71 years ago, the famed trotter Greyhound competed in a time trial at the Kite Track at Old Orchard Beach and went the mile in 1:57 ½ . The mark has stood the test of time until a hazy, humid night at the Northern Maine Fair in Presque Isle as Pembroke Spice, a six year old mare owned by Bill Varney of Bangor, eclipsed the mark by trotting in 1:57.2 over the Aroostook County oval.

It was the fifth win in a row for the Valerie Grondin trainee, last week she beat up on the Free For All-ers at Scarborough Downs. Driver Heath Campbell knew she had a shot at the track record “I knew the record would probably be broke (in that race) as the race before had gone in two minutes.” But the state record was not on his mind “No, I didn’t think she’d go that fast.”

A big factor in the record setting mile was the track condition. “The track is better that it’s ever been.” Said Campbell.

The mile also erased the pride of three other horses that claimed rights to the state mark. Friendly Face, Dink Adoo and Kerogen have all trotted in 1:57.3 over half mile ovals in the state. Friendly Face won the Legislator Trot at Scarborough Downs in 1988, Dink Adoo won a leg of the Joe Ricci Trot at Scarborough in 2008 and Kerogen did the feat at Bangor Raceway in 2009.