Trainer notches 600th career win

Plainville, MA — Harness racing trainer Bob Marston hit a milestone at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (April 18) when stable newcomer Top Down (Archangel) and driver Kevin Switzer Jr. turned a first-over move into the 600th training win of Marston’s career.

Marston started training in 2003 and along with his new win total, has also registered 542 seconds and 552 thirds while amassing in excess of $2.7 million in purses during that time. The Maine native who splits starts between his home state and Massachusetts, was the tenth leading dash-win trainer at Plainridge last year. He currently sits in third place for wins at The Ridge with only four race dates completed in the 2023 meet. Top Down ($5.20) is owned by Michael Antosca.

TOP DOWN REPLAY

The featured race of the day was a $17,500 trot that saw a full field of 4 and 5-year-olds go postward. When the dust settled, Timantix (E L Titan) won his first race of the year and took a new lifetime mark in the process.

Stamped By Lindy (Bruce Ranger) grabbed the early lead but yielded to Skyway Professor (John Beckwith) before the half. As they passed that station in :57.3, Lindy On Stage (Wally Watson) pulled first-over from third and Timantix (Drew Monti) followed right on his back. Lindy On Stage struck the front before three-quarters and Timantix advanced to second outside while trotting alongside the leader in the last turn.

At the top of the stretch, Timantix took the lead and extended it to two-lengths at the beam where he set his personal best time of 1:57.

Timantix ($7.00) is owned by Melissa Butcher and is trained by Matthew Butcher Jr.

TIMANTIX REPLAY

Drew Monti ended the day with a driving double.

The $16,000 secondary trotting feature was an Open III for older contestants. In that race, Pass Key (Cantab Hall) and driver Jim Hardy led at every station with splits of :28.2, :59 and 1:28 before turning for home and holding off a strong challenge from Make It A Double (Kevin Switzer Jr.) to win in 1:57.2.

Pass Key ($6.60) is owned by David Zuckerman and is trained by Jolene Andrews.

It was the second win of the day for both Hardy and Andrews.

PASS KEY REPLAY

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday (April 20) at 4 p.m. and that card will feature a hefty $5,914 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