After going three-for-three at Vernon Downs since late May, Makorori N made his Massachusetts debut for new trainer Alicia Gray on Thursday, July 16 and won the featured $23,944 conditioned pace at Plainridge Park.
Driven by Shawn Gray, he got away fifth and 12-1/2 lengths behind a speed battle between Sunsational (Bruce Ranger) and Lyons Honeymonster (Brad Irvine), who went toe-to-toe to the quarter in :26. Lyons Honeymonster finally relented to the pocket and Sunsational then led the pack to the half in :55.2.
Heading to five-eighths, an outer flow formed with Gracies Tough Guy (Kevin Switzer Jr.) pulling first ahead of Makorori N. At three-quarters in 1:23, Lyons Honeymonster popped the pocket and stalled in front of Gracies Tough Guy, forcing Makorori N three-deep. Makorori N chased down Sunsational down the lane, then held off the fast-closing Dead Mans Chain (Brett Beckwith) to win by a head in 1:52.1. Be Ready To Rock (Jim Hardy) was third.
Makorori N ($5.20) established a new lifetime mark with the victory, his sixth of the year in 11 starts. The five-year-old Downbytheseaside-Karamea Dreamin gelding, imported from New Zealand in the winter, is owned by Paul O’Neil. He is six-for-18 lifetime.
In the $21,127 conditioned pace for four-year-olds and under, Captain Rocknroll (Mitchell Cushing) went right to the front, cut fractions of :27.3, :55.4 and 1:23.2 and held off Lyons Blewbyu (Bruce Ranger) by a half-length to win in a lifetime-best 1:52.4. Houdini Hanover (Brad Irvine) was third. Captain Rocknroll ($25.80) is owned by Mona Dodd and Joseph Bradeen and trained by Mike Cushing.
Cushing took three other wins on Thursday for a natural grand slam in races two through five. Cushing also won with Alvin Brickrock (1:52, $5.40), Twin B Jays (1:52.4, $12.60) and Heartofgold Devie (1:56.2, $7.20). Like Captain Rocknroll, Heartofgold Devie is trained by Mike Cushing, making him the day's leading conditioner with two wins on the 11-race card.
Racing will resume at Plainridge on Sunday at 2 p.m. for a special matinee card featuring the $300,000 USD Grade 2 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot and the $150,000 USD Grade 3 Clara Barton Distaff Pace.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)