{{Short description|Horse-racing track in Maine}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox racecourse |name = Kite Track |image = Kite Race Track, Old Orchard Beach, Maine (61009).jpg |caption = Kite Track, Old Orchard Beach, Maine |website = |location = Old Orchard Beach, Maine |coordinates = {{Coord|43|31|39|N|70|22|23|W|type:landmark_region:US-MA|display=inline,title}} |owner = |opened = 1892 (original)<br>1936 (reopening) |closed = 1902 (original)<br>1949 (reopening) |channel = |racetype = Harness racing |coursetype = Kite track |notableraces = }} The '''Kite Track''' was an American harness racing track in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
==Beginnings== In the winter of 1891, New England trotting horse owners, who had desired for many years to race in Maine, began working on establishing a track in the state.<ref name="June1892"/> After being unable to find a suitable location in Portland, Maine, the focus turned to Old Orchard Beach, which believed a horse track would contribute to its success as a resort town.<ref name="June1892"/><ref name="December1891"/> On December 29, 1891, the directors of the Mile Track Association of Maine held a meeting to discuss the proposed track and the vast majority of members opposed it, believing that the season would be too short and being so close to the ocean would be dangerous to the horses' cooling-off process.<ref name="December1891">{{cite news |title=Maine's Kite Track |work=The Boston Globe |date=December 30, 1891}}</ref> As a result of the inability to agree on a location, one faction of horsemen, led by John F. Haines and M. F. Porter began work on the Old Orchard Beach Kite Track while the Mile Track Association worked on a track in Portland.<ref name="June1892">{{cite news |title=Maine's Kite Track |work=The Boston Globe|date=June 6, 1892}}</ref> In 1893, Rigby Park opened in South Portland, Maine.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The New Rigby Park at Portland |journal=Board of Trade Journal |date=November 1893 |volume=VI |issue=7 |page=206 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rBA-AQAAMAAJ |access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref>
The track had only one turn and its stretches converged at a point, forming a kite-like shape. It was one of a few tracks built in this shape, which was faster than a traditional oval.<ref name="Return"/>
The track's opening day was scheduled for July 4, 1892, however it was postponed due to rain.<ref>{{cite news |title=First Circuit Done |work=The Boston Globe|date=July 4, 1892}}</ref> On July 7, the track's first day of racing saw 3,000 patrons turn out to the unfinished grandstand to watch three races.<ref>{{cite news |title=Grew Better |work=The Boston Globe |date=July 8, 1892}}</ref> In 1900, the New England Agricultural Society moved its annual cattle show and fair to the Kite Track, which resulted in the construction of a new exhibition hall, ticket office, barns, business office, stage, and bandstand.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fair to Open at Old Orchard |work=The Boston Globe |date=August 26, 1900}}</ref> In 1903, after several years of poor weather and small entry lists, the track closed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Old Saugus Race Dates |work=The Boston Globe |date=February 16, 1903}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Editorial Notes |work=The Boston Globe |date=July 27, 1903}}</ref>
==Revival== thumb|Kite Track, Old Orchard Beach, Maine In 1935, Maine legalized parimutuel betting. The following summer, racing returned to the Kite Track when the Grand Circuit chose Old Orchard Beach to host its pre-Hambletonian races.<ref>{{cite news |last=Trott |first=Frank |title=Maine Harnessmen Realize Hope of Years in Grand Circuit Meet at Old Orchard This Week |work=The Boston Globe |date=July 26, 1936}}</ref> The track closed with the opening of nearby Scarborough Downs in 1950.<ref name="Return">{{cite news |last=Welch |first=Eddie |title=Scarborough Downs Opens Season July 1 |work=The Boston Globe |date=June 18, 1950}}</ref> The grandstand was eventually torn down and the lights relocated to Scarborough Downs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Where, Oh Where |work=Portland Press Herald |date=April 4, 2002}}</ref> In 1973 the property was purchased by the State of Maine, it is now a game management area.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Blaney |first1=Daniel E. |title=Old Orchard Beach |date=2007 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |page=92 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iqjywrB33XIC |access-date=19 October 2022}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:1892 establishments in Maine Category:1949 disestablishments in Maine Category:Buildings and structures in Old Orchard Beach, Maine Category:Harness racing venues in the United States Category:Defunct horse racing venues in Maine Category:Sports in York County, Maine