A pair of $15,000 conditioned events for six-year-old and under pacers topped the bill at Plainridge Park on Thursday and both victors were no strangers to the winner’s circle.
In the male division, General Ward (Jim Hardy) took a quick lead off the gate and would not relinquish it the rest of the way. With Touch Of Character (Steve Wilson) parked outside, General Ward got to the quarter in a brisk :26.2 and the half in :54.1. Moving past the five-eighths General Ward turned back that challenge, but at the three-quarter pole horses were fanning three and four wide going into the last turn. By the top of the stretch General Ward continued to lead but Level Up (Shawn Gray) was making up ground fast. But as they paced to the wire General Ward refused to lose and hung on by a neck to win in 1:51.3.
There were two $15,000 feature races for six-year-old and younger pacers on Thursday afternoon at Plainridge Park one for fillies and mares and one for horses and geldings and both events were won by horses driven by Kevin Switzer, Jr. who steered those winners to a stellar performances despite a steady day-long rain.
The girls hit the track first and Chasethecloudsaway turned in a career-best effort.
Leaving from post four, Switzer fired off the gate with Chasethecloudsaway and dictated every fraction. After getting to the quarter in :27.1, Shes A Fireball (Ron Cushing) came rolling up the outside with the heavy favourite Rightfully Mine (Shawn Gray) on her back. As they motored past the half, Rightfully Mine tipped three deep around Shes A Fireball and drew alongside the leader.
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On Wednesday (June 2), Camwood ($4.80) reclaimed the title as the best pacer on the grounds of Monticello Raceway by virtue of his win in the $6,700 Open Pace.
Starting from the rail and making his Monticello Raceway debut, Brocks Fortune (Brett MacDonald) was fastest off the gate and took the field to the quarter pole in :27.3. First to move approaching the half and starting the outer flow was Cool Blues Man (Cory Stratton), followed by last week’s Open winner, Lacarmeliana. Brocks Fortune led past the half in :57.2. Down the backside, Camwood started his move with Brocks Fortune still showing the way, taking the field to the three-quarters in 1:26.1. At the top of the stretch, pacesetter Brocks Fortune began to tire slightly as Bruce Aldrich and Camwood overtook him to score by a head in 1:55.4. Finishing second was Cool Blues Man, and Brocks Fortune hung on for third.
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