Plainridge horses fly to new marks

Plainville, MA — There were three $17,500 co-featured harness racing condition paces divided by gender at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (April 17) and all three winners turned in very impressive performances.

The first set of male pacers were dominated by Yonkers Raceway regular DP Realordeal (Real Desire) and driver Bruce Ranger who took the lead past the quarter before really turning up the heat. He cruised to the half in :56.2 and then started to pull away from the field.

DP Realordeal opened up a three-length lead at three-quarters on the strength of a :27 flat clocking and then just kept right on going. After widening his gap to five lengths as they turned for home, DP Realordeal stretched his advantage out to eight at the wire in a win that established a season’s best 1:51.3 clocking.

DP Realordeal ($3.60) is owned by William Hart and is trained by Lance Hudson.

DP REALORDEAL REPLAY

Bruce Ranger ended the day with three driving wins.

The second split for the boys saw Sundance Lou (Sunshine Beach) and driver Matty Athearn get parked in a quick :26.4 before clearing to lead for the remainder of the race. After getting to the half in :55.3 and three-quarters in 1:24, Sundance Lou maintained his measured pace down the stretch and to the wire where he won by 1-¾ lengths in a lifetime best 1:53.3.

It was the third win of the year for Sundance Lou ($5.40) who is owned by Marc Reynolds and trained by Jimmy Nickerson.

SUNDANCE LOU REPLAY

Athern and Nickerson reached the winner’s circle two more times during the proceedings with Howdoyalikeit (1:54.3, $2.80) and Adashious Hanover (1:52.2, $7.40) to score the hat trick for the day.

Then in the division for fillies and mares, Roaring Kitty (Jim Hardy) claimed the front from pylon position and controlled the pace for three-quarters of the mile. After leading uncontested to the half, challenges arose from Smokin Molly (Nick Graffam) and Toodles Hanover (Bruce Ranger) as the leader began to tire around the last turn.

Then from out of nowhere, Mini Rose (American Ideal) and driver Mitch Cushing, who trailed seventh to this point, tipped out from the back of the pack at the top of the lane and unleashed a relentless stretch drive that saw her pass the entire field and win by three-quarters of a length in a new lifetime best 1:52.4.

It was the third straight win for Mini Rose ($20.80) who is owned and trained by Eve Bergeron.

MINI ROSE REPLAY

Driver Bruce Ranger also had a triple on Monday.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (April 18) at 4 p.m. and that card will feature a hefty $5,388 carryover in the Jackpot Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts