by Jack Ginnetti

Marllborough, MA — The chase is on at Plainridge Racecourse as the top five drivers are just a whisker apart in the meet’s early stage.

Steve Nason and seven-time track driving champion Jim Hardy each have 15 wins through May 14. Maine invader Dan Deslandes has 14 wins to place third in the standings, while Shane Taggart and veteran Mike Eaton round out the top five.

The meet enters its 16th program on Monday (May 20) with its usual 4 p.m. (EDT) post.

Plaintalk: Congratulations to Mario Martellotta, Sr. who drove Life Of Roddy to his first win of the season May 16. The winner is co-wned and trained by Gregory Brewster…Harness racing lost a big contributer to the sport with the passing of Ernest Winske, faher of Jim Winske, who raced and trained harness horses for nearly 30 years…The New England Harness Writers are joining Scarborough Downs in making a $3,500 contribution to the Boston 1 Fund.