Three divisions of Winners-Over pacers went postward at Plainridge Park on Monday and despite an off-track due to early day rain, all three winners turned in impressive miles.
The top division went for $20,000 and Artful Way (Bruce Ranger) put a circle around the competition. Ranger hustled Artful Way to the front and with no resistance, put the field to sleep with a pedestrian half of :57. The pace picked up when Stihl N (Matty Athearn) came first over to challenge but Artful Way had things under control. After rebuffing Stihl N with a :27.2 third panel, Ranger stepped on the gas and Artful Way barrelled home in :26.4, thwarting the pocket sitting Sports Obsession (Drew Monti) in the stretch to by one length in 1:51.1.
It was a new seasonal mark for Artful Way ($6.00) and owner the Kellogg Racing Stable. The nine-year-old gelded some of Artistic Fella-Art Debut is trained by Jackie Greene.
The $17,500 group saw Rock Diamonds N (Ron Cushing) take a cozy seat behind the front running Rollinlikethunder (Drew Monti) through quarters of :27.3, :55.2 and 1:23.2. He continued to follow the leader around the far turn before Cushing pulled right line. Rock Diamonds N bolted to the outside and completed the brush-and-crush by pacing by Rollinlikethunder in quick fashion and then pulling away from the field by 1-1/2 lengths to win in 1:51.2.
It was the second win in a row for Rock Diamonds N ($3.60) who is owned by his driver Ron Cushing and Kevin Sywyk. Heidi Gibbs trains the winner.
Then in the $15,000 split, Passport To Art (Shawn Gray) took an early lead, yielded to Mach Doro A (Ron Cushing) at the quarter, but then regained the front for good in front of the stands. Despite speeding to the half in :53.4, a stiff outer flow formed and the field was split four in and three out. With the tightly bunched group at his heels Passport To Art hit three-quarters in 1:22, rounded the last bend with a widening margin and paced home on top by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:50.4, which was a new lifetime mark for the winner.
Passport To Art ($5.80) is owned by Elizabeth and Duce Spalluto and is trained by Alicia Gray.
Driver Shawn Gray scored a grand slam on Monday while Bruce Ranger had the hat trick. Jackie Greene led all trainers with two wins during the card.
Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (July 15) at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)