Track records fall in Topsham Fair finale

Topsham, Maine … Track conditions which bordered on excellent throughout the meet, combined with what many have described as the finest card of harness racing ever to be programmed at the Topsham Fair, conspired to deliver both enthusiastically appreciated action and blazing new track records at the Topsham Fair’s closing session on Saturday (August 15).

Track records fell from the word “Go” as driver Kevin Switzer, Jr guided The Gucci Man (Dude`s The Man) on a gate to wire journey, stopping the clock in 2:00.3 to become the fastest two-year-old colt to circumnavigate the historic fairground oval, besting the previous standard of 2:01.2 established by the Jason Bartlett piloted, That’s It That’s All, back  in 2002.

Shortly thereafter, Vel Straight Out etched her name in the Topsham Fair record books, mounting a devastatingly effective frontal assault with McGwire Sowers providing winning the strategy. Gliding to the half in a more than respectable :58.3, Sowers then let his more roll through a competition discouraging :57.3 back-half, ultimately resulting in a decisive 12-length romp timed in 1:56.1

The win equaled the standard set and held by an immortal among the Maine distaff set, Sassy Sarah, who was piloted to the record in 2011 by a young Kevin Switzer, Jr. 

Topsham’s overall trotting record also fell on Saturday as Kevin Switzer, Jr set sail with Big Al M, mounting a rousing get-to-wire victory march, punctuated by a nifty :28.4 final panel, and finishing nine-lengths the best timed in 1:58.

This win eclipsed the 1:58.3 standard that was established in 2012 by one of the most accomplished trotters to ever race in Maine, the millionaire trotter, Pembroke Prayer and driver Heath Campbell.

In other Topsham news, the fastest mile of the meet was recorded in the $12,000 Topsham Fair Open when Alex Having Fun (Aaron Hall) held off a determined finish line surge from Two Fold Cold (Kevin Switzer, Jr) while scoring a half-length victory timed in a sizzling 1:54.3.

The win was one of two on the program for trainer Kimberly Vafiades and driver Hall who earlier in the day sent out Instant Replay to another tight victory, mounting a determined first-over grind to nab Vel Letsroll South by a neck, timed in 1:56.4. 

Kevin Switzer, Jr claimed the Topsham drivers championship for the second consecutive year by virtue of his 12 wins over the course of the five-day meeting, while the top trainer’s title was shared by Autym Sowers and Marc Tardif whose rosters each earned four wins during the week. 

With the conclusion of the Topsham meet, Maine’s fairground circuit now repositions itself at the Skowhegan State Fair. Racing begins at Skowhegan on Sunday (August 16) with post time set for 1:00 pm (EDT) and will continue on a daily basis until Saturday (August 22).  

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Mike Sweeney for Topsham Fair