Only weeks removed from his epic track record-tying performance in the prestigious Grade 3 Gold Cup & Saucer at Prince Edward Island's Charlottetown Driving Park, Fifth And Five shipped to Massachusetts and tied the track record for a four-year-old pacing horse at Plainridge Park on Friday, Oct. 2.
The new track record co-holder was only one of three winners during the afternoon for the formidable team of trainer Enrico Robinson and owner Pollack Racing of Venetia, Pennsylvania.
In Friday's featured finale, the $34,286 Open Handicap Pace, Fifth And Five and driver Jay Randall got away fourth as favoured Still Rollin N (Matty Athearn) led to the half in quick quarters of :25.4 and :54.2. As they moved onto the backstretch, Fifth And Five pulled first-over and advanced to take a short lead at three-quarters in 1:21.1. But as soon as he put away Still Rollin N, So Rock N Roll (Kevin Switzer Jr.), Southpaw (Jimmy Whittemore) and Jackson Cooper (Nick Graffam) were towering up to make late pushes. All three closed in on the leader, but Fifth And Five was the best on this day and won by a neck in 1:49.1, tying his lifetime mark as well as the track record.
Fifth And Five returned $8.40 to win as the 3-1 second choice. So Rock N Roll took second over Southpaw.
The Bettors Delight-Filou Fly Fast stallion now has a dozen wins in 45 career starts with earnings just shy of $600,000.
Robinson and Pollack Racing also won the $32,857 Open Handicap Trot with Outside The Fire, driven by Nick Graffam.
Outside The Fire out-battled Kazio DK (Kevin Switzer Jr.) and favourite Memorynimagination (Matty Athearn) for the lead past the quarter in :26.3. Once on top, Outside The Fire led the rest of the way, setting splits of :55.3 and 1:23.3. He opened up a two-length lead at three-quarters and maintained a comfortable advantage at the top of the stretch after sparring with Stormont Divide (Bruce Ranger) around the last turn. Pepper Wow (Mitchell Cushing) then made a huge rush late to make it interesting; however, Outside The Fire hung on by a quarter-length and won in 1:53.2. Stormont Divide was third.
Outside The Fire, a seven-year-old Cantab Hall-Light The Flame gelding, went over $600,000 mark in lifetime earnings with his 33rd win in 123 starts.
He returned $10.80 to his backers as the co-second choice at odds of 4-1.
Robinson and Pollack Racing also won with Hunting Zone, a six-year-old Huntsville-Smart Zone gelding, who dominated a $22,857 upper-level conditioned option claiming pace in 1:50 with Bruce Ranger in the bike. The win payout was $3.20.
There was also a $32,857 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap Pace on the 11-race card that was won by heavy 1-9 favourite Acushla Machree N, who put in another monster mile for driver Mitchell Cushing and trainer Gretchen Athearn.
After leaving fast, Acushla Machree N set quarters of :25.4, :54.1 and 1:21.2, with the closest mare four lengths behind her at that point. From there, Acushla Machree N skated around the last turn and bolted down the lane effortlessly to win by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:49.4. Take Your Pick (Nick Graffam) was the runner-up with Swedish Starlet N (Matt Athearn) third.
The win was the seventh of the year in 28 outings for Acushla Machree N, who is owned by Ray Campbell Jr. of Belchertown, Massachusetts. The seven-year-old daughter of Vincent and Annie Morva is a 22-time winner in her career with nearly $370,000 in purse earnings from 85 starts
She paid $2.20 to win.
Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)