Mach Doro A Dominates At Plainridge
As had been the case in his last two wins at Plainridge Park, Mach Doro A once again performed like a man against boys in winning the $14,000 Winners-Over Handicap feature pace on Monday afternoon.
Leaving from post seven, Mach Doro A (Ron Cushing) flew to the front to set up shop and once there unchallenged, backed off the fractions to :27 and :56.2. By the time Bet You (Mitchell Cushing) pulled first-up to try and push the pace, Mach Doro A was on his way home. With his driver snugly holding two hands full of leather, Mach Doro A ripped-off back to back quarters of :27 and :27.3 to fly home in :54.3 unencumbered with a three-length victory in 1:51, which was a new lifetime best.
It was the third win in the last four starts and fourth win of the year for Mach Doro A ($2.60) who is owned by Kevin Sywyk, Ron Cushing and Frank Ranaldi. Heidi GIbbs trains the winner.
The next race on the card was a $12,000 upper-level conditioned event that went to Windsun Gotham (Mitchell Cushing) who pulled first-over past three-eighths and drew alongside the front-running Cruzing HIll (Drew Campbell) on the backstretch. From there the two tussled to the three-quarters and around the final bend before Windsun Gotham took the lead and then held off a late charge from Gillys Boy (Jay Randall) and Rockin Cougar (Nick Graffam) to win by a length in 1:52.1.
It was the second win in a row for Windsun Gotham ($2.80) who is owned by Rick Howles and trained by Eric Beach.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday and it will feature a $14,169 carryover pool for the Wicked Hi-5 Pentafecta in the sixth race. Post time for the first race is 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)