Co-featured Open class events were held at Plainridge Park on Monday (Oct. 26) afternoon with each winner taking a different path to victory.
In the $35,211 Open pace for horses and geldings, the Massachusetts-bred Southpaw turned a pocket ride to the winner’s circle.
Southpaw (Jimmy Whittemore) tucked-in second behind Kwik Sand A (Mitchell Cushing) as he tripped the timers in :26.1, :54.3 and three-quarters in 1:22.1, where Soho Spectre A (Brett Backwith) was outside and pressing. Kwik Sand A and Soho Spectre A battled around turn three and into the stretch, where Southpaw finally was able to find some racing room. Southpaw angled off the cones and quickly drew alongside Kwik Sand A. in deep stretch. Then Southpaw finally forged ahead of Soho Spectre A, before holding off the fast-closing Tenzing Bromac N (Ron Cushing) by a nose under the line to win in 1:50.
It was the sixth win of the year for Southpaw ($20.80) in 22 outings. The four-year-old American Ideal-Love You Bye gelding is owned and trained by his driver, Jimmy Whittemore of Vernon, NY.
There was also a $33,803 Open trot where Super Duper Cooper went gate to wire to score his ninth win of the season.
Super Duper Cooper (Brett Beckwith) went right to the top from post five and never looked back. Ordained (Nick Graffam) followed Super Duper Cooper, tight in the pocket, from the start to three-quarters in 1:24.2, while Memorynimagination (Matty Athearn) followed a loose third. In the last turn, Ordained pulled and Memorynimagination did as well, three-wide. As the race turned for home it looked like the two trailers had a shot, but Super Duper Cooper would prove no match as he pulled away by 2-1/4 lengths to win in 1:53.3. Memorynimigination was second, with Ordained finishing third.
Super Duper Cooper ($3.40) is owned by Pollock Racing of Venetia, PA. Enrico Robinson trains the five-year-old E L Titan-Pink Power gelding.
Pollock and Robinson teamed for a total of three wins on Monday as they also scored with Blank Stare (1:49.4, $4.00) and Lusaka N (1:50.4, $8.60).
Drivers Brett Beckwith and Bruce Ranger both had hat tricks during the afternoon.
Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Oct. 27) at 2 p.m. and there will be a $19,831 USD carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the sixth race.
(With files from The Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts; Photo of Super Duper Cooper winning on Oct. 26)