In 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.
[3] The track was one of the fastest in the country and management invested a large sum in purses to attract the top horses, however attendance was not strong.
[5] In 1896 saw increased attendance due to new streetcar lines from Portland to the track and manager Horace Frank Farnham's work to improve spectator experience, which included hiring a band to perform during breaks and providing free admission to women.
[11][12] In January 1899 it was reported that Rigby management had yet to pay the premiums awarded at the New England Fair four months prior.
[14] The 1899 racing meet was particularly disastrous and as a result the track's major financial backers, W. F. Milliken and George Burnham, pulled their support.