Skowhegan, ME — Pembroke Scorpio won for the seventh time over the Skowhegan State Fair half-mile oval with a 1:59 win on Friday (Aug. 16). It’s a pretty remarkable feat considering he’s only raced over that track 11 times during his career. And with one of those early efforts at Skowhegan resulting in a shortly-held divisional track record of 1:53.1, it seems like the now 13-year-old has saved some of his best efforts for this particular stop on the Maine fair circuit.
The son of Camluck-Stylish Smile has made the majority of his 252 career starts in Maine and amassed 51 of his 52 lifetime wins while under the care of Valerie Grondin and his current trainer, Patty Sumner.
“Valerie loved this horse, and I do, too,” remarked Sumner following Friday’s win. “When we ended up with him, Valerie told me we were the only outfit she would consider for his new racing home. If we didn’t take him, she would have retired him because she wanted to make sure he ended up in the right situation. When a trainer really cares for a horse, you make decisions like that.”
“Drew (Campbell) is one of only two drivers I prefer to sit behind this horse,” Sumner continued. “When he picked up the lines before the race today, he asked me how the old boy was. I told him, ‘He’s his cranky old self, so that means he’s good. Don’t mess this up.;”
Campbell certainly took those instructions to heart, sending Pembroke Scorpio smartly from the gate, maintaining at least a one-length lead throughout the race, and throwing in a powerful :58 back half before romping by 5-3/4 lengths at the wire.
He paid $19.80.
The Skowhegan State Fair meet will conclude on Saturday (Aug. 16) with a 1 p.m. post time. Saturday’s card will feature the annual renewal of the $15,000 Walter Hight Memorial Invitational Pace. Skowhegan’s simulcast will be available for viewing and wagering on most national ADWs and brick-and-mortar locations through an agreement with Great Pine Racing.