Lusaka N stormed to a 5-1/2-length romp in the $35,211 Open Pace with a lifetime-best effort on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Plainridge Park.
The short five-horse feature field was scratched down to a four-horse affair, and Lusaka N (Nick Graffam) sat at the tail as Funtime Bayama (Brett Beckwith) motored to the quarter in :26.3 and half in :54.2. Lusaka N moved quickly from there and drew alongside Funtime Bayama as they passed three-quarters in 1:22.1. He then took control in the turn, opened up two lengths at the top of the stretch and bolted home to prevail in 1:49.3. Hunting Zone (Bruce Ranger) finished second, followed by Massive Speed (Kevin Switzer Jr.).
The win was the eighth of the year in 22 attempts for Lusaka N ($16). Enrico Robinson trains the seven-year-old son of Sweet Lou-Batini for Pollack Racing LLC.
In the $30,986 upper-level conditioned pace, Mr Huggins (Kyle Swift) sat second behind Zeppole Hanover (Brett Beckwith) to the :27.4 quarter but pulled quickly at that station to take command in front of the stands. Mr Huggins then paced alone on the point to the half in :56.1 and three-quarters in 1:24, where he was then challenged by Still Rollin N (Matty Athearn). Still Rollin N stayed alongside Mr Huggins around the turn, but when they straightened for home, Mr Huggins took off and stretched out to a 1-3/4-length win in 1:52.3. Still Rollin N held second over Zeppole Hanover.
Mr Huggins ($9) is owned by Gary Smith and trained by Larry Stalbaum. The four-year-old son of Courtly Choice-Taylorlane Diva is now four-for-27 on the year.
Drivers Matty Athearn and Brett Beckwith and trainers Gretchen Athearn, John DiStefano and Enrico Robinson all posted two wins apiece on the 11-race card.
Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday at 1 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)