by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — After 15 days of racing Jim Hardy is still the one to catch among the members of the driving colony at Plainridge.

Hardy’s 21 wins leads his closest rivals, Steve Nason (17) and Mike Eaton (13).

But the season has a long way to go now that Monday’s Memorial Day nine-race card signals the start of summer. The meet runs through December 7 with racing Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with a 4 p.m. post until September 3 when post time changes to 1 p.m..

Track officials are hoping for another sunny weather holiday crowd to get the summer season off to a good start.

Maine’s Wallace Watson holds a narrow lead wwith eight training wins with Louis Ferriero, Timmie Griffin, Mark Harris, Hardy, John Nason and John Sears just hoof beats away.