A pair of $23,288 conditioned trots topped the bill at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (June 6) and the winners of both put forth career best efforts in victory.
The first was won by Cruising Tom (Matty Athearn) who got away fifth as Downhome Punch (Mitchell Cushing) led to the quarter in :27.2. But Athearn had Cruising Tom out and rolling in front of the stands and had complete control of the race by the half. Cruising Tom passed three-quarters in 1:25.2 and by the top of the stretch had opened up a three length advantage. From there, Cruising Tom trotted home unencumbered and won easily by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:54.2 to take a new lifetime mark.
After three consecutive second place finishes, Cruising Tom ($3.80) got his first win of the year for owners Rick Cortese and Marc Reynolds.
The second went to Kilauea (Kevin Switzer Jr.) who sat second behind Sonnys Moni (Bruce Ranger) through quarters of :27.3, :56.3 and 1:25 as Heartofgold Devie (Mitchell Cushing), Enola (Heath Campbell) and Sidd Finch (Drew Campbell) all stalked from the second tier around the last turn. Down the lane, Sonnys Moni looked vulnerable and the three in the breeze were gaining ground. But it was the tripping Kilauea who found room at the pegs and brushed home best to win by one-half length in 1:54.3 and register a new lifetime mark.
The triumph was the fourth win of the year for Kilauea ($75.60) who is owned by Michael Pease and trained by Chris Hitchcock.
Driver Jim Hardy and trainer Jolene Andrews combined to score a natural hat trick in races one, two and three on Thursday while driver Jay Randall also scored his own natural hat trick in races seven, eight and nine.
The Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta was hit in the sixth race and it provided a huge payout. The single unique winning combination of 4-5-1-9-7 returned $8,158.48 for a 20-cent wager.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (June 10) with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)