Plainville, MA — After not racing since Feb. 8 at Tabcorp Park Menangle in Australia, Paternity Suit A made his North American debut a winning one after going from last to first in the $12,000 Winners-Over Pace at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (July 16).

Paternity Suit A charged off cover to prevail in his U.S. debut on Thursday at Plainridge Park. Tom Melanson photo.

Bettors Fire N (Ron Cushing) took the lead before the quarter and stepped off a quick :26.1 panel while the field lined up single file behind him. At the half, JK Will Power (Mitchell Cushing) pulled first-over and started his march towards the leader with Beachchip Hanover (Kevin Switzer Jr.) on his back.

Bettors Fire N and JK Will Power battled side-by-side up the backstretch, past three-quarters and into the last turn. It was there that Beachchip Hanover tipped three-deep in pursuit, but Paternity Suit A (Drew Monti) — who had been shuffled to last — tipped four-deep and gained momentum as the race spiraled into the stretch. Monti tapped the wheel disc and Paternity Suit A responded with a furious stretch drive that launched him past the field to win in 1:53.2.

The third win in six starts this year for Paternity Suit A ($9.80) pushed his earnings to $19,776 in 2020. The 7-year-old gelded son of Rock N Roll Heaven is owned by Tony Gruppo and Tim Bojarski, and is trained by Scott Rollins.

Fillies and mares also had the spotlight on Thursday with a pair of conditioned events that saw their winners put in strong efforts.

A $12,000 event for 5-year-olds and younger saw Rockin Ellie (Bruce Ranger) pull from sixth at the three-eighths pole and follow cover until the three-quarters, where she tipped three-deep into the last turn to run down leader Maverick Fiber (John Nason) to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:54.2.

Rockin Ellie ($5.00) is owned by Just Enough LLC and Michael Girouard, who also trains the winner.

The $12,500 Freedom Trail Series event for resident Plainridge distaff pacers went to Life Isa Shortwalk (Shawn Gray), who went wire-to-wire from post seven to win by a nose over Avery Seelster (John Nason) in 1:55.4.

Life Isa Shortwalk ($13.60) is owned and trained by Ed Blash.

Several drivers had multiple wins on Thursday’s card. Drew Campbell registered a driving triple while Nick Graffam, Shawn Gray and Bruce Ranger all visited the winner’s circle twice.

Racing resumes on Friday (July 17) at Plainridge Park with a 12-race card that features a $12,000 Winners-Over Trot scheduled to go in race five. Post time for the first race is 4 p.m.