After two second-place finishes in the top class on the grounds, Rock Diamonds N drew inside and won the $25,000 Open Handicap pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (May 17).
Rollinlikethunder tried a move for the front and outhustled Bill Haley N to the quarter in :26.3. From there, positions remained unchanged to the half when Rock Diamonds N pulled first over and aggressively went after the leader.
Rollinlikethunder and Rock Diamonds N paced stride for stride up the backside and to three-quarters, where Rock Diamonds N put a head in front after a spirited :27.4 quarter. Incrementally increasing his lead as they moved around the final turn, Rock Diamonds N cleared at the top of the lane and pulled away to a 1-3/4 length victory over a fast-closing Always A Miki in 1:52.1.
It was the fourth win of the year for Rock Diamonds N, who is owned by his driver Ron Cushing along with Kevin Sywyk. Heidi Gibbs trains the $12.20 winner.
The fastest mile of the day came in the $20,000 Winners-Over Pace where Patrickthepiranha A scored his second-straight win in a season's best time.
Bruce Ranger grabbed the lead with Patrickthepiranha A at the quarter and, after backing the half down to :56, turned on the jets. As the field tried to keep up, Patrickthepiranha A stepped off back to back :27.1 panels and closed the race by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:50.2.
It was the third win of the year for Patrickthepiranha A and Thestable Patrickthepiranha. Melissa Beckwith trains the $3 winner.
The feature race for pacing fillies and mares on Tuesday was the $20,000 Winners-Over class and second-time Plainridge starter Bettorb Chevron N got her first win in Massachusetts.
Matty Athearn left from post 6 with Bettorb Chevron N and dropped in third, where he stalked the pace of Probert as she took the field to a casual :57.1 half. Bettorb Chevron N then came first up and pushed a quick :27 third quarter before taking the lead in the stretch and holding off a late charge by Turnthefrownaround to win by three-quarter lengths in a season's best 1:52.4.
It was the fifth win of the year for Bettorb Chevron N and owner William Hartt. Lance Hudson trains the mare who paid $5.20 to win.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (May 19) at 4 p.m. (EDT). Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website and clicking the "Racing" tab.
(Plainridge Park)