The Plainridge Park faithful were treated to one of the greatest driving performances ever recorded in the track’s history on Monday (Aug. 22).
Greg Merton won nine of the 11 races carded. At one point, the piping-hot Merton strung together seven straight victories, whipping the crowd into a frenzy.
After posting an easy victory with the sidewheeler Santanna Star in the day’s opening test, Merton was moved up to second place through a disqualification with the trotter It Really Matters in race two.
The man in the blue, white and black silks then reeled off consecutive wins with Sammy Said (race three), Pancakes (race four), Dream Rocker (race five), Fox Valley Arctic (race six), Trotalot (race seven), Secret Delight (race eight) and Calvin B (race nine).
Merton manned the pacer Unix Hanover to a second place finish in race 10, only to put the finishing touch on his record-setting day with a triumphant journey behind the pacer Nobles Finesse in the 11th and final race of the afternoon.
In his first year of racing at Plainridge, Merton has been on fire, winning 118 races to lead all drivers. Chris Long is currently in second place with 56 victories while Kevin Switzer Jr. has bagged 52 successes to date.
(with files from Plainridge)