Rock Diamonds N made an early second-over move behind live outer cover and turned it into a victory in the $17,500 District 9 Gronk Series at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon.
Avatartist (Bruce Ranger) got away sharp and was two on top at the quarter in :26.4. Shortly after that station, Bet You (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) pulled first into the breeze while Rock Diamonds N (Ron Cushing) followed willingly. The field was in two rows heading up the backside with three in and three out when Bet You drew alongside Avatartist at three-quarters. That challenge faltered coming out of the last turn where Cushing tipped Rock Diamonds N three deep and started to drive hard down the lane. Avatartist was game and held his ground but Rock Diamonds N had a head of steam and rolled past him at the wire to win in 1:53.
It was the fourth win of the year for Rock Diamonds N ($11.40) who now has earned $189,945 on the strength of 15 wins since coming to the Northern Hemisphere last year. The seven-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover-Dancing Diamonds is owned by Kevin Sywyk, his driver Ron Cushing and Frank Ranaldi. Heidi Gibbs does the training.
The team of Cushing, Sywyk, Ranaldi and Gibbs also doubled up, sending Mach Doro A ($8.40) to a six-length win in the day’s final race.
In the other $15,000 Gronk division, Quick Shot (Bruce Ranger) scored his second consecutive victory after pulling at the three-eighths to take the overland route to the top of the stretch where he grabbed the lead and then held off Cherokee Hiflyzane (Mitchell Cushing) by a neck at the wire in 1:53.3. Quick Shot ($5.60) is owned by Kathleen Brewer and is trained by Artie Brewer.
Bruce Ranger was the top driver on Thursday, scoring a hat trick on the 10-race card.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday with post time at 1 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)