It had been more than a month since He Hunts visited the winner’s enclosure at Plainridge Park, but it was open season for victory on Tuesday, Nov. 4 as he bagged his fifth career win in the $24,648 conditioned trotting feature at The Ridge.
He Hunts (Jim Hardy) wasted no time getting to the front in a :28.3 first quarter and led by a gapped advantage through middle fractions of :57.2 and 1:27 while the rest of the field was strung out and jockeying for minor spoils. He Hunts rounded the last turn and entered the stretch ahead by two lengths, and he was then a wrapped-up winner by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:57.2. Sangria Girl (Steven Wilson) closed for second over Joyous Spirit (Kevin Switzer Jr.).
He Hunts ($4) is owned by Arthur Blutstein and trained by Jolene Andrews. The sophomore son of Muscle Hill-Winter Sweet Frost has earned $77,088 in 24 lifetime starts.
Driver Bruce Ranger had a big day at Plainridge, winning four races on the 10-dash card. He scored with Devious Lad (2:00, $7.20), Smokin Molly (1:55.1, $9), Betterthanhope N (1:55.1, $4), and Dazzling Lindy (1:59.1, $2.60). Betterthanhope N and Smokin Molly are trained by Kathleen Brewer, who shared top training honours on the afternoon with Gretchen Athearn.
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. There will be a $3,316 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in the sixth race.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)