Plainville, MA — Benefiting from a perfect trip, The Unit struck late to win the featured $13,000 conditioned pace at Plainridge Park on Friday (June 26) afternoon.
The heavily favored Luca Bay (Jimmy Hardy) took a contested lead from The Unit (Matty Athearn) as the pair passed the quarter in :28.1. Once in front, Luca Bay stepped to the half in :58.1 and three-quarters in 1:26.2, while The Unit laid in wait entering the far turn. That’s where Athearn tipped The Unit and drew alongside Luca Bay, setting up a two-horse sprint to the wire. Luca Bay and The Unit paced in unison around the far turn, into the stretch and all the way down to the line where The Unit made his way to the front by a quarter length and won in 1:54.3.
It was the first win of the year for The Unit ($5.00), who is owned by David George and trained by Paul McHugh.
Driver Matty Athearn ended the day with two wins, along with Nick Graffam and Kevin Switzer Jr. Nathan Kirker was the top trainer scoring two wins of his own.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (June 29) 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.