by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — The finals of three series, which carried total purses of $20,000, were contested on Monday (October 8) before a good Columbus Day crowd at Plainridge Racecourse.

Driver Kevin Switzer, Jr. drove Forest Elbow A to his 10th win of the season in winning the $5,000 Patriot Final. Switzer was far back at the start in the field of nine, but gained the front at the top of the stretch and finished 1-1/2 lengths in front of Tropic Cavalier. The mile went in 1:57.2.

Peripheral Vision at 15-1 upset the field in the $7,500 Bill Doyle Memorial. Driver John Beckwith took the lead at the start and was never headed in covering the mile test in 1:58.

The Impossible Dream final drew a field of nine and driver Brian Allen drove Big Underdog to another impressive score in the $7,500 final in a slick 1:55.4. Owned by Gary Levine of North Bennington, Vt., the win pushed Big Dog’s season’s earnings over the $20,000 mark.

Jim Hardy had two winners on Monday’s card to take a commanding lead in his quest for a second driving title at Plainridge. Hardy’s overall totals are 102-71-76 for a UDR of .349 in 474 drives.

Racing continues at Plainridge with a 1:00 p.m. post on Tuesday and Thursday.