by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — All season long driver-trainer John Kakaley gave it all he had in his quest to dethrone Jim Hardy from a record setting sixth driving championship at Plainridge Racecourse.

With five race dates left Kakaley trails Hardy by some 20 wins and this year’s chase was reminiscent of 2010. Even with his three wins on Dec. 6, Kakaley finds himself still giving chase with 86 wins.

Hardy, who lives a stone’s thrown from the track in North Attleboro, has 107 wins and a sparkling .349 UDR. He has also amassed $323,597 in purse earnings. The record holder for most starts at Plainridge also did well when he raced at Scarborough Downs between meet race days.

The top trainer’s title at the ‘Ridge is up for grabs, but Linda Kakaley moved a little closer to claiming that title for the 80-day meeting with two wins on Dec. 6, giving husband John and Linda bragging rights on Tuesday’s program. Linda sports a training mark of just under .300 and has sent 37 horses to the winner’s circle.

With five days of racing left she is trying to hold off Don Guidette Jr. (35), Louis Ferriero (33) and Hardy (32).

Mention Plainridge racing and Hardy comes to mind. Mention his chief competitor and Kakaley comes to mind. But lurking in the background are the likes of John Hogan, Mike Eaton and Steven Nason.