As the skies opened up and a downpour ensued, Rollinlikethunder fittingly won the $20,000 Winners-Over pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon.
Hespoisedtopounce A (Drew Monti) left and led to the quarter in :26.2 before Rollinlikethunder (Jay Randall) advanced outside to claim the point. However as soon as he crossed over, Hespoisedtopounce A came right back and retook command. After hitting the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:23.2, Rollinlikethunder tipped out from the pocket and came right at the leader in the last turn. Hespoisedtopounce A still had the lead but Rollinlikethunder kept chipping away. Just before the wire Rollinlikethunder took the lead by a length over a fast-closing Mansome (Kevin Switzer Jr.), Hespoisedtopounce A and Points North (Brett Beckwith) and won in a seasonal best time of 1:50.1.
It was the third win of the year for Rollinlikethunder ($6.20) who is owned by Rick Cortese and Donald Hawk. Jimmy Nickerson, who had two wins on the card, trains the gelding.
Randall also drove the winner of the $15,000 upper condition secondary feature, Highrthananeagle A.
Leaving from post four, Highrthananeagle A went right to the front and led the entire race by a gapped advantage. He went a quick :26.3, :54.1 and 1:21.1 and headed into the last turn on top by three lengths. Heading down the lane, Higherthananeagle A was all by himself and cruised home on top by 2-¼ lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:50.1.
It was the fourth straight win and sixth overall of the season for Highrthananeagle A ($4.20) and owners Harmon Racing Stable, Lightning Five Racing Stable, Joel Kahan and Diamond Racing Stable. Rob Harmon was the winning trainer.
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(Standardbred Owners of