Plainville, MA — Harness racing’s newest $10-million man, driver Matty Athearn, kept his momentum going on Thursday (July 4) at Plainridge Park as he scored a hat trick at the lines, including wins in both featured trots.

In the $17,000 upper-level conditioned trot, Athearn sent Big Al M to the front in :27.4 and controlled the rest of the mile from there. After backing down the half to :56.4, Big Al M sped away to three-quarters in :28.2 and opened up a three-length advantage. When they came off the far turn and headed for home, Big Al M trotted away from the pack and crossed the line on top by 6-1/2 lengths in 1:54.1 to establish a new seasonal mark.

Big Al M dominated the Thursday trotting feature at Plainridge Park, giving Matty Athearn one of his three driving wins on the program. Tom Melanson photo.

Big Al M ($4.00) is owned and trained by Zachary Vickerson.

In the earlier $15,000 conditioned event for 6-year-olds and under, Athearn and Cruising Tom were parked out past the quarter in pursuit of Facebook Official (Nick Graffam), who was up by two lengths at that station. Cruising Tom took over the top before the half and opened up a two-length lead of his own by three-quarters. Positions remained unchanged around the turn, but in the stretch, Facebook Official found room at the pegs and started closing the gap of Cruising Tom as they approached the wire. But Cruising Tom hung on by to win by a half length in 1:55.4.

Cruising Tom ($2.40) is owned by Rick Cortese and Marc Reynolds and is trained by Jimmy Nickerson.

Athearn’s third win came behind Just Roxy (1:57, $14.60), and it made him the top driver on the holiday card. Trainers Gretchen Athearn and Dennis Whittemore each registered two wins on Thursday.

Live racing at Plainridge Park will resume on Monday (July 8) with post time at 4 p.m. The card will feature a $3,005 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 in race six.