Matty Athearn keeps his momentum going

Plainville, MA — Harness racing’s newest $10 million dollar man, driver Matty Athearn, kept his momentum going on Thursday (July 4) afternoon at Plainridge Park as he scored a hat trick at the lines, including wins in both featured trots.

In the $17,000 upper-level conditioned trot, Atheran sent Big Al M (Anders Bluestone) to the front in :27.4 and controlled the rest of the mile from there.

After backing down the half to :56.4, Big Al M sped away to three-quarters in :28.2 and opened up a three-length advantage. When they came off the far turn and headed for home, Big Al M trotted away from the pack and crossed the line on top by 6-½ lengths in 1:54.1 to establish a new seasonal mark.

Big Al M ($4.00) is owned and trained by Zachary Vickerson.

BIG AL M REPLAY

In the earlier $15,000 conditioned event for 6-year-olds and under, Athearn and Cruising Tom (Muscle Mass) were parked out past the quarter in pursuit of the front running Facebook Official (Nick Graffam) who was up by two lengths at that station.

Cruising Tom took over the top before the half and opened up a two-length lead of his own by three-quarters. Positions remained unchanged around the turn, but in the stretch, Facebook Official found room at the pegs and started closing the gap of Cruising Tom as they approached the wire. But it would be Cruising Tom who hung on by one-half length to win in 1:55.4.

Cruising Tom ($2.40) is owned by Rick Cortese and Marc Reynolds and is trained by Jimmy Nickerson.

CRUISING TOM REPLAY

Athearn’s third win came behind Just Roxy (1:57, $14.60) and it made him the top driver on the holiday card.

Trainers Gretchen Athearn and Dennis Whittemore each registered two wins on Thursday.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (July 8) with post time at 4 p.m. and the card will feature a $3,005 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 in race six.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts