Plainville, MA — Southpaw took a new lifetime record by way of a 1:49.3 win in one of the two $19,000 upper-level conditioned paces that shared top billing on Tuesday (Sept. 22) at Plainridge Park.
Southpaw and driver Jimmy Whittemore got away third as Hunting Zone (Bruce Ranger) reached the quarter in :26.4 before having to fight off Alex Having Fun (Drew Monti) to the half in :53.2. Once Hunting Zone turned that challenge back, he was under attack again by Magnus Victor (Mitchell Cushing), who pulled from second and pushed the three-quarters to 1:20.2.
The top three horses had separated from the pack and maintained their positions around the far turn until Whittemore tipped Southpaw three-wide at the top of the stretch, where he swelled up to pace home clear by 3 lengths.
It was the fifth win of the year for the Massachusetts-bred Southpaw ($4.60), whom Whittemore also owns, trains and bred.
In the earlier split of the featured class, Bettors Donttell turned a first-over move into his sixth victory of the year.
Bettors Donttell (Bruce Ranger) pocketed-up behind Courageous Warrior (Matty Athearn), who set early fractions of :26.2 and :55 to the half. At that station, Bettors Donttell made his move and drew alongside Courageous Warrior at three-quarters. The two paced stride for stride around the last turn and into deep stretch before Bettors Donttell forged ahead by a length and won in 1:50.3.
Bettors Donttell ($16.80) is owned by Winters Racing Stable and trained by Cory Stratton.
Matty Athearn and Mitchell Cushing both put on a driving clinic on Tuesday, posting matching grand slams during the afternoon.
Athearn won with Lyons Shining (1:53, $14.60), Ladysassin (1:52.1, $3.60) and Patrickthepiranha (1:52.3, $3.00) in a natural hat trick, along with General Montana N (1:52.1, $6.20).
Athearn also had three second-place finishes and a third out of his nine drives, giving him a one-day UDR of .666.
Cushing won with Beantown Deuce (1:51.3, $2.60), Hot On The Trail (1:54.2, $6.20), Torrid Saint (1:52.3, $11.60) and Set Shot (1:51.3, $11.00).
Cushing also posted a second and a third from his 10 drives, giving him a UDR of .488 for the afternoon.
Racing at Plainridge Park will resume Thursday (Sept. 24) at 2 p.m., and the $3.2 million (est.) Massachusetts Breeders Stakes will start at Plainridge Park on Monday, Sept. 28.
Free full-card past performance programs and replays for every card of racing at Plainridge Park are available at plainridgeparkcasino.com.