OXFORD – Whoa Seabiscuit!

The Oxford County Fair received its final state approval last week to hold racing during the Sept. 10-13 fair.

Fair Vice President and Racing Director Phil Jackson said in 30 days horse racing will be back in Oxford County after a 39-year hiatus.

It is the first racetrack built in Maine since 1942.

Jackson said officials from the Maine Harness Racing Association had a checklist of necessary items before issuing approval.

They made sure the enclosed paddock area to serve 100 horses was complete and all the fences were around the track. The parimutuel betting area has 30 betting windows and all offices necessary to run the organization were complete.

The track itself, a half-mile oval featuring 12 percent banked turns, is ready.

“Then the offices for state officials had to be finished,” Jackson said. “We’ll have about a dozen for every race as required at every fair. The judges stands are all completed.

“They loved the track and are pleased,” he said. “They recognized it was quite an investment, considering the way racing is going these days. They acknowledged the courage we have to go forward.”

Jackson said come race day there will be bleachers for the fans and a tent in the physically challenged area. There are no grandstands, yet.

“Grandstands are very expensive, about $650,000,” Jackson said. “Maybe we’ll be able to get them three or four years out.”

He said the fair group is still doing fund raising and were taking entries in the One-Foot Club. Donations to the One-Foot Club help defer the cost of the track. Those making donations at a certain level can have their names inscribed on a plaque which will hang at the track and eventually in the grandstand area.

That is, when the grandstand area is completed.

jsmedley@sunjournal.com