Rockin Ellie took a two-hole trip and turned it into her fourth win of the year in the $12,000 conditioned distaff pace at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon.
Rockin Ellie (Bruce Ranger) left and dropped in second behind Hereslookinatyou N (Mitchell Cushing), who took the field to the quarter in a swift :26.4. An outer flow formed before the half led by Royalty Again (Drew Monti) before the group split into two groups; four in and four out heading up the backside.
Hereslookinatyou N and Royalty Again paced side by side past the three-quarters and around the far turn without either getting a clear advantage. Heading into the stretch, the trailing horses fanned five wide and all were closing on the leaders. But the quickest route to the wire was at the pylons and that’s where Rocking Ellie shot through to get home first by a length in 1:53.4.
It was the sixth lifetime win for the four-year-old daughter of Rockincam-Sodys Home Brew who is owned by Just Enough LLC and Mike Girouard, who also does the training.
In the $10,500 condition pace for older mares, Dontustopbelievn N (Ron Cushing) led at every station while turning back a third quarter challenge from Hilaria (Mike Stevenson) and fending off a late charge from Weekend Getaway (Shawn Gray) to close out the mile with a 1:53.1 win and take a new lifetime mark.
It was the third win in the last four starts for Dontustopbelievn N ($5.60) who is owned by Scott McKenzie, Laura Karageorge and Ron Cushing. Heidi Gibbs trains the winner.
Mitchell Cushing led all drivers on Thursday with three wins on the card while Matty “Ice” Athearn and Bruce Ranger each had two. Trainers Mike Girouard, Ryan Berry and Melissa Beckwith also had conditioning doubles.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon (Aug. 14) with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)