Scarborough Downs to honor eight racehorses with 6th annual retirement ceremony Sunday | |||
Michael Sweeney for Scarborough Downs | |||
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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
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