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Scarborough Downs celebrates 60th Opening Day
Michael Sweeney for Scarborough Downs
Scarborough ME, April 3, 2010
Show-Time-Sam began his season on a winning note Saturday afternoon by grabbing top honors in the first race of the year as Scarborough Downs launched into its 60th horse racing campaign.

Driver Rob Dinning engineered the winning strategy teaming for top-trainer Randy Bickmore, tracking the front-end speed of post time favorite Warrior Jake (Shawn Gray) before pouncing past the pace-setter in the final strides. The mile, timed in 2:00.3 represented one of two wins on the program for the Dinning/Bickmore tandem.

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Michael Newman Photo
Driver Rob Dinning coaxes Show-Time-Sam towards the finish line on Saturday - The duo securing the first win of the 2010 season at Scarborough Downs
Shawn Gray held the hot hand during the premier session, scoring a hat-trick performance with wins behind Motu Elite Hanover (2:02.1), Freedom’s Call (1:59) and Vasvixen N (2:01.5) to secure his spot atop the leaders board at first posting.

Casino King recorded the speediest mile of the day (1:58.2) as driver/trainer Shawn Thayer brought his pacer home to Maine fresh off back-to-back runner-up efforts at The Meadowlands. The son of Cam’s Card Shark swooped by a tightly bunched grouping of Open-level pacers to post the feature race victory, defeating Mr. Nice Guy (Scarborough’s 2009 Pacer of the Year) and Gracie Gracie (Maine’s 2009 Distaff Pacer of the Year) in the process.

Casino King is owned by Danny King of Orrington, Maine.

“The stands were packed with eager fans who thronged to the windows throughout the program” said Downs’ spokesperson Susan Higgins

“The handle far outpaced last season’s opening day take and enthusiasm remains high for a successful meet. Scarborough’s 60th season has certainly begun on a high-note.”

Live harness racing continues Sunday afternoon at 1:30 pm (EDT) with a 14-dash program planned. Scarborough Downs will be the only American harness track in action during Easter Sunday.

Scarborough Downs proudly features live harness racing on Saturday evening at 4:00 pm (EDT). The popular Sunday matinees feature a 1:30 pm post time.