by Robert Lieberman

Norwood, MA — It was a rainy, dark and dreary Friday afternoon (Nov. 26) at Plainridge Racecourse, but for Todd O’Dea and Jim Hardy there was nothing dark and dreary about it.

Todd O’Dea was able to carve out three winners over the sloppy course. He started the program off by winning the first race aboard Poirot ($7.60) for owner/trainer Jennifer Allen in a time of 2:01.2. The second winner came aboard Best Class ($15.00) in the fifth race for owners Steven Grammont and Jason Martin. O’Dea trains the horse who scored in a time of 2:01. The third winner came in the seventh race aboard La Suvera ($14.40) for owner/trainer Shawn Answeeney in a time of 2:01.2.

Jim Hardy picked up his fifth Plainridge driving title.

The rest of the show belonged to the four-time driving champion Jim Hardy, who was about to garner his fifth driving title at Plainridge Racecourse with 147 wins, beating out runner-up John Kakaley. Hardy also earned the most money as the leading driver with a total of $352,706. It doesn’t end there because he led all trainers with 37 wins and amassed the most earned money with $104,566.

Owner/trainer Jennifer Allen was able to pocket the leader’s share of earnings with $74,216, followed by runner-up Joel Wheeler. Mike Eaton was able to bag the most owners’ wins, edging out Allen 27-25.

The season has now come to a close for this year, but the dates for next year are already carved in stone with the opening day set for Monday, April 4, 2011, with a post time of 4 p.m. through August 31. On September 1, post time will be at 1 p.m. The schedule includes 100 days of racing.