Plainridge Park leading trainer Monique Cohen sent out four winners on Thursday and two of them captured both $12,000 feature races on the afternoon’s card.
In the top conditioned pace for fillies and mares, Beautiful Lady (Greg Merton) floated outside fifth passed the eighth pole as everyone seated off the gate. Then Merton hurried her to the front and dictated the pace from there. Getting to the half in :55.2 and three-quarters in 1:23.4 with only a mild bid from Hilaria (Nick Graffam), Beautiful Lady dropped her head, flagged her tail and paced away down the lane to win by two-lengths in 1:52.2.
It was the fifth tally of the year for Beautiful Lady ($3.40) who is owned by Lester Gelardi, Jr. and Anthony Passafaro.
Then in the featured conditioned trotting event, Georgina Corner (Steve Nason) took to the pylons as horses argued for the lead three-deep to the quarter and then three-deep once again from the half to the three-quarters, before finding room up the pylons half-way down the stretch and trotting away from the field to win by two-lengths in 1:57.
It was the first win of the year for Georgina Corner ($21.80) who is owned by Steven Finkelstein.
Cohen also added wins to her statistics from Someplace Special (1:53.2, $2.60) and Fire N diamonds (1:54.3, $19.80).
Greg Merton extended his already insurmountable dash win lead at The Ridge by five as he scored with Sgt Molly Pitcher (1:53.1, $3.40), Someplace Special, Beautiful Lady, Carolina Hurricane (1:54.3, $4.40) and Coco Lindy (1:56.4, $2.60).
Cohen now leads all trainers at the meet with 45 wins and Merton has amassed 167 wins so far; more than double that of his nearest competitor.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)