After five non-winning starts in the Open Trot, Namesmuscle did the drop and pop on Friday (May 24) to win the $12,000 conditioned feature for the diagonally gaited at Plainridge Park.
Namesmuscle (Matt Athearn) took early command and rebuffed a quick bid from Fluff Me Up (Jay Randall), seating that one by the quarter. With the field in single file, the group marched to the half in :57.3 where Front Street (Mitchell Cushing) pulled first-over with Sortie Hanover (Drew Campbell) right on his tail.
As the race progressed to three-quarters, Front Street was unable to get closer than a length to the leader so in the far turn, Sortie Hanover went three-wide around him to continue to track down Namesmuscle. But Namesmuscle had slipped away with a two-length lead and trotted smartly on the front to the wire where he won in 1:55.2, which tied his lifetime mark.
It was the second win of the year for Namesmuscle ($4), who has now bankrolled $21,720 in 2019 for owner William Phipps. Gretchen Athearn trains the winner.
When live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Memorial Day Monday (May 27), there will be a $5,273 carryover pool for the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the sixth race. Post time for the first race is 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)