After winning two consecutive starts at Plainridge Park, Firstup finished seventh at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono only five days ago. But she returned to The Ridge on Friday (October 2) and picked up where she left off, winning the $17,500 featured Winners Over Pace for fillies and mares.
Driver Shawn Gray sent Firstup right to the front and had the race in full control from there. After getting to the half in a tepid :57 flat, Firstup hit the gas and went back-to-back :27.3 quarters while putting away a challenge from Thats Incredible (Drew Monti) and then cruising home to a two-length win under a line drive in 1:52.
The win was the fourth of the year for Firstup ($3), who is owned by the Jesmeral Stable and trained by Sheena Mcelhiney.
Gray also won the $15,000 condition for distaff four-year-olds and under with the promising three-year-old filly Odds On Algorithm ($5.60), who came first-over and took the lead past the half and then closed out the mile by a length in 1:52.4, which was just three-fifths of a second off the track record. Odds On Algorithm is owned by The Green Machine Stable and is trained by Alicia Gray.
Gray ended up the day with a driving triple, outpacing Bruce Ranger, who won two. Trainers Sheena Mcelhiney and Alicia Gray both scored two wins apiece as well.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Sunday (October 4) when the Massachusetts Sire Stakes three-year-old division will reconvene for their second legs. Then on Monday (October 5) the MASS two-year-olds will be back on the track. Post time for both days is 2 p.m.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)