A pair of $12,000 filly and mare paces headlined the card at Plainridge Park on a rainy Thursday afternoon and both events provided very close finishes.
The first was an aged upper level conditioned race that went to Firstup, who shipped in from Yonkers.
Dontustopbelievn N (Mitchell Cushing) took the lead to the quarter, but Firstup (Shawn Gray) came first up and grabbed the top in front of the stands. The leader paced along unchallenged until the five-eights pole where Thats Incredible (Jay Randall) pulled alongside and traded strides with Firstup to the three-quarters. Gray hit the gas in the last turn and started to get separation between himself and the field. Down the lane, Firstup was under a reclined line drive from Gray and held off a late charge from a fast closing Hilaria (Mike Stevenson) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.1, which was a new seasonal mark.
Firstup ($7.00) is owned by the Jesmeral Stable and is trained by Sheena McElhiney.
The next was a condition event for four-year-olds and under that went to After The Lovin on the strength of a late stretch drive.
After The Lovin (Ron Cushing) left hard from post five and took the lead before Rockin Ellie (Bruce Ranger) became the master of fractions at the quarter. At the conclusion of a second quarter breather, Rockin Ellie was joined by Royalty Again (Drew Monti) who came alongside and prompted a brisk :27.4 third panel. At the top of the stretch Hereslooknatyou N (Mitchell Cushing) joined the fray three deep and After The Lovin came off the pylons to contend. All four were then a length apart across the track before After The Lovin shot through like a bullet and got the nod at the wire in 1:53.4, which was a new lifetime mark.
After The Lovin ($8.20) is owned by Christina Del Pozzo and is trained by Bryant Sears.
Mitchell Cushing and Nick Graffam both posted driving doubles along with trainer Mike Girouard, who also scored two wins.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)