Mach Doro A lays over Plainridge rivals

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.

Mach Doro A circled three-wide up the backstretch en route to victory in Monday’s top pace at Plainridge. Tom Melanson photo.

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.

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