by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — How sweet it is! That’s the feeling that perhaps came over Orrin Phipps when he bested leading Plainridge Racecourse drivers Bruce Ranger and Winston Campbell in a blanket winning ninth race finish on Tuesday.

Harness racing’s “Mr. Incredible” who turns 83 in two months, won for the second time this season at Plainridge with his trotter Chooch. A week ago he scored with Shiny Dolly.

He trailed Fun Message (Ranger) and One On One (Campbell) from the third spot for most of the mile, but made his move at the three-quarter mile marker and came roaring down the stretch to best his foes. All three trotters were clocked in 1:59¹.

Phipps’ thrilling finish in the $4,500 trot for non-winners of $5,000 per start lit up the toteboard. Sent off at odds of 13-1, Cooch paid $29.00, $16.40, and $5.60. The 1-8 exacta paid $331.80, the trifecta returned $1,861.40, and the superfecta (1-8-7-all) paid $1,373.80.

Phipps was the recipient of the first ‘Iron Man’ award presented in 2000 by the New England Harness Writers. And Tuesday’s thrilling victory over two of harness racing’s quality drivers ranks among his most memorable feats in a career that spans half a century.