A pair of $8,500 races topped the card at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon and the winner of each found victory by small margins.
In the mid-level condition event for distaff pacers Rockn Ruby N (Nick Graffam) cut the mile and walked to the half in :58. Having enough of that, Jaded Dream (Mitchell Cushing) and Bye Bye Felicia (Drew Monti) pulled out by the half and applied heavy pressure from there to the head of the lane. When they straightened out for home, Rockn Ruby N maintained a length advantage but Bye Bye Felicia was flying at her on the outside and closing with every stride. However Rockn Ruby N held her lead to the wire to win in 1:53.4, with a swift :55.4 back half.
It was the fifth win in 24 starts this year for Rockn Ruby N ($7.20) who is owned by Kathleen Brewer and trained by Artie Brewer II.
Four races later it was a non-winners event for the five-year-old and under set that saw Lyons Beachboy (Drew Monti) take an early lead before finding Stroman (Mitchell Cushing) at his side by the half. These two then paced stride for stride to three-quarters in 1:24.4 when Stroman took over the front on the outside and looked to be in good shape. But Monti kept working Lyons Beachboy down the stretch and he was game and responded well to came back to win by a nose in 1:54.
It was the second straight win and fourth of the year for Lyons Beachboy ($7.60) and his connections Lases Racing. Jaymes Mcassey trains the winner.
Shawn Gray scored a natural hat trick in races two through four and ended up leading all drivers for wins on the card as a result.
The Wicked Hi-5 Pentafecta jackpot continues to grow. With no winners once again in races six or nine, the carryover pool for race six at Plainridge Park on Friday will be a record $46,238. Post time for the first race is 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)