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Skowhegan, Maine …. The prospects seemed brilliant for Ronaldo N (Alta Christiano).
The veteran harness racing campaigner was set to make his first start for new trainer, Ryan Berry, under the bright lights of the Skowhegan State Fair on Tuesday (August 12), and the notoriously headstrong pacer, appearing fresh off a well-meant win, was made the even money post time favorite, and had been behaving himself quite handsomely during the pre-race score-downs.
As the crowd settled in and the starting gate rolled out just beyond the fair start pole, fate, as it is sometimes apt to do, decided to play an apparent cruel hand. Ronaldo N, fighting the firm bit set by driver Kevin Switzer, Jr, chucked his head, abandoned his stride, and quickly lost ground to the fast accelerating field.
Spotting the competition a ten length advantage after regaining his head, Ronaldo N took chase from what appearance a rather hopeless situation, racing from the trailing position as the field sped through the inaugural half in an evenly rated 1:00.1.
The tempo picked up as the combatants entered the third turn, while simultaneously, Ronaldo N’s backers felt encouragement renewed as their darling tipped three deep from the back of the pack.
Racing three deep from 5/8ths home, Ronaldo N bravely gained ground in the teeth of a stern :58 back-half, turning disaster into delight as he overcame adversity, tripping the wire by a neck, in a seasonal best clocking of 1:58.1.
Owned by Amy Weeks, the nine-year-old son of Alta Christiano won for the 25th time in his career while returning $4 to win.
The win was one of two on the program for trainer Ryan Berry and one of three on the card for driver Kevin Switzer, Jr.
In other Skowhegan news, Saratoga Raceway driver, Chris Long, made a triumphant return to his native state-of-Maine on Tuesday, teaming two winners down victory lane in daunting gate-to-wire fashion. In an odd coincidence, both of Long’s winners, Miki De Vie (1:58-$3.40) and Benny Is A Jet (1:57-$10.80) where claimed from their events for $6000 and $3450 respectively.
Racing action at Skowhegan will head under the lights on Wednesday and Thursday evenings with post time slated for 7:00 pm. The fair will then close out its seven day meeting with 1:00 pm afternoon sessions scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
For those not able to come to the track, wagering on the Skowhegan Fair will be available on most major wagering platforms including Hollywood Races at www.hollywoodraces.com as well as at all state of Maine off track betting parlors.
The video for Skowhegan’s races will be live-streamed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results
by Mike Sweeney for Skowhegan State Fair
