Michael Sweeney for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, Maine – Veteran teamster Leigh Fitch, now well into his fifth decade of driving along the state of Maine harness racing circuit, makes no apparent concession to age. The feisty Fox (as he is known to fans and competitors alike) continues to amass milestone wins – today working out his 7400^th lifetime trip down victory lane as he expertly steered Wildfire Woman through the storied Scarborough Downs stretch.

Driver Leigh Fitch guides Wildfire Woman through the gooey going at Scarborough Downs on Saturday to record the 7400th win of his 45 year career. (Photo - Derek Davis)

“The Fox has not lost one once of ability” said longtime local harness observer Don Patchell, “He continues to drive aggressively when circumstances call for it but his trademark patient style remains a textbook example of how to get the most out of a harness horse.”

That patient style paid off handsomely on Saturday as Fitch sat well off the suicide pace set by the front-running Battleshoe Bridge before pouncing from his “foxhole” at the three-quarter-mile marker with 18 lengths still separating him from the leader. As the weary pacesetter’s legs became rubbery, Fitch guided his charge through a determined three-wide rally to overtake the rabbit and post a 4-length margin of victory.

With 7400 career wins now under his belt, Fitch remains the third leading dash winner in state of Maine history – trailing only Walter Case, Jr. (11,027) and Billy Parker, Jr. (9490).

Scarborough Downs proudly features live harness racing every Friday through Sunday with first post slated for 12:30 pm (EST).