Tracks offering Maine’s fastest trotters and pacers, elite racing teams, purses, glory, prizes, contests and other special events on "Derby Day."
Bangor Raceway/Scarborough Downs - May 5th is the biggest day in horse
racing in the United States and in most places around the world. Millions of
viewers will tune in to watch the Kentucky Derby, one of the most popular and
recognizable sporting events in the world. Over 165,000 horse racing fans
will flock to Louisville Kentucky and the storied Churchill Downs for this prodigious
event!
“Derby Day” also marks the 2018 opening at
Bangor Raceway, while Scarborough Downs, Maine’s other commercial harness
racing track, has been hosting racing since the end of March. Avid racing fans
celebrating at both tracks will have one eye on the Kentucky Derby and the
other eye on some of the best live harness racing of the year. Excitement will
be in the air as Maine’s fastest trotters and pacers, and their elite racing
teams, compete for purses, glory, and bragging rights. Prizes, contests and
other special events are planned at each track in tribute to the Kentucky
Derby.
About the Kentucky Derby
(From
kentuckyderby.com & churchilldowns.com)
"There are few American sporting events with the
history and popularity of the Kentucky Derby. It’s rich traditions—sipping a
mint julep, donning a beautiful hat, and joining fellow race fans in singing
“My Old Kentucky Home”—transcend the Kentucky Derby from just a sporting event,
making it a celebration of southern culture and a true icon of Americana. The
Kentucky Derby is the longest running sporting event in the United States,
dating back to 1875. The race is often referred to as "The Run for
the Roses®" and has continuously produced “the most exciting two minutes
in sports”; uninterrupted, even when coinciding with profound historical events
like The Great Depression and World Wars I & II.
As with any major event, the Kentucky Derby has
undergone various changes in its long history. From shortening the distance of
the race, the introduction of traditions like draping the winning horse in a
garland of roses, to the growing size of Derby crowds, the Kentucky Derby has
embraced the change of time, while honoring the integrity of the spectacle race
set forth by Meriwether Lewis Clark.
Known as
the home of the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, Churchill Downs Racetrack
conducts Thoroughbred horse racing in Louisville, Kentucky during three race
meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. The racetrack occupies 147 acres,
featuring a one-mile dirt, oval racetrack and a seven-furlong turf race course.
Thoroughbred racing, the Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Oaks have run
continuously at Churchill Downs Racetrack since 1875. In addition, Churchill
Downs Racetrack has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championship eight times."
For press
inquiries, passes, high-rez images:
Contact: Henry Jennings, Henry.Jennings@maine.gov
The Maine
Harness Racing Commission’s mission is to provide oversight
and support of the Maine’s harness racing industry with a goal of promoting
fairness and integrity of the sport.
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