by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — Slim Down showed his grit and stamina in Monday’s (September 17) $6,000 featured trot race at Plainridge Racecourse, wiring the field from post nine to post an impressive win for driver/trainer/co-owner Jim Hardy in 1:57.3.

Greg Bowden, driving Futile Quest, chased the winner in the homestretch but finished just a neck back, while Always On Guard, with Mike Eaton up, was third.

The win upped Slim Down’s 2007 purse earnings to $63,820 and marked his ninth win in 18 starts this season, with 15 “in the money” finishes.

Slim Down’s connections will be honored with a recognition award by the New England Harness Writers Chapter at their upcoming October 12 Hall of Fame Awards Program at Scarborough Downs.

Monday’s win over such trotters as Snap Dancer, winner of the $50,000 Joseph Ricci Memorial Trot at Scarborough Downs, and Futile Quest, a winner in a $20,000 Invitational race on Beckwith Day, makes Slim Down a strong contender for Trotter of the Year honors in New England.

Hardy’s prized trotter lost by a head to Ambro Barrister in the $50,000 Joseph Carney Memorial Trot at Rockingham Park.

Hardy also had two other winners on the day. He drove Lucky MC to a win in the sixth race (1:56.4) and Amazing Clyde in the seventh.

Hardy’s three wins upped his lead in the Plainridge driver standings to more than 20 over Mike Eaton, and ran his overall driving totals to 89-62-67 in 421 starts for a UDR of .339.

Driver/trainer/owner Elmer Smith, a 50-year veteran of the sport in the Foxboro-Plainridge area, also had two winning drives on Monday’s card.

Racing continues on Tuesday and Thursday at Plainridge with a 1:00 p.m. post.