After finishing second and third in new track record times in back to back weeks, Mambo Lindy got back to his winning ways taking the $17,000 Open Handicap trot at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon.
Mambo Lindy (Greg Merton) got away sixth while Guiltywithanexcuse (Jim Hardy) and Black Broadway (Mark Beckwith) took turns with the lead going to the quarter, the latter winning that tussle before slowing the half to a moderate :57. Realizing the brakes were on, Merton pulled Mambo Lindy first-up and started a methodical approach towards the leader.
Fourth, third, second; Mambo Lindy could smell blood in the water as he drew alongside Black Broadway at the three-quarter pole and at that moment he dug-in and took off. Mambo Lindy opened up a five-length advantage by the head of the stretch and with Merton deciding his best side for the picture, Mambo Lindy cruised away to a seven-length win in 1:53.2; last quarter in a sparkling :27.2.
It was the sixth win in nine starts, all at Plainridge Park, for Mambo Lindy ($4.00) and it enhanced his bank to $55,000 for owner Greathorse of Massachusetts. Frank Antonacci trains Mambo Lindy.
In the co-featured $14,000 conditioned trotting event, One Swan For All (Wallace Watson) took the overland route to victory, scoring a 1:56.2 win and blowing up the toteboard in the process. Owned by Joel Wheeler and trained by Lisa Watson, One Swan For All was disregarded at 23-1 and paid $49.00.
It was tag-team Thursday at The Ridge as three sets of driver/trainers combined for two wins apiece. Greg Merton doubled with two Frank Antonacci charges, Mark Beckwith scored with two Elisha Lafreniere trainees and Wallace Watson won with two of Lisa Watson’s students.
Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday with a Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta carryover of $10,976.45 in the sixth race. Post time for the first race is at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)