The Wild Card trumps in $15,000 Hight Memorial

Skowhegan, Maine  – The harness racing fans always come out when the big horses come to town and the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds were peppered with both on Saturday (August 19) as the $15,000 Walter Hight Memorial took center stage on a picture perfect late-summer afternoon at the venerable central-Maine harness venue.

Hometown favorite, The Wild Card (Bettor’s Delight) and driver Bruce Ranger was sent to the gate as the 2-5 bettor’s choice, but it was El Jacko N (Kevin Switzer, Jr) who got the first call off the car. Pouncing to the lead Switzer and his charge led the field in a merry game of catch-me-if-you-can, strolling to the half in a moderate :57.2, while the accomplished field devised strategy in pursuit.

Rocksapatriot (David Ingraham), who got away fourth from the second tier, was first to engage, pulling to lead the overland charge as the field rounded the 3/8th’s bend. Ranger was quick to grab the covered trip as The Wild Card’s nose nudged Ingraham’s helmet while the outer flow inched closer and closer to the pacesetting El Jacko N.

Remaining firmly in command as the field rounded the final turn, El Jacko N and Switzer girded for the final assault as Nineteenth Man A (Ron Cushing), who had ridden the pocket throughout the mile, pounced off the pylons to engage. Simultaneously, The Wild Card roared three deep around  Rocksapatriot, slingshotting off the bend to begin his epic stretch run.

The thrilling trio matched strides at the head of the lane, fanning three-wide through the historic Skowhegan stretch, as Switzer, Cushing and Ranger called upon all their skills and guile in a determined quest to reach the wire first.

But it was Ranger and the Wild Card who ultimately claimed winner’s circle glory, kicking home through a fleet :28 final panel to seal the deal by a scant 3/4-length margin, timed in 1:54.2.

Nineteenth Man A battled gamely to claim the runner-up placing while El Jacko N held 1-1/4 lengths back for the show.

The Wild Card is trained by Joseph Nelson for owner Scott Dillon. He returned a $2.80 win ticket while securing his second win in-a-row, following a seasonal best 1:50.4 score at Plainridge Park last Monday.

In other Skowhegan news, drivers Heath Campbell, Kevin Switzer, Jr, Walter Case, Jr, Bruce Ranger, and Wallace Watson all scored driving doubles on the closing day card, while trainers Marc Tardif and Valerie Grondin each sent two winners to the post.

Kevin Switzer, Jr was crowned the Skowhegan driving champion for the 2023 meeting off a strong ten-win performance over the course of the six-day meet. Valerie Grondin nabbed leading conditioner honors with ten wins of her own.

The state-of-Maine circuit will take a weeklong breather before convening at the Windsor Fairgrounds beginning on Sunday August 27th. Windsor will conduct eight days of harness racing, culminating in their traditional Labor Day extravaganza.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Mike Sweeney, for the Skowhegan State Fair