Plainville, MA — The two top groups of Plainridge Park trotters competed on Monday (August 19) and both races produced impressive times.

In the $25,000 Open, Vintage Cheddar N (Mitchell Cushing) finished sixth while Torrid Saint A (Matty Athearn) and Gandolf The Black (Drew Monti) took turns at the front. After finally settling in the lead, Gandolf The Black led the group in :54.3 to the halfway point, where an outside current formed with Naturally Gifted A (Bruce Ranger) leading Vintage Cheddar N as they passed the three-quarter mark in 1:21.2. Halfway through the final turn, Vintage Cheddar N tipped three-wide to the outside and joined Torrid Saint A at the top of the homestretch, and both chased Gandolf The Black. But Vintage Cheddar N made short work of the pair, pulling away by 1-3/4 lengths in his personal best time of 1:50.

It was the third win of the year for Vintage Cheddar N ($21.20), owned by S&K Misfit Stable, John Ball and VIP Internet Stable. Amanda Kelley trains the winner.

Then in the second $22,000 Advanced Race, Alex Having Fun (Brett Beckwith) ran the mile of his life after coming home first from fourth at five-eighths to track leader Slip The Hundy N (Jay Randall) and take the lead as they passed three-quarters in 1:22. From there, Alex Having Fun followed on from a line drive from Beckwith and stormed home first by four lengths to win in 1:49.3 and set a new career standard.

The winning time was only one fifth of a second under the course record for aged geldings in the pace.

It was the fifth win of the year for Alex Having Fun ($3.20), owned and trained by Kimberly Vafiades. It was one of two wins for Vafiades on the card.

In addition, The Ridge hosted three other 1.25-mile marathon races, won by Plus One (2:23.4, $5.60), Rooster Bennett (2:23.2, $3.60) and Sportsnest (2:24.3, $59.00).

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. had a Grand Slam on Monday and led all other drivers.

Live racing will continue on Tuesday (August 20) at Plainridge Park with a start time of 4 p.m.