Plainville, MA — After going four-for-four at Vernon Downs since late May, Makorori N came to Massachusetts and won his fifth straight race after taking the featured $17,000 conditioned pace at Plainridge Park on Thursday (July 16).
Makorori N (Shawn Gray) got away fifth and 12-1/2 lengths behind a speed battle between Sunsational (Bruce Ranger) and Lyons Honeymonster (Brad Irvine), who went toe to toe to the quarter in :26. Lyons Honeymonster finally relented to the pocket and Sunsational then led the pack to the half in :55.2 and three-quarters in 1:23.
Heading to five-eighths, an outer flow formed with Gracies Tough Guy (Kevin Switzer Jr.) pulling first ahead of Makorori N, who was now only 3 lengths behind the leader. At three-quarters, Lyons Honeymonster pulled the pocket and stalled in front of Gracies Tough Guy, forcing Makorori N three-deep. Then at the top of the lane, Makorori N ran down Sunsational while holding off the fast-closing Dead Mans Chain (Brett Beckwith) to win by a head in 1:52.1 and establish a new lifetime mark.
Makorori N ($5.20) is owned by Paul O’Neil and trained by Alicia Gray…