A full field of eight five-year-old and under trotters lined up behind the gate for the $12,000 featured event, but seven mostly watched as Northern Sultan led the pack from start to finish to take the main event at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon (April 23).
Northern Sultan (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) bolted to the lead and opened up a two length lead at the quarter in :28.2. From there he maintained his gapped advantage to the three-quarters where Switzer fed him some line, and the gelding turned up the heat. As they swung around the last turn, Northern Sultan opened up four lengths while Switzer sat chilly and extended that to 6-1/2 down the lane, crossing the line under wraps in 1:59.
Making his second start at Plainridge after wintering at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Northern Sultan ($4.80) scored his first win for owner/trainer Bill Krikorian, who privately purchased the son of Massachusetts-bred Hambletonian winner Royalty For Life on March 30.
The fastest trot of the day went to Explosive Ridge (Bruce Ranger) who put a circle around the mid-level conditioned field who were vying for $8,500. In his first race in Massachusetts after shipping from the Meadowlands, Explosive Ridge ($3.40) won by two lengths in 1:56.3 for owner/trainer Mike Eaton, who claimed him for $20,000 at the Big M on February 20.
Drivers Bruce Ranger and Wally Watson each had two wins on Friday while trainer Lisa Watson did the same on the training side.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (April 26) with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)