Southpaw storms to lifetime best in 1:49.3

Plainville, MA — There were two $19,000 upper-level conditioned paces featured on the harness racing card at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Sept. 22) afternoon and one of them was record-breaking for the winner, Southpaw, who took a new lifetime record in victory. 

Southpaw (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 that challenge was turned back, Hunting Zone 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 three lengths and win in 1:49.3, to claim his new mark.

SOUTHPAW REPLAY

It was the fifth win of the year for the Massachusetts-bred Southpaw ($4.60), who is owned, bred and trained by his driver, Jimmy Whittemore.

Earlier, in the first split of this 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, as each posted a grand slam during the afternoon.

Athearn won with Lyons Shining (1:53, $14.60), Ladysassin (1:52.1, $3.60), 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 seconds 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 will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Sept. 24) at 2 p.m.

Just a reminder, the $3.2 million (est.) Massachusetts Breeder Stakes will start at Plainridge Park on Monday, September 28.

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.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts