Plainville, MA — Ponda Rocky had the “eye of the tiger” at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (May 5) after winning the $17,000 featured trot as the heavily-backed favorite.
Nick Graffam sent Ponda Rocky to the front and set up shop on the point in short order. With Pantofolaio (driven by Mitchell Cushing) sitting the pocket, Ponda Rocky stepped off quarters of :28, :57.4 and 1:26 as he was pulling away from the field entering the final bend.
Ponda Rocky was up by 5 lengths when he entered the stretch, and Graffam had him wrapped-up as he headed for home. Ponda Rocky cruised to the line ahead of the late-closing Cash Out Express (Jay Randall) and Pantafolaio to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2.
It was the first win of the year for Ponda Rocky ($3.80), who is owned by his trainer, Mark Eaton, in partnership with Robert Griffin.
Earlier, in the $13,000 trot for 4-year-olds and under, Get Outa My Lane (Mike Oosting) left from post 1 and led to the half in 1:00.1. There, Fairytale Moni (Nick Graffam) mounted a challenge from the outside and pressured the leader to three-quarters. Get Outa My Lane was unfazed by the predator and entered the last turn on top by a length. When she hit the stretch, Get Outa My Lane opened up by 2 lengths and won in 1:57.1.
Get Outa My Lane ($13.60) is owned by K R Breeding and trained by Domenico Cecere.
Drivers Matty Athearn, Nick Graffam and Drew Monti and trainer Kathleen Brewer all scored two wins during the afternoon.
Racing at Plainridge Park resumes on Thursday (May 7) at 4 p.m.; there will be a $3,484 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 in the sixth race.
Free full-card past performance programs and race replays for every live card of racing at Plainridge Park are available at plainridgeparkcasino.com.