Resolve To Win has been a force since coming to Plainridge Park in April, and he flexed his might again on Thursday, Aug. 13 when he won the $34,722 Open Handicap Trot for the second week in a row.
Resolve To Win (Bruce Ranger) sat behind the speedy Makeorbreakzaz S (Larry Stalbaum) as he blazed through splits of :26.3, :54.2 and 1:23 to three-quarters. At the top of the last turn, Resolve To Win left the pocket and trotted right by Makeorbreakzaz S, then jogged home to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:52.2, equalling his lifetime mark. Pepper Wow (Mitchell Cushing) surged for second, followed by Corner Store (Mike Oosting).
Resolve To Win ($14) is owned by Pollack Racing LLC and trained by Enrico Robinson. The six-year-old son of Resolve-Sensual Hall is nine-for-20 this year.
Another big time was posted in the $23,611 upper-level conditioned trot when Kazio Dk made it look easy.
Kazio Dk (Mitchell Cushing) took the lead off the gate, but Memorynimagination (Matty Athearn) forged to the front passing the :28 quarter. Kazio Dk was right back out to regain the lead that he would not relinquish again. Kazio Dk got to the half in a pedestrian :57 before turning on the jets to post a :27.4 third quarter while opening up a three-length lead. He then rounded the last turn and bolted for home in a :28 final panel to win by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:52.4, setting a new lifetime mark. Memorynimagination was second-best, with Bill Bauer (Bruce Ranger) third.
Kazio DK ($4.20), owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, FAC Racing LLC and Yannick Gingras, is now seven-for-19 this year. James Heap trains the winner.
Mike Oosting had a grand slam in the bike on Thursday, as did Bruce Ranger, whose quartet included a natural hat trick in races five through seven.
There were some huge win payouts at The Ridge during the 11-race card. Manhattan Moni (Irvin Crews) paid $100.40 and Tanyas Joy (Mike Oosting) returned $113.20.
Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday at 4 p.m. There will be a $1,882 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the sixth race.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)