Plainville, MA — Winding Hill had won three straight top class trots at Plainridge Park before faltering from post seven last week. But the drought was short, as the venerable 10-year-old gelding got back to his winning ways in the $15,000 Winners Over Handicap Trot at Plainridge on Friday afternoon (July 16).

Winding Hill (foreground) lifted off cover to capture Plainridge Park’s featured trot on Friday. Tom Melanson photo.

Winding Hill (Drew Monti) was snatched off the gate and settled in fifth while stablemate Only Passing Through (Nick Graffam) took over. Under his direction, the single-file six-pack sauntered to the half in :57.3. Chav Hanover (Bruce Ranger) was first to pull, and Winding Hill was obliged to follow as the group made their way up the backstretch.

The top four horses broke away from the rest around the far turn. With Only Passing Through still on the point, Monti tipped Winding Hill three-deep at the head of the lane — and he was full of trot. Chav Hanover overtook Only Passing Through in mid-stretch, but Winding Hill went by him at the line with a stiff brush to win by a neck in 1:55.

Along with his 38th career victory, Winding Hill ($10.80) took a new seasonal mark for himself and the winner’s share of the purse for his owner Diane Whittemore. Marissa Chadbourne trains the winner.

A pair of $12,500 conditioned trots were featured on the undercard.

The first went to Swipe Right (Shawn Gray, $8.40), who followed Dazzling Lindy (Bruce Ranger) for the better part of the mile before overtaking the leader in the stretch, where he opened up a three-length gap and registered a lifetime best win timed in 1:55.4 for owner Kelly Hastings and is trained by Jaymes McAssey.

The second was won by Blue Knight ($4.80) and trainer-driver Ivan Davies, who took control of the race at the three-eighths from Mr Muscle (Matty Athearn) and then cruised the rest of the way. After laying down identical snappy middle quarters of :28.4, Blue Knight turned for home and trotted away to a 3-3/4 length win in 1:55.3 for owner Richard Mason

Bruce Ranger was the top driver Friday, winning three races.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (July 19) with post time at 4 p.m.