by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts

Plainville, MA — Things looked bleak as 1-5 favorite Mambo Lindy got away last and was 10 lengths from the leader, but that deficit turned out to be child’s play as he easily went from worst to first in the $12,000 trotting feature at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (May 11).

Tom Melanson photo

Mambo Lindy erases a 10-length deficit to capture the trotting feature at Plainridge Park on Thursday evening.

Mistress Valentine (Mark Eaton) got off the wings well and opened an immediate three-length lead. The mare then held court as she was unchallenged through three-quarters of a mile, setting snappy fractional splits of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:24.4.

During that time, Mambo Lindy (Greg Merton) moved from seventh to fifth to second and was advancing on the leader with every stride. As the two separated from the field off the turn and down the lane, Mambo Lindy drew alongside Mistress Valentine and then continued to motor on by. Merton became a mere passenger as Mambo Lindy pulled away and won wrapped up in 1:54.4.

It was the first win in two 2017 starts for Mambo Lindy ($2.60) and his 15th victory in 27 tries lifetime. The 6-year-old altered son of Donato Hanover, who currently holds the Plainridge Park track record of 1:54 for 4-year-old trotting geldings, is owned by Greathorse of Hampden, Masschusetts and is trained by Frank Antonacci.

In the $8,500 co-featured trot, I’ll Have Another ($2.20) won his third consecutive race at The Ridge, stopping the clock in 1:57.3 with Kevin Switzer Jr. in the bike. The 4-year-old Northern Kid horse is owned by Adam Friedland of Brooklyn, NY and is trained by Dan Gill.

Greg Merton had a driving triple on the card while Todd O’Dea scored a double and trained both of those winners. Trainer Frank Antonacci also sent two pupils to the winner’s enclosure for pictures.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday (May 12) with first race post time set for 4 p.m.