Skowhegan, ME — The 204th edition of the Skowhegan State Fair opened its weeklong exhibition on Sunday (Aug. 14). Tabbed as the oldest continuously held state fair in the United States, its stalls and halls were teaming with livestock and agricultural displays, but as the infield parking lots filled to capacity under outrageously blue skies, it was the sport of harness racing that took center stage at the iconic mid-Maine oval.

While Maine Sire Stakes and other top-class action were dominated by the usual cast of characters, it was the work-a-day roster of Zackary Gray which came to the forefront during Sunday’s first session of the Skowhegan meet as the young conditioner sent a pair of veteran Maine-bred pacers swiftly down Victory Lane.

First to the winner’s circle came Racing For Rick, a 9-year-old daughter of Western Maverick, who capitalized on a picture-perfect pocket trip scenario before scurrying to the 30th win of her career. With driver Matthew Athearn holding the lines, the mile, timed in 1:58.3, tied as the fastest split of the afternoon at Skowhegan.

Pembroke Hat Trick was a 1:58.4 winner. Shelley Gilpatrick photo.

Gray’s most dramatic win came later in the card with Pembroke Hat Trick (Western Maverick) as driver Kevin Switzer Jr. utilized every inch of racetrack available while zooming from last to first in the span of the final quarter to secure the 1:58.4 score. The win was the eighth lifetime for the 5-year-old state-bred.

In other Skowhegan news, trainers Valerie Grondin and Gretchen Athearn also posted training doubles on the card while Mark Athearn and Aaron Hall both doubled their pleasures on the drivers’ side of the leaderboard.

Live harness racing resumes on Monday afternoon at Skowhegan with post time slated for 1 p.m.