Race Rewind: Niatross Breaks 1:50

Published: October 1, 2015 08:55 am EDT

On October 1, 1980, the harness racing world focused on The Red Mile where pacing phenom Niatross would attempt to become the fastest pacer of all-time.

While some wonder whether he’ll be able to beat his world mark of 1:52.4, or Steady Star’s time trial record of 1:52, others ponder the unthinkable –- a 1:50 mile.

After posting fractions of :27.3, :54.3 and 1:21.4 for the first three-quarters of the mile, the crowd roars.

"When the timer flashed 1:21.4 for the three-quarter time, the crowd roared so loudly that I didn’t hear the rest of Carl Becker’s call," wrote Dean Hoffman in an article for Trot. "All I heard was the crowd. Even when I listened to the tape later, all I could hear is cheering and shouts of encouragement. And I was cheering as loud as anyone."

"When the timer flashed 1:49.1, the noise level reached new decibels," continued Hoffman. "I’d never seen so much pandemonium at a track. People leapt into the air. People clapped. Strangers hugged each other. Everyone was beaming in disbelief."

The time trial was ranked #4 in Trot's 40 Greatest Moments of the Last 40 Years, higher than any other non-betting contest.

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