Guest column

Michael M. Sweeney – for Scarborough Downs

The first Late Closing Event of the season was launched at Scarborough Downs and this one honored the memory of local horseman Eugene D’Alessandro.

“Geno,” as he was known to his friends, was an active owner, trainer, and driver at Scarborough Downs and was known throughout New England and New York racing circles as an iconoclastic character.

Always ready with an outlandish racetrack tale, Geno could cajole an audience with his often vivid recollections of events long past. He was particularly fond of recounting the glory days of Green Mountain Park – and any story about the legendary times at the Vermont oval would not be complete without a mention of Geno.

Fisher King was a popular winner in the first division of “The Geno” last week as driver Drew Campbell engineered a masterful second over journey for the well-backed pacer. Campbell sat patient in the outer-flow before swooping three-wide around the final turn to overcome his rivals with a thrilling stretch duel -stopping the tele-timer in a zippy 1:57 and 4/5th.

It was the fifth consecutive win for the recently claimed pacer who now races under the colors of William Mc Elvain of Levant.

Guns Galore fired a warning shot to the competition as the second division of “Geno” hopefuls crossed the finish line. Under rein to Jason Bartlett, the Plainridge invader came charging with a flourish from far back to nip the field at 7-1 odds, earning his third trip to the winner’s circle this season.

Bartlett was a repeat winner in the third division – this time behind the Lisa Saindon-conditioned pacer, GoldStar Traveler. Now boasting three wins in only four seasonal outings, the son of Haralba played “catch-me-if-you-can” for owner Jerry Kidder of Dixfield.

The Eugene D’Alessandro Pacing Series continues Monday, May 21, with the second round of elimination races. The series will culminate with a $10,000 final on the big Memorial Day card planned for Monday, May 28.

Downs Doings

Work Out was the victor of Monday’s Open class event. Heath Campbell went pillar-to-post to claim the lion’s share of the $6000 purse for owner John Baker.

Mac N Ernie won his third straight race since joining the Dana Ward Childs stable.

Purple and orange were the colors of the day as the Irving and Cheryl Mauran stable made a triumphant return to the Downs – Off Keel getting the day off to a perfect start with a 1:58 and 3/5th

triumph.

Skitsofrantic made up for his costly break last week by toying with

the back-up-class today. Timed in 1:57 and 2/5th, he was an in hand winner for trainer Andrew Bailey – a recent import from Saratoga Raceway.

Jason Bartlett continued on his torrid pace, steering three winners on the 10-race program. Bartlett has now worked out 33 winning journeys on the season – nine more than Drew Campbell, his nearest rival.

Scarborough Downs proudly features live harness action every Monday, Tuesday and Saturday afternoon with first post scheduled for 3:45 p.m. The popular Sunday matinees get underway at 12:05 p.m.

A special Preakness performance has been scheduled for Saturday, May 19, with first post slated for 12:05 p.m.

Guest column

Michael M. Sweeney – for Scarborough Downs

The first Late Closing Event of the season was launched at Scarborough Downs and this one honored the memory of local horseman Eugene D’Alessandro.

“Geno,” as he was known to his friends, was an active owner, trainer, and driver at Scarborough Downs and was known throughout New England and New York racing circles as an iconoclastic character.

Always ready with an outlandish racetrack tale, Geno could cajole an audience with his often vivid recollections of events long past. He was particularly fond of recounting the glory days of Green Mountain Park – and any story about the legendary times at the Vermont oval would not be complete without a mention of Geno.

Fisher King was a popular winner in the first division of “The Geno” last week as driver Drew Campbell engineered a masterful second over journey for the well-backed pacer. Campbell sat patient in the outer-flow before swooping three-wide around the final turn to overcome his rivals with a thrilling stretch duel -stopping the tele-timer in a zippy 1:57 and 4/5th.

It was the fifth consecutive win for the recently claimed pacer who now races under the colors of William Mc Elvain of Levant.

Guns Galore fired a warning shot to the competition as the second division of “Geno” hopefuls crossed the finish line. Under rein to Jason Bartlett, the Plainridge invader came charging with a flourish from far back to nip the field at 7-1 odds, earning his third trip to the winner’s circle this season.

Bartlett was a repeat winner in the third division – this time behind the Lisa Saindon-conditioned pacer, GoldStar Traveler. Now boasting three wins in only four seasonal outings, the son of Haralba played “catch-me-if-you-can” for owner Jerry Kidder of Dixfield.

The Eugene D’Alessandro Pacing Series continues Monday, May 21, with the second round of elimination races. The series will culminate with a $10,000 final on the big Memorial Day card planned for Monday, May 28.

Downs Doings

Work Out was the victor of Monday’s Open class event. Heath Campbell went pillar-to-post to claim the lion’s share of the $6000 purse for owner John Baker.

Mac N Ernie won his third straight race since joining the Dana Ward Childs stable.

Purple and orange were the colors of the day as the Irving and Cheryl Mauran stable made a triumphant return to the Downs – Off Keel getting the day off to a perfect start with a 1:58 and 3/5th

triumph.

Skitsofrantic made up for his costly break last week by toying with

the back-up-class today. Timed in 1:57 and 2/5th, he was an in hand winner for trainer Andrew Bailey – a recent import from Saratoga Raceway.

Jason Bartlett continued on his torrid pace, steering three winners on the 10-race program. Bartlett has now worked out 33 winning journeys on the season – nine more than Drew Campbell, his nearest rival.

Scarborough Downs proudly features live harness action every Monday, Tuesday and Saturday afternoon with first post scheduled for 3:45 p.m. The popular Sunday matinees get underway at 12:05 p.m.

A special Preakness performance has been scheduled for Saturday, May 19, with first post slated for 12:05 p.m.