Thursday afternoon in the Commonwealth means an all-trot card at Plainridge Park and today was no exception. Highlighted by two late-closer series, favourable weather and a lightning fast track, seven lifetime marks along with two seasonal best efforts were registered during the 10-race program.
Two second division legs of the $10,000 Ralph Waldo Emerson late closer series for non-winners of $35,000 in 2017 went in race one and nine and strong performances were turned in by both winners.
Jericho (Joe Di Stefano) sat third for a half-mile before pulling out at three-quarters to overpower Dominus Hanover (Greg Merton) and My Little Susie (Drew Campbell) at the wire to win by a length in 1:54 flat, which was a new lifetime mark and the fastest mile of the day.
Jericho ($4.40) is owned by Linda Kenney, Robert Kenney and the Di Stefano and Son Stable. John Di Stefano is the trainer.
In the second set, Massachusetts-bred and Sire Stake eligible Pirate (Drew Campbell) showed he will be a contender in that series this year after he was parked for a half-mile and still out-battled The Lindy Treaty (Shawn Gray) all the way to the wire to win by a length in 1:55.1, which was a new lifetime mark.
Pirate ($13.60) is owned by Kathy and Earl Beaman; the latter also trains the winner.
There were also two, second division legs of the $12,500 Highland Light late closer series for three- and four-year-olds who are non-winners of two races or $15,000 lifetime. Those events went in races two and four.
Quicksilver Kemp (James Tomaso) rode the pylons fourth avoiding a breaker and two horses parked-out most of the mile to find racing room late and close strong in deep stretch to catch the favoured Haulin Banc (Shawn Gray) and win by two in 1:56.3, which was a new lifetime mark.
Overlooked by the betting public and sent off at 17-1, Quicksilver Kemp ($37.80) pulled the upset for owner/trainer Joel Wheeler.
The second leg went to Nows The Moment (Mike Stevenson) who took the lead at the quarter and ran off like a loose horse, winning by a wrapped-up five lengths in a lifetime best 1:55.3.
Nows The Moment ($2.60) is owned by Sonya Mac Donald and is trained by Allison Mac Donald.
In the $12,000 overnight feature trot, Nathaniel (Drew Campbell) turned his back on the competition, going gate to wire by a gapped advantage, eventually winning by a length in 1:54.4, which was a new lifetime mark.
Nathaniel ($5.80) is owned by Linwood Higgins and is trained by James Dunn.
Drew Campbell visited the track photographer four times on Thursday as he registered the grand slam for the day. Besides winning with the aforementioned Pirate and Nathaniel, Campbell also rang the bell with Angel Assault (1:56.3, $16.40) and Bruizn (1:55.2, $3.80).
With his four wins on Thursday, Drew Campbell has vaulted both Greg Merton and Shawn Gray (who were both shut-out Thursday) in the standings to take the dash driving lead at Plainridge Park for the meet. Campbell now has 35 wins while Merton and Gray are tied for second with 33 wins apiece.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday with post time at 4 p.m. There is a $4,529 carryover pool for the Wicked Hi-5 Pentafecta wager in race six on Friday.
(Plainridge Park)