There were two $26,761 upper-level conditioned paces featured on the card at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, Sept. 22, with Southpaw taking a new mark in the second and Bettors Donttell courageous in the first.

With Jimmy Whittemore in the bike, Southpaw got away in the three-hole as leader Hunting Zone (Bruce Ranger) reached the quarter in :26.4 before having to fight off Alex Having Fun (Drew Monti) to the half in :53.2. Once that challenge was turned back, Hunting Zone was under attack again by Magnus Victor A (Mitchell Cushing), who pulled from second and pushed the three-quarters to 1:20.2.

The top three horses had separated from the pack and maintained their positions around the far turn until Whittemore tipped Southpaw outside at the top of the stretch. The gelding then swelled up to pace home clear by three lengths and win in 1:49.3. Jms Delight (Shawn Gray) surged for second over Magnus Victor A. 

The win was the fifth of the year in 18 starts for the Massachusetts-bred Southpaw ($4.60). The four-year-old son of American Ideal-Love You Bye, now 14-for-49 lifetime, is owned, trained and was bred by Whittemore. 

In the first split of the feature class, Bettors Donttell turned a first-over move into his sixth victory of the year in 25 outings. 

Bettors Donttell (Bruce Ranger) pocketed up behind Courageous Warrior (Matty Athearn), who set early fractions of :26.2 and :55. At the midway mark, Bettors Donttell made his move, rolling up to draw alongside Courageous Warrior at three-quarters in 1:22.3. The two paced stride for stride around the last turn and into deep-stretch before Bettors Donttell forged ahead by a length and won in 1:50.3. Montana Gb (Nick Graffam) was third.

Bettors Donttell ($16.80) is owned by Winters Racing Stable and trained by Cory Stratton. The eight-year-old Bettors Delight-Donttellruss gelding is now 34-for-163 lifetime.

Matty Athearn and Mitchell Cushing both put on a driving clinic on Tuesday, as each posted a grand slam during the 11-race card. 

Athearn won with Lyons Shining (1:53, $14.60), Ladysassin (1:52.1, $3.60), Patrikthepiranha A (1:52.3, $3) in a natural hat trick, along with General Montana N (1:52.1, $6.20). He also had three seconds and a third out of his nine drives, giving him a one-day UDR of .667.

Cushing won with Beantown Deuce (1:51.3, $2.60), Hot On The Trail (1:54.2, $6.20), Torrid Saint (1:52.3, $11.60) and Set Shot (1:51.3, $11). Cushing also posted a second and a third from his 10 starts for a UDR of .489 for the afternoon. 

Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday at 2 p.m. The $3.2 million USD (est.) Massachusetts Breeders Stakes will start at Plainridge on Monday, Sept. 28.

(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts; photo of Southpaw winning on Sept. 22)