stars Photo, who has won two starts at Bangor in identical times of 2:00 for owner Bill Varney of Bangor. The eight-year-old has won more than fifty races in his career, and seeks to win his first Ricci Memorial after finishing second this past two seasons. Stars Photo will start from post position seven, and will enjoy the driving services of Heath Campbell.

The balance of the field, from the rail out, includes Diaz Kash, who has been racing in the top trots at Saratoga. A winner already this season in 2:00.1 over the half-mile oval, Diaz Kash has two wins and more than $20,000 in earnings thus far in 2005. He is owned by Irwin Kaplan of Merrick, New York and trained by Sean Campbell. Maine native David Ingraham will do the driving. 

Desperado Don, who starts from post two, is making his third appearance in the annual event. However this will be his first for trainer-driver Ron Cushing. Desperado Don, who is owned by David Struck and Larry Makimaa of Michigan, has already recorded victories this season at Plainridge Racecourse, Rockingham Park and Scarborough Downs. 

From post three starts Mister Rhubarb. Owned by the RAM Racing Stables of Portland, Mister Rhubarb’s bankroll of more than $30,000 makes him the highest money earner in the field this season. The five-year-old had been competing in the top trots at Yonkers and Freehold prior to returning to New England for the summer. Jason Bartlett, Scarborough’s leading driver will get the call, for trainer Richard Bartlett. 

Snap Dancer starts from post position four and is the only Maine sired entrant in this year’s field. The five-year-old mare has won three top class trots at Scarborough this season, and also won the final of the Bunker Hill Trot at Plainridge. Owned by Bruce Bridgham of New Gloucester and trained by Fred Ward of Brunswick, Snap Dancer will be driven by Greg Bowden. 

The five post position belongs to Classic Andy, who has been both impressive and consistent thus far in 2005. In seven starts Classic Andy has been no worse than second, while racing the best trotters in the state of Maine. He has won feature trotting events at both Bangor and Scarborough, and was second to Star’s Photo is both of those 2:00 miles the past two weeks. Kim Ireland will drive Classic Andy, who is owned by Lew Hayden of Pleasanton, Texas and trained by Wendy Ireland of West Gardiner. 

Slated For Success will start from post six in this year’s Ricci Invitational. A four time winner this year, the mare was beaten just a half length last week by Current Cast, and has four victories to here credit already this season. Slated For Success is owned and trained by Francis Tambolleo of Sterling, Massachusetts, and will be driven by Loyal Pratt. 

Post Time at Scarborough Downs this Saturday will be at 7:00 P.M.