Scarborough Downs is an American horse racing track located in Scarborough, Maine. Scarborough Downs is Maine's largest race track. It is home to a restaurant as well as a grandstand for race viewing.[1]
Scarborough Downs was constructed in 1950 as a racetrack for Thoroughbred horse races.[2] It was the only one of its kind in the state.[3] However, harness racing was introduced in the 1960s and in September 1972 the track no longer hosted Thoroughbred racing.[4] In the 2000s, the track began to offer simulcast races from premier thoroughbred tracks along with those of harness racing.
On October 1, 1980, a pre-dawn fire at Scarborough Downs, ignited as the result of an overloaded electrical box in a tack room, destroyed a 240-foot barn, killing eleven horses. [5] On November 2, 2010 residents in Biddeford voted 59% (4,636 votes) to 41% (3,244 votes) to support the Relocation of Scarborough Downs and a new Racino complex on Andrews Road near Route 111 off the Maine Turnpike. The new complex with the help of Ocean Properties could be called Pepperell Downs Horse Track and Casino, the Scarborough Downs group led by owner Sharron Terry created a PAC called Pepperell Downs LLC. The complex would include a Hotel, an Entertainment Complex, Harness Track and Slot Machines. With the Approval of the Oxford County, Maine Casino by Maine Voters on November 2, 2010 there are indications now that the complex could also add Table Games as well once opened, as would Hollywood Slots Racino in Bangor. The plan is to open it in 2012.