Skowhegan, ME — The excitement along Maine’s fabled fairground circuit reached a crescendo point on Saturday (Aug. 22) as the “big horses” came to the historic mid-Maine racing venue for the always anticipated renewal of the $12,000 Walter Hight Memorial Invitational.
Speed was on the minds of the assembled faithful as the accomplished six-horse Hight field paraded in front of the stands, anticipation building with echos of a lightning-fast 1:54 score by Vel Trust In Time (McGwire Sowers) still freshly resounding from just two races prior.
The general consensus was that the track was quickening and the conditions were ripe for a memorable mile in the Hight.
As the Hight field swung confidently toward the start, a trio of contenders left alertly from the gate with Vel Letsroll South (McGwire Sowers), Arts Flight (Andy Harrington), and Vanderbilt N (Ron Cushing) all testing the early tempo. Arts Flight was the first to be reined back as Vel Letsroll South made the early lead, but it was Vanderbilt N who exploded willingly toward the point, taking over the lead well before the quarter while marching to a brisk opening panel timed in :27.4.
With the field properly in line, Cushing imperceptibly deadened the pace, seeking the breather that is often necessary in epoch miles, as Bruce Ranger tipped Two Fold Cold off the pylons at the three-eighths pole, beginning their dogged pursuit of the early leader, as Vanderbilt N hit the half, timed in a quite reasonable :57.3.
Gaining Vanderbilt N’s flank as they entered the third turn, Two Fold Cold arrived on equal terms with his rival at the five-eighths marker, and then exhibited his own flank to his rival as Ranger hustled his charge first to the three-quarter pole, timed in an astounding 1:25.1.
Extending the lead throughout the final bend, Two Fold Cold forged through an incredible :55.3 back-half, extended out to an imposing 2-3/4-length margin at the wire while tripping the tele-timer in a praise-worthy 1:53.1.
Vel Lets Roll South rallied for second while Vanderbilt N settled for the show.
Two Fold Cold, owned and trained by Marc Tardif, is a 5-year-old, Maine-bred son of Deuce Seelster who has been competing on a regular basis at Plainridge Racecourse over the past two seasons. Just as he did in 2025, Tardif once again has shipped his stable star on a much appreciated trip back to his native-state to compete in Maine’s fall fairground invitationals.
His win on Saturday marked the second year in a row that Two Fold Cold has claimed victory in the Hight Memorial.
Harness racing will take a one week hiatus along the state-of-Maine circuit as tack trunks and stables relocate to the Windsor Fair. Racing at Windsor commences on Saturday (Aug. 29) with post time slated for 1:00 p.m. (EDT) and will continue daily (with the exception of Sept. 2) through Labor Day.
For the complete harness racing schedule at Windsor, please visit www.windsorfair.com/events/harness-racing/.
Replays of the Skowhegan live video feed and next weekend’s live action at Windsor Fair can be enjoyed online at www.youtube.com/@Mainefairharnessracing while wagering for the races at Windsor will available online on the Hollywood Races site at www.hollywoodraces.com.