He worked to get the lead but once he did, Hudson Phil finished the job as he won the $20,000 feature pace at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (May 24).
Cigars And Port, JK Will Power and Hudson Phil all contended for the front with Hudson Phil coming out on top past the :26.4 quarter. From there the classy seven-year-old got things his own way. He got to the half in :55.2 and three-quarters in 1:23.2 with no pressure from behind. With a 1-1/2-length lead, Hudson Phil turned for home and would not let the tripping JK Will Power get to him, hanging on to win in 1:51.2.
It was the 38th win for Hudson Phil who is owned by Kellogg Racing Stables and trained by Jackie Greene. Jay Rnadall drove the $4.40 winner.
A pair of $17,500 conditioned paces complimented the day's feature. In the first, Alta Madeira N took the lead at the quarter in :26.4 and kept up a fast tempo from there. Adashious Hanover pulled first over past the half and Amini followed as they pushed the third quarter to 1:23.2. But coming into the stretch, Alta Madeira N was strong and paced home the best by three-quarter lengths, tying her lifetime mark of 1:52.2.
Owned by Michael Spaccarelli and trained by Rob Harmon, Alta Madeira N returned $4.40. Jay Randall drove the winner.
Driver Jay Randall also won with Waimac Attack N in 1:52.1 and paid $4 to win to finish the day with a hat trick. Trainer Rob Harmon trained Waimac Attack N, and that gave him a training double.
The second of the two $17,500 races was won by Rockin The Blaze who did what he does every week; win gate to wire. After grabbing the lead, Rockin The Blaze clipped off quarters of :26.3, :56.1 and 1:23.3 while Quick Shot tried to stay close. Heading for home, driver Bruce Ranger kept Rockin The Blaze on task and cruised to a 1-1/4-length, 1:51.3 win.
It was the seventh victory of the year for Rockin The Blaze who is owned by Howard Jacobs and trained by Melissa Beckwith. He paid $5.40 to win.
There is a large and growing carryover of $12,577 in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta for Race 6 on Thursday (May 26) when racing resumes at Plainridge Park 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)