The driver/trainer combination of Mike Stevenson and Ralph Andersen were on top of their game on Thursday as they won both $8,500 condition races at Plainridge Park.
In the $8,500 mid-level condition for pacing fillies and mares, Hilaria took control of the race past the :27 quarter and led the group through the next two panels in :55.2 and 1:23.2. Then she turned for home and rebuffed a challenge from Life Isa Shortwalk (Drew Campbell) in the stretch to win by a half-length margin in 1:52.2.
It was the third win in a row and ninth of the season for Hilaria ($4.00) who is owned by her trainer Andersen.
Then in the $8,500 conditioned trot, Wind And A Prayer rallied from off the pace fourth at the half to overtake the leading Sortie Hanover (Mitchell Cushing) past the three-quarters. Once he cleared the 11-year-old trotted home smartly and won by a length in 1:56.4.
Wind And A Prayer ($13.80) scored his fourth win of 2019 for owner Keith Franklin.
Mitchell Cushing led all drivers on Thursday winning three races on the card. The wins pushed him over the century mark for the meet, now with 101 at the Ridge. That total has him in first place for the dash title ahead of Shawn Gray who sits in second with 91.
The Wicked Hi-5 Pentafecta was finally hit in the ninth race when one lucky person cashed a 20-cent ticket on the combination of 9-6-1-8-2 and walked away with a jackpot payout of $23,852.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)