Plainville, MA — The records continue to fall over the lightning-fast track at Plainridge Park this year and the latest one to drop made So Rock N Roll the all-time fastest Massachusetts-bred pacer ever after he won the featured $23,000 upper-level conditioned pace on Monday (Aug. 3).
Kevin Switzer Jr. got away third with So Rock N Roll as Lifes A Puzzle (Bruce Ranger) posted scorching fractions of :26, :53 and 1:19.3 to three-quarters, with Confederate Star N (Matty Athearn) following contently on Ranger’s helmet in the two-horse breakaway.
When the race made its way through the final turn, Athearn pulled Confederate Star N and drew alongside Lifes A Puzzle. But So Rock N Roll had also reeled in the top pair in that turn and was only 1-½ lengths off as they entered the stretch. When the field straightened for home, So Rock N Roll was flying, and went right by Confederate Star N and Lifes A Puzzle to by 1-¾ lengths in 1:48.2.
The time was a new lifetime mark for the winner, tied the track record for aged pacing geldings and made So Rock N Roll the all-time fastest pacer ever bred in Massachusetts.
It was the 32nd career win for So Rock N Roll ($7.40), who is owned by Leighton Property and trained by Benson Merrill.
Later in the secondary featured $20,000 conditioned pace, Kill A Dragon scored his fourth win in a row in a major upset on the strength of a late stretch drive.
Brett Beckwith sent Kill A Dragon to the front and got to the quarter in :27 flat. But just as he passed that station, Rockin On Venus (Bruce Ranger) came rolling up the outside to take over the lead and then reached the half in :56.
As they made their way up the backstretch, Alex Having Fun (Drew Monti) pulled first-over and made his way to the front in the breeze at three-quarters in 1:23.2, but couldn’t cross-over as Rockin On Venus continued to battle. This left Kill A Dragon locked-in third at this point. Then coming out of the turn, Alex Having Fun was finally the clear leader, but Kill A Dragon found room at the pegs and blasted through to the line, on top by one-quarter length in 1:51.4 at 16-1.
Kill A Dragon ($35.40) is owned by Di Stefano and Son Stable and trained by John Di Stefano.
Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers on Monday with three wins while 11 different trainers won one race apiece.
Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Aug 4) at 4 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.