October 2, 2009 - by Bill MacDonald - The invitational field had just crossed the wire at the Cumberland Fairgrounds and the horsemen and women were leaving the racetrack fence in the paddock. For most of them, their day was over, but they stayed to watch the invitational pacers attempt to break the track record. Disappointment covered their faces and statements of displeasure were uttered under their breathe. Track records were suppose to be broken.

One of the few people that was joyous was Joey Mosher, and he was letting everyone know how proud he was. It was his record they were trying to break.

In 1994 NURK was having one of his best years. Owners Steven and Roy Blood had put the horse in the Richard Bartlett Stable. The six year old gelding had amassed 8 wins, 2 seconds and 3 thirds in 20 starts during the year, mostly racing in the winners over and invitational ranks in Maine, his fastest win came at Scarborough Downs in 1:57.0 on July 9.

Joey Mosher was having his best year in the sulky, en route to 125 wins on the year, a career high of earnings and a career high for driving percentage. Mosher had driven NURK a couple of times during the year, including the prior week at Farmington Fair where the combo teamed up for a 1:58.1 victory.

The Saturday afternoon feature race at Cumberland Fair on October 1, 1994 had the betting public choosing JIMS TRUSTY GUY to win the winner's over class from the six hole. When the gate's wings folded, it was BEASLEY AVENUE that had the early speed from the two hole. NURK held the pole position and set second when the field headed down the backstretch the first time. JIMS TRUSTY GUY did not have the pleasure of sitting on the rail as he was hung out and consequently flushed NURK from the garden spot after the quarter pole. NURK took the top position and was challenged by JIMS TRUSTY GUY, but at the half, NURK had the lead by a length in :57.4 and never looked back, going unchallenged the second half and finishing the mile in 1:57.0

The record had held for 15 years, where other records fall at a steady rate. It was the second oldest all-age track record in the state, with the exception being HOT ROD FALCON's track record of 1:52.4 at Scarborough Downs.

Friday afternoon, Kevin Switzer, Jr. guided ESCAPEFROMALCATRAZ to a 1:56.3 mile during the ninth race, erasing the 15 year old all-age track record at Cumberland Fair today. "I was surprised, I didn't think they could go that fast over this track. He is a very good horse and the track was in excellent condition." said a thrilled Switzer.

The five year old gelding is trained at the Cumberland Fairgrounds by Kevin Switzer, Sr. and is owned by Golden Hour Stables and KDK Standardbreds.

How long the new record will stand is anyone's guess. In the new era of slots, trainers and owners are upgrading their stock as quickly as they can to compete for the increased purses. Track records, for the most part, are falling regularly throughout Maine's ovals. The trill of "Track Record Attacks" has diminished over the years. It hard to imagine ESCAPEFROMALCATRAZ's record of 1:56.3 will stand for 15 years.

But just maybe Kevin Switzer, Jr. will be in the paddock at Cumberland a few years from now, walking away from the racetrack fence, with a smile on his face because the next track record attempt failed.