| CHEVIOT |
6, G, TRUE DUANE - FIREFOOT - ENSIGN HANOVER |
Robert G. & Pauline J. Webb, Gardiner, ME |
| TAURUS ROMEO |
7, G, ROMEO HANOVER - CHEETAH LOBELL - OVERTRICK |
Thomas Fay, Jr., Windham, NH |
| T.B.J. |
6,H, ELECTION DAY - LUCKY GEM - LUCKY EDEN |
Virginia & Thomas B. Johnson, Sr., Auburn, ME |
| September 2nd, 1979 was the date as the very first President's Pace field
moved behind the starting gate at the Downs. A dream became reality as J.M. Glow, Taurus Romeo,
Cheviot, Baron Pedro, New Dimension and T.B.J. raced into the first turn after a perfect start.
The first test was conducted on a Saturday night, with over 6,000 fans wagering a record $197,254
on the 12-race program. |
| The race developed into a two-horse battle between the local favorite Maine
owned Cheviot, and the Meadowland invader Taurus Romeo. "Romeo", who had just become the first
in history "over $100,000-priced" claimer, enjoyed the best of the early going with Billy Faucher
in the sulky with the eventual winner Cheviot sitting fourth behind J.M. Glow as the field
left the five-eighths mile marker. |
| Midway up the backside J.M. Glow made a nasty break, with Cheviot and driver
Billy O'Donnell barely avoiding a spill. Once past the jam-up it was all Cheviot, flying along
the outside, and drawing clear for a new track record of 2:00.1. In the winners circle shortly
after the race the world-class driver Billy O'Donnell apologized for missing the coveted first-in-Maine
sub-2:00 minute mile, but on this September evening, it was not to be. |
| And yet the stage had been set, records had fallen on the raceway and at
the busier-than-ever mutuel windows. A "Maine Tradition" has been established, and the very
first winner was a State of Maine-owned pacer, the great Cheviot. |
| - From Scarborough Downs |
