The harness racing community came together on Monday to honour the memory of departed friends on Memorial Day, including Krystle Campbell, a victim of the Boston Marathon bombings, in a memorial race dedicated by her best friend, State-of Maine native, Karen Rand.
Campbell of Medford, Mass., was one of the victims of the Patriots Day bombing at last month's Boston Marathon. Scarborough Downs memorialized Campbell, as well as Jane Lavigne, who was an employee of the track who sadly passed away in February, and longtime horseman, Clay Faurot, Sr. in winner’s circle ceremonies on Monday, May 27.
A blanket was be presented to the connections of Victory Tax, winner of Monday's Free For All Trot by Campbell's best friend Karen Rand. Rand was injured in the bombing as she and Campbell gathered at the marathon finish line to cheer on Rand's boyfriend, who was running in the race. Rand, a state of Maine native, will be making her first trip back to the Pine Tree State since being released from the hospital.
The story was first covered by WCSH TV in Portland, Maine and subsequently picked up by USA Today. As the feature explains, Rand's son Stephen is a big fan of harness racing and Scarborough Downs' Mike Sweeney felt Monday's card - a rarity for the Maine track - was a fitting way to pay tribute.
Scarborough Downs, in co-ordination with the harness racing industry in Maine, raised nearly $3,000 to benefit the One Fund Boston charity during the month of May, including fund raiser held during Kentucky Derby earlier this month.