Rock Diamonds N scores in career best at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — For the second straight start, Rock Diamonds N dominated the best of the bunch at Plainridge Park by winning the $14,000 Winners Over Handicap on Monday afternoon (Aug. 5).

Rock Diamonds N sprinted to a new lifetime mark of 1:50. Tom Melanson photo.

Despite being handicapped with the outside post seven, driver Ron Cushing left and put Rock Diamonds N on the lead and did not look back from there. After sprinting quarters of :26.2, :54.4 and 1:22.1 with little opposition, Rock Diamonds N turned for home and sprinted to a new lifetime mark of 1:50, winning by two lengths. The time was also just two-fifths of a second off the track record for older pacing geldings.

It was the second win in a row and seventh of the year for Rock Diamonds N ($3.00) and it pushed his earnings to $62,485 for owners Kevin Sywyk, his driver Cushing and Frank Ranaldi. Heidi Gibbs is the trainer.

The secondary feature was a $12,000 upper-conditioned pace that saw Captain Deo put a circle around his opposition in the second fastest mile of the day.

Captain Deo (Mitchell Cushing) also went to the front and got things his own way. After seating the pesky Saratoga invader Saulsbrook Deputy (Jay Randall) in :26.2, Captain Deo proceeded to post a comfortable half of :55 before speeding up the backstretch in :27.4 prompted by Sailor Jerry (Nick Graffam) who was on the outside. By the head of the stretch Captain Deo had opened up a two length advantage and cruised home to a 1:51.2 victory.

Captain Deo ($2.40) has now made $84,860 on the strength of six 2019 wins for owner Bill Hartt. Lance Hudson trains the winner.

Drew Campbell led all drivers on Monday scoring a grand slam during the card followed by Mitchell Cushing who had a hat trick of his own.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Aug. 8) with post time at 4 p.m.

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