
Despite a jump in class, Cougar On A Terr put forth another stellar effort to win her second straight race in the $20,548 TrackMaster feature for fillies and mares at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, July 15.
Cougar On A Terr (Matty Athearn) got away fifth as Roaring Kitty (Jimmy Hardy) took control of the race from her pylon post position and flew to the quarter in :26.1. But before they reached the half in :55.2, Windydayatthebeach (Drew Monti) was out in chase and matched strides with the leader through three-quarters in 1:23.
At that point, Cougar On A Terr was sixth, third-over in the outer flow behind Beantown Ace (Nick Graffam), but was ready to advance on the final bend. At the top of the last turn, Beantown Ace tipped three-deep and Cougar On A Terr followed. At the head of the stretch, Cougar On A Terr went four wide and charged down a game Windydayatthebeach to win by a half-length in 1:52.2. Windydayatthebeach had to settle for second with Fern Hill Indigo (Brett Beckwith) third.
The win was the third of the year in 12 attempts for Cougar On A Terr ($8) and owner Catherine Dickson. Gretchen Athearn trains the six-year-old daughter of Cougar Hall-Toxic Terror who is 22-for-99 lifetime.
Drivers Matty Athearn and Drew Campbell and trainer Gretchen Athearn all won two races on Tuesday.
There was a huge payout in the sixth race Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager when a single unique combination of 9-8-1-3-5 returned $16,616.58 for a 20-cent wager.
On Sunday, Plainridge Park will host the biggest day of racing in New England when the Grand Circuit returns, featuring the $250,000 USD Spirit of Massachusetts Trot and $100,000 USD Clara Barton Distaff Pace. Post time for this outstanding day of harness action is 2 p.m.
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday at 4 p.m., and there will be a $2,338 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in race six.
(Plainridge Park)