Nothing succeeds like success and that is what Only Passing Thru has had at Plainridge Park this year since returning from Florida in May. Today he registered his sixth consecutive win in the $12,000 conditioned trotting event at The Ridge to remain perfect in 2017.
After being taken off the gate and narrowly avoiding a breaking Just For Today (Mark Beckwith), the 3-5 betting favourite Only Passing Thru was then quickly rousted to the front by driver Greg Merton to avoid any further interruptions to their day. From there the race became uncomplicated for the pair and that gave the betting faithful a sigh of relief.
Only Passing Thru then comfortably registered fractional times of :29, :59.4 and 1:28.3 with only minor challenges from the trailing bunch. Around the last turn and with the plugs flailing in the wind, Merton sat stoic as Only Passing Thru trotted away to a four-length advantage in 1:56.4 win to remain perfect in 2017.
Only Passing Thru has now bankrolled $30,100 this year for owners Lindy Farms of Connecticut and Robert Rudolph. Frank Antonacci trains the winner.
In the co-featured $10,000 conditioned trot, Earls Last Shot (Chris Long) was a gate to wire victor, registering a new lifetime mark of 1:57.3 in the process. Earls Last Shot ($4.20) is owned by William Mc Elvain, Jr. and trained by James Dunn.
Leading driver Greg Merton added four more wins to his insurmountable meet dash win total of 117 while Trainer Frank Antonacci, who sports a .696 UDR for the meet, saw two of his students cross the wire in front.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday, July 27 with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)