Mach Doro A lays over Plainridge rivals
May 20, 2019,Plainville, MA — On Monday afternoon (May 20), Mach Doro A asserted his dominance for the second week in a row and overpowered a full field of nine top pacers as he took the $16,000 Open Handicap Pace at Plainridge Park.
Avatartist (Mark Eaton) left from post nine and seated the whole field as he sped to the quarter in :25.4 over a sloppy track. As the race passed in front of the stands, J JS Delivery (Shawn Gray) pulled first-over and brought Bet You (Heath Campbell) and Mach Doro A (Ron Cushing) with him in the outer flow. The race hit the half in :55 and J JS Delivery drew closer to Avatartist, but not fast enough for Mach Doro A. Cushing tipped that one three-deep up the backside and blew past the field.
By the three-quarter pole, Mach Doro A had cleared in 1:23.1, and that marked the beginning of the end of the race. As he rounded the turn, he started pulling away with the rest of the field double-decked behind him. Mach Doro A strode out to an unprompted seven-length lead at the finish, winning in 1:52.
The time was the second consecutive lifetime mark for Mach Doro A.
Now a winner of 33 out of 83 races and $296,246 lifetime, the 8-year-old Mach Doro A is also two-for-two at Plainridge Park this year for owners Kevin Sywyk, Ron Cushing and Frank Ranaldi. Heidi Gibbs is the trainer.
In the co-featured $14,000 conditioned pace, Passport To Art (Shawn Gray) got a perfect pocket trip behind Pokerface Bluechip (Mitchell Cushing) before tipping in the last turn to launch a strong stretch drive and wear down the leader in 1:51.4, a new lifetime mark. Passport To Art ($12.20) is owned by Elizabeth and Dyce Spaluto and is trained by Alicia Gray.
Shawn Gray had a huge day, winning five races on the card. Besides Passport To Art, Gray also scored with Queen For Life (1:59.2, $5.00), Jake G’s Champion (1:57.3, $19.00), Chip Walther (1:52.3, $9.40) and Sir Pugsley (1:51.4, $3.00). With that performance, Gray now has a commanding lead in the dash win race for the meet, topping Mitchel Cushing by 12; 42-30.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (May 23) at 4 p.m. With no winners in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in races six or nine on Monday, there is a carryover pool of $1,995.95 for that same bet in race six on Thursday.