A pair of District 9 events named "The Glenn" for resident pacers of Plainridge Park were held on closing day Friday (Nov. 27), with big performances put in by both winners.
In the $25,000 main event, Rock Diamonds N (Ron Cushing) turned a second-over trip into a five-length victory.
Quick Shot (Bruce Ranger) out-sprinted Avatartist (Nick Graffam) and skated to the quarter in :26. Just past the three-eighths, Paternity Suit A (Drew Monti) pulled first-over, followed by Rock Diamonds N as they hit the half.
Paternity Suit A Drew alongside Quick Shot up the backstretch and crossed over for the lead by three-quarters in 1:21.4. But Rock Diamonds N was next to be heard from, and he took the lead at the head of the stretch. From there, he opened up a five-length advantage as he paced to the wire wrapped up in 1:50.2.
It was the fifth win of the year for Rock Diamonds N ($10.60), and it pushed his seasonal bankroll to $73,425 for owners Kevin Sywyk, Ron Cushing and Frank Ranaldi. Heidi Gibbs does the training.
Then, in the $20,000 undercard, Cherokee Hiflyzane (Mitchell Cushing) mounted a late rush to claim victory in the shadow of the wire.
Cherokee Hiflyzane got away third while Rockin Cougar (Graffam) took the field to the quarter in :26.3 and the half in :55.1. Just past that station, Waves (Monti) came first-up with Mach Doro A (Ron Cushing) right on his back.
Positions remained the same until Mach Doro A tipped three-deep and drew alongside Rockin Cougar at the three-quarters in 1:23. At that point, it looked like a two-horse race. But at the seven-eighths pole, Cherokee Hiflyzane found room to get off the pylons from fifth and started to pace furiously. He made up the 3-1/2 lengths he was behind at the top of the lane and caught Rockin Cougar at the line by a quarter length in 1:51.3.
It was the fourth win of the year for Cherokee Hiflyzane ($7.00), who is owned and trained by Roger Farrar.
Plainridge Park had a $47,420 carryover for the Wicked Hi-5 wager in the sixth race, which offered players a guaranteed $75,000 pool through the USTA Strategic Wagering Program along with a mandatory payout.
There was $99,571 new money wagered for a total pool of $146,991, which was the largest ever bet at Plainridge Park. The combination of 9-3-8-5-4 returned $244.98 for a 20-cent bet.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)