Despite being parked out along way at the start of the race, American Rock still had leg at the end and prevailed in the $14,000 pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon in a personal best effort.
American Rock (Jim Hardy) left from post five and got parked out to the quarter in :26.2 by Warrawee Nonsuch (Shawn Gray) before eventually seating in front. However Biggie (Greg Merton) who was idling outside during that initial conflict then motored up and took command by the three-eighths.
With Biggie now barking orders, Prince Aston (Scott Renz) came first-over and prompted a 1:22.3 third panel. Those two battled around the last turn and into the head of the stretch. Biggie was holding Prince Aston at bay but drifted off the pylons. This allowed American Rock a lane to progress and Hardy got to work. He rocked and knocked and American Rock shot the gap, winning by a neck in 1:51.4.
The time of 1:51.4 was a new lifetime mark for American Rock ($5.00) who chalked up his fifth win of the year (the second win in his last three outings) earning him $48,980 this year. The five-year-old gelded son of Rocknroll Hanover is owned by Stephen Zajchowski, Jr., David Thibault, Christine Thibault and Jim Hardy, who also trains the winner.
In the co-featured $12,000 conditioned pace, Quick Shot (Shawn Gray) was third at the rail raging with pace until Gray pulled at the half and gave him his head. He collared the front-running Lindy Beach (Greg Merton) at the top of the stretch and relentlessly ground him down at the wire and won by a neck in 1:51.3.
Quick Shot ($5.80) is owned and trained by John Bowman.
Jim Hardy pulled off a training/driving hat trick on Monday doing double duty with American Rock (1:51.4, $5.00), Dontmesswiththebest (1:54.3, $5.60) and Lots Of Lovin (1:54.3, $9.40).
Shawn Gray and Mark Beckwith also had driving doubles on the card.
There was one winner in the sixth race Wicked Hi-5 Pentafecta. The 2-10-6-1-7 straight combination paid out $14,176.40 for a 20-cent wager.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)