Ponda Rocky knocked out his opponents with a big third quarter to win the $22,973 featured conditioned trot as the odds-on favourite on Tuesday, May 5 at Plainridge Park.
Nick Graffam sent Ponda Rocky to the front from post seven and set up shop on the point in short order. With Pantofolaio (Mitchell Cushing) sitting the pocket, Ponda Rocky stepped off fractions of :28, :57.4 and 1:26, pulling clear of the rest by five lengths at three-quarters. He maintained that margin into the stretch, and Graffam had him wrapped up as he headed for home, cruising to the line ahead of the late-closing Cash Out Express (Jay Randall) to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2. Pantofolaio was third.
Ponda Rocky ($3.80) nabbed his first win of the year in three starts for trainer Mark Eaton, who owns the gelding in partnership with Robert Griffin. The four-year-old son of Pastor Stephen-Wildflower is now seven-for-31 lifetime.
In the $17,568 conditioned trot for four-year-olds and under, Get Outa My Lane (Mike Oosting) left from post one and led to the half, where Fairytale Moni (Nick Graffam) mounted a challenge from the outside and pressured the leader to three-quarters. Get Outa My Lane was unfazed by the attacker and entered the last turn on top by a length, then opened up by two lengths and broke her maiden in 1:57.1. Halifax (Jim Hardy) completed the triactor.
Get Outa My Lane ($13.60) is owned by K R Breeding and trained by Domenico Cecere. The sophomore daughter of Chapter Seven-Livininthefastlane won her first start of the year and improved to one-for-four lifetime.
Drivers Matty Athearn, Nick Graffam and Drew Monti and trainer Kathleen Brewer all scored two wins during the 11-race card.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday at 4 p.m. There will be a $3,483 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the sixth race.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)