Speed was the order of the day at Skowhegan

Skowhegan, Maine – Speed became the order of the day at the Skowhegan State Fair on Friday (August 19) as the venerable fairground harness racing oval responded to sun baked conditions by creating the perfect opportunity for quickening tempos. During the later portion of the matinee program, two well-heeled standardbreds took full advantage of the developing circumstances to electrify the trackside crowd.

Drinka Beer (We Will See) steamed through an imposing :57 back half to post the fastest mile yet recorded during the weeklong meeting, stopping the clock in a seasonal best 1:55.1 in a $7,000 mid-level classified event.

Driver Andrew Harrington worked out the winning strategy for owner Robert Gibbs and trainer Sara Harrington while securing the 24th career victory for the classy campaigner, cruising to the wire 4-1/2 lengths the best.

Lord Magnetic (Pembroke Biltmore) joined the speed show later in the card as driver Heath Campbell sent the Maine-bred swiftly down the highway in the afternoon’s $7,500 featured event. The Kimberly Vafiades trainee gamely repelled repeated challenges while strategically stacking the competition across the raceway en route to a confident margin of a mere head, timed in 1:55.3.

The win was one of three on the program for driver Heath Campbell.

Live harness racing continues on Saturday afternoon at Skowhegan with post time slated for 1:00 p.m. (EDT). The weeklong meet concludes with the wildly anticipated Saturday performance which features the $15,000 renewal of the Hight Memorial Invitational.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Sweeney, for the Skowhegan State Fair