A pair of $15,000 condition races - one for horses and geldings and one for fillies and mares - both featuring six-year-old and younger starters were contested at Plainridge Park on Thursday and winners Alex Having Fun and Know Your Roll both won as a result of strong stretch drives.
In the male division, Alex Having Fun (Drew Campbell) got away sixth behind the front stepping Finnbar (Bruce Ranger) but made a first-over move at the half to close that gap. That flushed Put To Right (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) and then Campbell followed his cover all the way to the top of the stretch where they tipped three-deep. Put To Right continued to lead as they headed for home but Alex Having Fun responded to heavy urging from Campbell in deep stretch and eventually reached at the line by one-quarter of a length in a lifetime best 1:52.3.
It was the second straight win and third overall for the year for Alex Having Fun ($12.00) and owner/trainer Kimberly Vafiades.
The distaff split saw Know Your Roll (Drew Monti) get away third while the favoured Chasethecloudsaway (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) cut the fractions. A three-horse outer flow led by Mouth Watering (Ron Cushing) marched towards the leader at the half as Know Your Roll continued to get shuffled back. Chasethecloudsaway continued to lead as the outside horses fanned three deep at three-quarters and around the last turn. Coming out of that bend, Know Your Roll was hopelessly locked in last on the pegs. But when the group straightened out, the pylons cleared and Know Your Roll had a straight line to the wire and got there first by a head in 1:53.1.
Know Your Roll ($10.20) got her second win at Plainridge Park since relocating from Delaware and fourth overall of the year for owner Yorwollahan Racing Team. Jimmy Nickerson trains the winner.
Know Your Roll was one of three wins for Drew Monti who led all drivers on Thursday. Trainers Heidi Gibbs and Jeff Lieberman both had conditioning doubles as well.
Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday (June 18) with post time for the first race at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)