Pocono: Sebastian K trots 1:49 world record mile

While records seem to fall every day in harness racing, it is still rare to see an all-age world record. On Saturday night at Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs, Sebastian K smashed the standard for trotting with a 1:49 winning time in the $100,000 Sun Invitational.

Even though Modern Family left from the outside, Sebastian K moved quite a bit faster and easily assumed the front at the opening quarter in 26 2/5. Archangel secured pocket position with Modern Family sitting third.

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The order remained unchanged past the half in 55 3/5 and it seemed as though a world record was out of reach. But driver Ake Svanstedt was able to coax a 26 1/5 third quarter from Sebastian K. At the head of the lane Archangel broke stride and Svanstedt went to work on Sebastian K as the Swedish native clearly wanted the record. He would get it.

The final margin was seven lengths over Modern Family in the 1:49 mile, which bested the former mark of 1:49 3/5 set by Enough Talk on the 1 1/4 mile oval at Colonial Downs.

“He felt very good and I thought if he was going to set a world record it would be today,” said Svanstedt, who also trains the 8-year-old.

Sebastian K, who is owned by Knutsson Trotting, increased his career earnings to $2,473,149 with the win. His next stakes engagement is expected to be the Maple Leaf Trot at Mohawk Racetrack.

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