A beautiful spring day and a perfect racing surface produced some sizzling miles at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon as only fifths of a second separated the top three pacing races of the week.
The main event was the $16,000 Open Handicap and Some Attitude out-duelled Rock Diamonds N at the wire to capture the winner’s share.
It was Dapper Dude (Bruce Aldrich, Jr.) who set the early fractions and got the group to the half in :55.1. Rock Diamonds N (Ron Cushing) who had been floating on the outside mid-pack, made a rush for the lead and got it on the backstretch and then opened a two-length advantage. Some Attitude (Jay Randall) was following that one and was able to keep up and draw alongside by the three-quarters.
After the two shadowed each other coming out of the turn it was a match race from there. Rock Diamonds N was on the inside and Some Attitude was to his right and they paced stride for stride all the way to the wire where Some Attitude just got a head in front before the line and won by a neck in 1:51.1.
It was the second win of the year and second consecutive win at Plainridge Park for Some Attitude ($10.60) who is owned by the Kellogg Racing Stables and is trained by Jackie Greene.
Then in the first of two co-featured conditioned events, Avatartist drew on his lightning speed to lead at every station and take the $14,000 Winners-Over pace.
Avatartist (Mark Eaton) turned some heads and showed his heels to the pack as he smoked the first quarter in :25.4, shrugging off an early challenge from Lettucerockthem A (Nick Graffam). He then went to the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:23.1 before rounding the far bend and not letting the pocket-sitting Major Leaguer (Jimmy Whittemore) get closer than a length down the lane before winning in 1:51.3, which was a new seasonal mark.
Avatartist ($4.40) also scored his second win of the year for owners Bob McHugh, Robert Griffin and his driver Eaton, who also trains the horse.
Finally in the $14,000 pace for non-winners of nine races lifetime, Tixnstones tripped-out to a close victory and matched his lifetime mark.
Coming in off of two consecutive victories, Opus Blue Chip (Jay Randall) was looking to make it three as he went to the front and set fractions of :26.1, :55 and 1:23. But all that time Tixnstones (Jim Hardy) was sitting in the garden spot enjoying the perfect trip. Hardy waited until halfway through the last turn to pull Tixnstones but when he did the horse responded. Opus Blue Chip and Tixnstones went blow for blow all the way down the stretch and it wasn’t until the wire when Tixnstones was able to get the advantage and the win by a neck in 1:51.4.
It was the first win in three 2019 starts for Tixnstones ($6.00) who is owned by David and Christine Thibault, Ed Nowak Jr. and Jim Winske. Jim Hardy also does the training.
“Matty Ice” Athearn led all drivers at Plainridge for wins on Monday, scoring a hat trick on the afternoon. He won with Mouthpiece (1:58.1, $11.80), Mikey Boy (1:55.1, $21.60) and Ok Icon (1:56.4, $7.40). Mikey Boy and Ok Icon were trained by Jennifer Allen who was the top trainer for the day with two wins.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)