by Michael Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — The season-long speed show continued on Friday (August 15) at Scarborough Downs as yet another ancient and esteemed state of Maine trotting record fell with defending Trotter of the Year Kerogen once again toppling the standard and rewriting the record books.

Derek Davis photo

Kerogen cruised to a new state of Maine record on Friday. He and driver Kim Ireland toured the Scarborough Downs oval in 1:58.

Kerogen, a 5-year-old son of Lindy Lane, trotted the fastest mile ever by an older stallion in the state of Maine while contesting Scarborough’s $7,500 winners over event on Friday, stopping the timer in 1:58 with regular pilot Kim Ireland calling the shots.

The lightning fast clocking supplants the 57-year-old state of Maine record of 1:58.3 which had been held by Nibble Hanover and driver Harry Whitney ever since the war-torn 1941 meeting at the historic Kite Track at Old Orchard Beach — a record that Kerogen had earned a share of with his own 1:58.3 effort on May 9 of this season at Scarborough Downs.

“State and track records continue to fall this season,” said Scarborough spokeswoman Susan Higgins. “It’s a testament to the confidence that Standardbred owners have placed in our industry as purses continue their upward trend — a trend made possible by the partnership between harness racing and Hollywood Slots in Bangor.”

Kerogen’s accomplishment represents the eighth new track record registered this season at Scarborough Downs. He is owned by Lew Hayden.

Pembroke Prayer (Heath Campbell) finished second after setting the early pace while Softail (Jay Stewart) was third.

Scarborough Downs proudly features live harness racing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. (EDT). The popular Sunday matinees feature a 1:30 p.m. post time.