by Paul Verrette, for Plainridge Racecourse

Plainville, MA — Drew Campbell, currently atop the driving standings at Plainridge Racecourse, added to his lead on Thursday when he won four races, including the final three of the ten race program.

Alan Mattison Photo

Drew Campbell piloted Snoopy N Red Baron to a victory on Thursday.

Ironically, Campbell was almost a no show after encountering traffic difficulties on the interstate. He notched his initial victory of the afternoon with Emile Shaw’s E J’s Pride in the sixth race. Campbell then won races eight through ten with Snoopy N Red Baron, Sun Up Sun Down and Sharp Jet, respectively. The 1:59.3 victory by E J’s Pride and Snoopy N Red Baron’s 1:57 score each established seasonal marks, while Sharp Jet’s 1:57.3 score was a lifetime best.

Trainer Marybeth Beauregard scored a natural hat track of her own. The horses that Campbell steered to victories in the final three races are all trained by Beauregard, who extended her lead in the Plainridge training standings. The back-to-back victories for Sun Up Sun Down and Sharp Jet in the final two races were also a double for owners Ken Clairmont and Lucia Les.

In the weekly event for members of the New England Amateur Driving Club, Billy Abdelnour took command on the backstretch and guided Tricon Hanover to a 1:57.2 victory. It was the second win of the 2005 season in NEAHDC competition for Abdelnour. Roy Dinges was second best with No Blarney, while Dawn Anderson rallied Mystical Missy from well of the pace to grab the show spot.

Racing resumes at Plainridge on Monday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. The 11 race program is highlighted by the second leg of the Winston Campbell Memorial, and also features an Open Pace, an Open Trot and a $20,000 claiming event.