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If Maine’s harness racing industry is indeed on a major rebound due to the significant infusion of cash from Bangor’s Hollywood Slots casino operation, further evidence of that should come from an upcoming annual horse auction.
The Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association/Pine Tree Sales annual yearling sale and auction will again be held at the Cumberland Fairgrounds racetrack Wednesday, Sept. 6. Organizers of the event are optimistic there will be some new faces among those doing the bidding.
“We hope so. This is a transitional year with it being the first time we’ve seen the added money coming into the industry and we’re hoping to see more owners coming into the industry as a result,” said Carlton Chamberlin, auction/sale manager and owner of Pine Tree Sales.
“We do see some new faces at these things, but we’re hoping to see more,” Chamberlin added. “I also think a lot of people who didn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel in harness racing a few years ago and got out of it will now come back into it.”
The auction is part of a day-long event which begins with a tack (equipment) sale at 9:30 a.m. A complimentary barbecue follows at 11:30 a.m. with the auction starting an hour later.
Chamberlin said as of Friday there were more than 40 horses available in the sale, but that number is expected to go up. MSBOA president Diann Perkins said the sale will feature at least 22 yearlings as well as Maine Sire Stakes weanlings, 2- and 3-year-olds, brood mares (some in foal), and race horses.
“This sale goes back to the ’50s or ’60s at least and it’s a great opportunity for the breeders to show their breeding stock,” said Perkins. “I think for those who have been in the industry, yes, it’s something they look forward to each year. This brings all the parties together.”
The annual sale is a great opportunity for people to get into harness racing since it’s one of the few events bringing breeders, sellers, buyers and all other merchants connected with the industry together.
Anyone interested in getting more details about the auction may contact Chamberlin by calling him at 324-4681 or e-mailing him at pinetreesale@hotmail.com.
Day for Cornish
The Cornish Fairgrounds will host the Cornish Horsemen’s Day on Saturday, Sept. 9.
The annual fundraiser for the historic track and surrounding facility will feature an eight-race schedule starting at noon. The schedule will feature one race of retired racehorses (under saddle) and another quarter-mile race for miniature horses from the Pine Tree Miniature Horses club.
The day’s events are geared toward an annual fundraising effort that began eight years ago. The grounds were bought from private owners in 1995 and racing has been back at the history-rich track ever since.
“The last year they raced there was 1947 before the town bought it,” said Perkins, the fairgrounds committee head. “They’ve been racing there since the late 1800s. It used to be one of the more well-known tracks on the East Coast. Everybody knew about Cornish.”
The grandstand and judges’ stand have already been renovated. Next on the list are the racetrack itself, the paddock and surrounding structures.
“There’s still a lot of work yet to be done as far as resurfacing the track and rebuilding the paddock,” Perkins said.
Perkins said this effort is being undertaken with an eye toward registering the fairgrounds as a historic site.”
Andrew Neff can be reached at 990-8205, 1-800-310-8600 or at aneff@bangordailynews.net
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