After coming up just short in the feature at Plainridge Park last week after a tough parked-out journey, Hudson Phil got a perfect trip and paced away to a seasonal mark in the $15,000 Winners-Over pace on Thursday afternoon.
Hudson Phil (Jay Randall) tucked in second off the gate behind Rock Diamonds N (Mitchell Cushing) who splashed to the half over a sloppy track in :56. At that point Ideal Star A (Shawn Gray) was rolling up the outside and pushed the leader to a quick :27.3 third panel. Around the last turn Ideal Star A faded, making room for Hudson Phil to pull off the pylons and like a rocket, he opened up a quick two length lead and extended that to 3-3/4 at the light in 1:51.3, which was his best effort of 2020.
Hudson Phil ($5.80) scored his fifth win of the year for owner the Kellogg Racing Stable and trainer Jackie Greene.
In the co-featured $15,000 condition for five-year-olds and under, Unlikeanyother (Bruce Ranger) made quick work of the field on the point while setting fractions of :27, :57 and 1:24.3. From there he maintained his one length lead over the pocket-sitting Sea Isle City (Shawn Gray) all the way to the wire to win in 1:52.3.
It was the fourth win of the year for Unlikeanyother ($3.40) who is owned by Jim Winske. Melissa Beckwith is the trainer.
Nick Graffam, Drew Monti and Ron Cushing all had two driving wins on Thursday. Trainers Melissa Beckwith and Jackie Greene also scored two wins on the card.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday with post time at 2 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)