Winding Hill had won three straight top class trots at Plainridge Park before faltering from post seven last week. But the drought was short as the venerable 10-year-old gelding got back to his winning ways in the $15,000 Winners-Over Handicap trot at The Ridge on Friday afternoon.
Winding Hill (Drew Monti) was snatched off the gate and settled in fifth while stablemate Only Passing Through (Nick Graffam) took over as master of fractions. Under his direction, the single-file six-pack sauntered to the half in :57.3. Chav Hanover (Bruce Ranger) was first to pull and Winding Hill was obliged to follow as the group made their way up the backstretch.
The top four horses broke away from the rest and were two-in and two-out around the far turn. With Only Passing Through still on the point, Monti tipped Winding Hill three-deep at the head of the lane and he was full of trot. Chav Hanover overtook Only Passing Through mid-stretch, but Winding Hill went by him at the line with a stiff brush to win by 1/4 length in 1:55.
Along with his 38th career victory, Winding Hill ($10.80) took a new seasonal mark for himself and the winner’s share of the purse for his owner Diane Whittemore. Marissa Chadbourne trains the winner.
A pair of $12,500 conditioned trots was featured on the undercard.
The first went to Swipe Right (Shawn Gray) who followed Dazzling Lindy (Bruce Ranger) for the better part of the mile before overtaking the leader in the stretch, where he opened up a three-length gap and registered a lifetime best win timed in 1:55.4.
Swipe Right ($8.40) is owned by Kelly Hastings and is trained by Jaymes McAssey.
The second was won by Blue Knight (Ivan Davies) who took control of the race at the three-eighths from Mr. Muscle (Matty Athearn) and then cruised the rest of the way. After laying down identical snappy middle quarters of :28.4, Blue Knight turned for home and trotted away to a 3-3/4 length win in 1:55.3.
Blue Knight ($4.80) is owned by Richard Mason and trained by his driver, Ivan Davies.
Bruce Ranger was the top driver Friday, winning three races during the day.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (July 19) with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)