The final "ayuh" at Scarborough Downs (11/28/2020)

Video from November 28, 2020, the final day of racing at Scarborough Downs in Scarborough, Maine. The track hosted 70 years of thoroughbred and harness racing. The pacer Goin Manstyle and driver Wallace Watson prevailed in the final race.

[@jimlogan9883]

Just have to comment: Now age 80, I've visited Scarborough Downs countless times since making my first bets there in the early '60s. When it opened in 1950, Scarborough Downs was a thoroughbred track; and it drew substantial crowds in its early days. In summer the Canadian vacationers attended in droves, and parking lots across from the track were often filled to capacity. The thoroughbreds were bottom level claimers for the most part; but there were several exceptional runners that I recall to this day. I especially admired and wagered heavily (for me) on one runner whenever he ran, and that was ADMIRAL LUNDSFORD. This gelding had raced in Cuba, of all places; but when Castro took over the island and closed down gambling operations, this gelding (which raced under another name!) came to the U.S. re-named ADMIRAL LUNDSFORD, finally making its home at Scarborough Downs - - which was our good fortune. ADMIRAL LUNDSFORD simply found his stride at tiny Scarborough Downs and showed his stuff not for a single race or year but for several years. This runner could go short or long, on off tracks or fast, against horses with sterling reputations or those hitting a winning streak. But he kept us interested and made Scarborough Downs a go-to place, so much that even when the track switched to standardbred racing it was still one of my favorite places to go - - yet nothing could compare with the exploits of ADMIRAL LUNDSFORD. I certainly appreciate this final trip down Scarborough Downs memory lane. The crying jag I got annoyed at about halfway through apparently means this video touched a soft spot in my heart. Now, let's get Sports Betting approved in Maine!

[@pacer1956]

Great video. And how appropriate that Scarborough Downs greatest announcer Lloyd Johnson made the race call.

[@jackortizano8181]

Foxboro, Hinsdale, Green Mountain, so many entertaining New England tracks gone. 'Gansett, Lincoln, the fairs, all gone for flat racing too. So sad. Several of my favorite ovals have closed, including Brandywin, Liberty Bell, Roosevelt, Freestate, Louisville, Sportsman's ... A pity.

[@mainemaniacs752]

Great job capturing the entire day. Thank you for posting.

[@charlesspencer7673]

Wow, I was there on vacation in the early 80s and by chance got to witness ‘the great’ My Bill Forwood jog to an easy victory. By the looks of it, those were the glory days for Scarborough Downs...

[@horseP413]

Nice video Jon! Are you using the same camera from the Belmont? I haven't shot video in so long. Makes me want to again! They trot fast!

[@airforbes1]

I usually used a company camera at Belmont. This is a personal camera that I have been taking to the races in Maine the past few years. This is the third time I watched a track's final race as Scarborough Downs follows Bay Meadows and Hollywood Park. I regret my decision to not make the drive to Suffolk Downs for their final day in 2019.

[@alborrelli1604]

I thought Bruce Ranger was driving in South Fla. What happene6.Also they should have had Walter Case, and Billy Parker drive the final day. The good old days. Sorry the had to close. Best of luck to all the horseman, thanks for the great memories.

[@bearcookie13]

It makes me sad to see our tracks slowly closing across North America , but this place looks like it had just been allowed to go to pot..😞

[@toyota420xp]

This makes me sad

[@horseP413]

No fans at GGF:(

[@joemom1012]

wow when i was a kid my family raced horses and owned / trained here we lived in the horse stables/ tackle rooms on back of track when track was closed id play every where including every where in this building brings back memmorys from late 70s thru 80s and yes some races are fixed or were but not all and last few races all them horses were for sale and you always knew when a canadian came in and only stayed one night only all the way from canada he was winning and moving on fixed race put your mony on him my mom owned 10 horses 2 Thoroughbred and 2 horses that would win often