Apple Fritter enjoyed a garden spot tour of Plainridge Park on his way to a second straight victory in the featured $24,306 conditioned trot on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Mitchell Cushing got him away in the pocket behind Castel Lindy (Bruce Ranger), who was battling the parked-out Sangria Girl (Drew Campbell) for the lead through the quarter in :27.1 and to the half in :56.2. Sangria Girl finally tired, but then Swan Faith (Drew Monti) came from behind and was right at Castel Lindy’s throat latch past three-quarters in 1:25.3 as Apple Fritter continued to draft behind the action. Swan Faith’s assault lasted until midway around the last turn, where she faded and gave Apple Fritter a clear path towards the well-worn leader. When they entered the lane, Apple Fritter drew alongside Castel Lindy, and the two trotted in tandem to the wire where Apple Fritter got up by a head and won in 1:55.4. Moolah Hanover (Nick Graffam) was third.
Apple Fritter ($4.20) improved to four-for-14 on the season for owners Ray Lasky and Cushing, who also trains the winner. The four-year-old son of Pilot Discretion-Danish Doll has won six times and earned $122,666 in 44 lifetime starts. He was one of three driving wins for Cushing on the card.
Brett Beckwith also had a hat trick at the lines on Tuesday, including huge payoffs with Alamo Mission ($35) and Sister Swell ($32.30).
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. with a $2,299 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in Race 6.
(Plainridge Park)