In case you missed the race or the accompanying post-race hype, undefeated Deweycheatumnhowe did indeed win the 83rd running of the Hambletonian at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., on Aug. 2, but a Maine-owned horse also distinguished itself in the $1.5 million race.

Velocity Hall, a trotter co-owned by Tom Dillon of Anson and Walter Hight of Skowhegan, finished sixth after running as high as second (at the three-quarters mark).

“He put a good effort in. It was a rough race, especially with him parked on the outside where he was,” said Dillon. “I don’t think he could have done much more than he did.”

The 3-year-old bay colt tired as the mile-long race entered the final stretch and he faded in the final quarter but finished with a solid time of 1 minute, 53.3 seconds to Deweycheatumnhowe’s 1:52.0.

“They will tire down the stretch when they’re parked out that far,” Dillon said. “I could tell from the first turn that’s what was going to happen.”

Having a horse race in the Hambletonian was a first for both Dillon and Hight, although Hight’s grandfather owned a horse that raced in it. Dillon said it was a highlight in his 30-year involvement in harness racing.

“That’s the biggest show for harness racing,” he said. “It’s the largest purse and most prestigious race, so yeah, I guess I’d have to say it was the most exciting experience I’ve had.”

Dillon said Velocity Hall’s next race will be next week in Chester, Pa. He’ll be running in the $500,000 Colonial at Harrah’s Chester track.

Trotter ties time

A horse named Dink Adoo tied the fastest trot time on a half-mile track in Maine with a time of 1:57.3 on Aug. 3 at Scarborough Downs during a Joe Ricci Memorial Trot Series race.

The horse, driven by Robert Sumner and trained by Patty Sumner, tied the all-ages track record at Scarborough Downs and is only outdone by Greyhound’s 1:57.0 finish at Old Orchard’s Kite Track in 1939.

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