Colossal Stride A, Ocean Colony Light It Up At Plainridge

A fast mile and a huge payoff were the big stories on Monday at Plainridge Park and both occurred in the featured races. 

In the $25,000 top-end conditioned pace, Colossal Stride A (Jim Hardy) followed live cover and pulled away late in the fastest mile of the afternoon. 

Sailor Jerry (Nick Graffam) went down the road and got to the half in :55.3. At that point Mansome (Kevin Switzer Jr.) pulled first-over and Colossal Stride A was right on his back. The tandem advanced on Sailor Jerry up the backside and to three-quarters where Hardy tipped Colossal Stride A three deep around the last turn. Mansome took the lead from Sailor Jerry in the turn and then Colossal Stride A took the lead from Mansome at the top of the stretch and from there, cruised home under a high-line to win by 1-¾ lengths in 1:51.4.

Colossal Stride A ($7.20) got his fourth win of the year for owner Royal Rock Racing and trainer Candace Brandstatter.

Then the largest win mutuel of the year was realized in the $20,000 upper-level condition pace when Ocean Colony (Matty Athearn) brushed late to win at 106-1. 

Hespoisedtopounce A (Jay Randall) left three-deep around the first turn and grabbed the lead past the :27.1 quarter while Ocean Colony got away last. As they cruised past the half in :55.2, Hespoisedtopounce A was still two lengths clear but heard footsteps from Treacherous Tom (Bruce Ranger) in the pocket and Odds On Blockchain (Austin Hanners) who was advancing on the outside. Around the last turn, Ocean Colony had moved into fourth and was loaded with pace, but had to go three-wide around stalled horses to take his shot at the leader. Hespoisedtopounce A was still in front but Ocean Colony came with a flurry and got the lead and the check at the line in 1:53.2. 

Owned and trained by Megan Reynolds, Ocean Colony returned $215.80 for the win and triggered a $1,693.20 payout for the $2 Exacta and a $7,194.20 return on the $2 Trifecta. 

There was another fat payoff in the sixth race when the Wicked Hi-5 Pentafecta was hit. The 3-2-1-7-8 combination returned $6,801.44 for a 20-cent wager. 

Drivers Drew Campbell and Kevin Switzer, Jr. each had two wins on Monday along with trainer Elisha Lafreniere. 

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Nov. 15) with post time at 1 p.m.

(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)