Plainville, MA – Only weeks removed from his epic track record-tying performance in the prestigious Gold Cup and Saucer at Red Shores Racetrack in Prince Edward Island, Fifth And Five shipped into Massachusetts and tied the track record for a 4-year-old pacing horse in the $24,000 Open Handicap pace at Plainridge Park on Friday (Oct. 2). The new track record co-holder was only one of three winners during the afternoon for the formidable team of owner Pollock Racing and trainer Enrico Robinson.
Fifth And Five (Jay Randall) got away fourth as Still Rollin N (Matty Athearn) led to the half in quick quarters of :25.4 and :54.2. As they moved onto the backstretch, Fifth And Five pulled first-over and advanced to second at three-quarters, before pushing ahead to the lead in the last turn. But as soon as he put away Still Rollin N, So Rock N Roll (Kevin Switzer Jr.), Southpaw (Jimmy Whittemore) and Jackson Cooper (Nick Graffam) were towering up to make late pushes. All three closed in on the leader, but Fifth And Five was the best on this day and won by a neck in 1:49.1, tying his lifetime mark as well as the track record.
Fifth And Five returned ($8.40).
Pollock and Robinson also won the $23,000 Open Handicap trot with Outside The Fire (Nick Graffam), who out-battled Kazio DK (Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Memorynimagination (Matty Athearn) for the lead at the quarter in :26.3. And then once on top, Outside The Fire led the rest of the way. He opened up a two-length lead at three-quarters and maintained a comfortable advantage at the top of the stretch after sparring with Stormont Divide (Bruce Ranger) around the last turn. Then Pepper Wow (Mitchell Cushing) made a huge rush late to make it interesting, however Outside The Fire hung on by one-quarter length and won in 1:53.2.
Outside The Fire ($10.80) went over the half-million dollar mark in lifetime earnings with the win, now showing $501,932 on his card.
Pollock and Robinson closed out their hat trick with Hunting Zone (Bruce Ranger – 1:50, $3.20) who ran off the screen in the $16,000 upper-level conditioned pace.
There was also a $23,000 fillies and mares Open Handicap that was won by Acushla Machree N (Mitchell Cushing), who put in another monster mile. After leaving fast, Acushla Machree N set quarters of :25.4, :54.1 and 1:21.2, with the closest mare four lengths behind her at that point. From there, Acushla Machree N skated around the last turn and bolted down the lane effortlessly to win by 2-¾ lengths in 1:49.4.
It was the seventh win of the year for the 1-9 Acushla Machree N ($2.20), who is owned by Ray Campbell Jr. and trained by Gretchen Athearn.
Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (Oct. 5) at 2 p.m.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Plainridge Park can always be downloaded at their website (plainridgeparkcasino.com) under the “Racing” tab. You can also watch all the race replays on that same page.