Scarborough, Maine (June 20, 2015) – Fast miles have become the order of the day at Scarborough Downs this season so harness racing fans could have been forgiven if they viewed A Sweet Ride's 1:53.2 win in Saturday's (6/20) $6000 feature pace as just another "day at the office" event. At second glance though something special had transpired on a rather chilly late spring day in Maine as the six-year-old son of Dontgetinmyway effortlessly paced to the fourth fastest mile ever recorded in the 65 year history of the Downs.
After being locked in with pace during a fourth place finish last weekend, driver Kevin Switzer, Jr sent his charge with sharp determination to the early lead on Saturday, clipping through zippy panels of 27.1, 56.1 and (the seldom seen) 1:24.2 while holding solid sway over a determined bunch en route to cruising to the 2-1/2 length margin of victory.
The win was the 4th of the season for the Jamie Gerard trainee who was recently purchased by owner Scott McKenzie of Saco, Maine.
BP Diet Food (Dan Deslandes) rode the perfect pocket trip to runner up honors while JJ's Jet (Drew Campbell) parlayed a first over challenge to the third place showing.
A Sweet Ride's sterling effort was just 1/5th of a second off the track standard for older geldings.
Impressively, only existing track record holders have ever paced faster at the Downs included therein the older gelding standard bearer Wholly Louy's 1:53.1 mile in 2012, Shady Sabrina's epic mare record of 1:53.1 taken in 2010, and Hotrod Falcon's immortal overall track record of 1:52.4 taken during the 1993 edition of the Presidents Pace with Walter Case, Jr steering the course.
"And that's on a chilly night! He'll pace 1:52 or better on a warmer day!" Kevin Switzer, Jr could be heard exclaiming as he guided the speedy steed into the Scarborough winner's circle.
If that is indeed the case, the harness fans in Maine are in for the time of their lives this season.
Live racing is proudly featured at Scarborough Downs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (EDT). The Sunday matinee gets underway at 1:30.
For more information, visit www.ScarboroughDowns.com or our Facebook page.
By Michael Sweeney for Scarborough Downs