Plainridge Racecourse Race 5

1609M

Stake: $31,913

VIRTUAL HORIZON (1) was far from disgraced at his latest appearance over 1609m at this track, beaten just 1.5 metres into fourth. A nice draw on the front line should ensure a cosy run. Leading hope if anywhere near his best. NATURALLY GIFTED (3) ran seventh last start at this track over 1609m, beaten 18 metres. Expect him to pose a serious challenge. SO ROCK N' ROLL (6) is back from a spell and is a winner at this stage of the prep in the past. Best form measures up favourably so despite the layoff he poses a real threat. INSTANT REPLAY (5) is in the mix following a respectable second at his most recent appearance over 1609m at this track.

Distance: 1609m
Track: Good
Weather: -
Surface: All Weather
Class: NW12500CD

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Virtual Horizon (Fr1) 1x86138324
Trainer: Jackie Greene ()
Driver: Drew Monti
Prize Money: $378,891
Win / Place: 27% / 51%

5 yo Bay Horse

Sire: VERTICAL HORIZON

Dam: SAUCY B

Rating

Stats

Career

47: 13-3-8

Distance

46: 13-3-8

Trk/Dst

27: 4-2-6

Track

28: 4-2-6

Season

9: 2-1-2

1st Up

3: 2-0-0

2nd Up

3: 1-0-1

3rd Up

3: 2-0-0

All-Weather

47: 13-3-8

Best Mile

1:51.00

Comments

Not far away at the last couple starts; Finished 1.5 m fourth behind Hespoisedtopounce at this track over 1609m STR ALL last start. Before that was beaten 0.6 metres second again at this track same class on May 29.

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 8	5/6/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr4	Aaron Byron	1:50.30	1:50.30	1.5m	$2.50f	7	STR ALL	$29,393	$2,351	1. Hespoisedtopounce 2. Anvil Hands 3. Sweet Jeff
2nd of 8	29/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr6	Aaron Byron	1:51.30	1:51.30	0.6m	$6.60	14	STR ALL	$29,532	$5,464	1. Mansome 2. Anvil Hands, Virtual Horizon 3.
3rd of 5	15/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr1	Aaron Byron	1:50.40	1:50.40	5.3m	$23	7	OPEN HC	$42,187	$5,063	1. Heinikin Bythebay 2. Alex Having Fun 3. Virtual Horizon
8th of 9	8/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr7	Aaron Byron	1:51.00	1:51.00	21.0m	$34	17	OPEN	$42,187	-	1. Fourever Boy 2. Torrid Saint 3. Grey Horizon
3rd of 5	21/4/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr1	Drew Monti	1:51.00	1:51.00	9.0m	$15	7	OPEN HC	$43,131	$5,175	1. Lifes A Puzzle 2. Sport Secret 3. Virtual Horizon
1st of 8	14/4/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr2	Drew Monti	1:52.30	1:52.30	6.8m	$8.10	8	NW12500CD	$32,779	$16,390	1. Virtual Horizon 2. Vintage Cheddar 3. Warrawee Yale

Syracuse Express (Fr2) 4361514627
Trainer: Jessica Okusko ()
Driver: Nicholas Graffam
Prize Money: $218,862
Win / Place: 21% / 58%

6 yo Bay Horse

Sire: AMERICAN IDEAL (USA)

Dam: CITY DELIGHT

Rating

Stats

Career

65: 14-12-12

Distance

65: 14-12-12

Trk/Dst

4: 0-0-0

Track

4: 0-0-0

Season

11: 2-1-1

1st Up

4: 2-0-0

2nd Up

4: 3-0-0

3rd Up

4: 0-0-1

All-Weather

65: 14-12-12

Best Mile

1:50.30

Comments

Last start 7th (Fr6) over 1609m at Tioga Downs, beaten 21 m by Fulsome (1:52.10) in NW10001-4 on June 1 at $25.25. Two runs back 2nd (Fr4) over 1609m at Vernon Downs beaten 4.5 m by Prospectors Gold (1:52.20) in NW5000CD on May 24 at $2.40.

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
7th of 9	1/6/25	Tioga Downs	1609m		All Weather	Fr6	John MacDonald	1:52.10	1:52.10	21.0m	$25	8	NW10001-4	$18,476	-	1. Fulsome 2. Primo Uomo 3. Comet Crusader
2nd of 9	24/5/25	Vernon Downs	1609m		All Weather	Fr4	Leon Bailey	1:52.20	1:52.20	4.5m	$2.40	6	NW5000CD	$12,657	$2,341	1. Prospectors Gold 2. Syracuse Express, War Of Will 3.
6th of 7	18/5/25	Saratoga	1609m		All Weather	Fr3	Matthew Athearn	1:53.40	1:53.40	15.0m	$42	35	WO/OPENHCP	$27,000	-	1. Mr McLaren 2. Pirate Hanover 3. Negotiator
35 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 6	10/5/25	Vernon Downs	1609m			-	Adam Capizzano	1:55.30	1:55.30	1.5m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Syracuse Express 2. Henceforth 3. Benicio
4th of 6	13/4/25	Saratoga	1609m		All Weather	Fr1	Aaron Byron	1:53.20	1:53.20	17.3m	$19	7	WO/OPENHCP	$27,604	$2,209	1. Little Willy 2. Lanjo Lee 3. Jahan Hanover
1st of 7	6/4/25	Saratoga	1609m		All Weather	Fr5	Aaron Byron	1:56.00	1:56.00	0.9m	$3.25	7	NW7000L5CD	$19,841	$9,920	1. Syracuse Express 2. Kamara 3. Macheasy

Naturally Gifted (Fr3) 4231x15497
Trainer: Gretchen Athearn (Campbelltown)
Driver: Aaron Byron
Prize Money: $375,200
Win / Place: 19% / 63%

5 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: SWEET LOU (USA)

Dam: PERFECTLYIMPERFECT (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

61: 12-17-10

Distance

37: 5-11-5

Trk/Dst

16: 3-4-1

Track

17: 3-5-1

Season

5: 1-0-0

1st Up

6: 3-0-1

2nd Up

6: 1-2-1

3rd Up

6: 2-1-0

Mobile

28: 7-7-6

All-Weather

61: 12-17-10

Best Mile

1:50.40

Comments

Recent form below what he is capable of. Last start 7th (Fr2) over 1609m at this track, beaten 18 m by Alex Having Fun (1:50.00) in MA OPEN HC on May 23 at $9.80. The run previous 9th (Fr5) over 1609m at this track beaten 25 m by Fourever Boy (1:51.00) in OPEN on May 8 at $9.50.

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
7th of 8	23/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr2	Nicholas Graffam	1:50.00	1:50.00	18.8m	$9.80	15	MA OPEN HC	$42,187	-	1. Alex Having Fun 2. Blazing Home 3. Fourever Boy
9th of 9	8/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr5	Heath Campbell	1:51.00	1:51.00	25.5m	$9.50	9	OPEN	$42,187	-	1. Fourever Boy 2. Torrid Saint 3. Grey Horizon
4th of 6	29/4/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr3	Kevin Switzer (Jnr)	1:50.20	1:50.20	19.5m	$9.60	8	NW20000CD	$37,956	$3,037	1. Sport Secret 2. Blazing Home 3. Grey Horizon
5th of 5	21/4/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr5	Kevin Switzer (Jnr)	1:51.00	1:51.00	14.3m	$2.40	7	OPEN HC	$43,131	$2,157	1. Lifes A Puzzle 2. Sport Secret 3. Virtual Horizon
1st of 7	14/4/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr5	Kevin Switzer (Jnr)	1:52.10	1:52.10	6.0m	$5.80	140	OPEN 2	$37,956	$18,978	1. Naturally Gifted 2. Grey Horizon 3. Lifes A Puzzle
140 Day Spell
1st of 8	7/4/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m			-	Kevin Switzer (Jnr)	1:54.20	1:54.20	0.6m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Naturally Gifted 2. Seaside Tina 3. Anvil Hands

Always A Miki (Fr4) 53x4215576
Trainer: Jimmy Nickerson ()
Driver: Matthew Athearn
Prize Money: $494,559
Win / Place: 14% / 48%

7 yo Bay Horse

Sire: ALWAYS B MIKI (USA)

Dam: BEACH GAL

Rating

Stats

Career

103: 15-18-17

Distance

103: 15-18-17

Trk/Dst

92: 13-17-14

Track

92: 13-17-14

Season

7: 1-1-0

1st Up

4: 0-0-0

2nd Up

4: 0-1-2

3rd Up

4: 1-0-0

All-Weather

103: 15-18-17

Best Mile

1:50.40

Comments

Last start 6th (Fr5) over 1609m at this track beaten 6 m by Vintage Cheddar (1:50.20) in NW12500CD on June 5 at $18.30. Two runs back 7th (Fr7) over 1609m at this track beaten 14 m by Mansome (1:51.30) in STR ALL on May 29 at $5.30.

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 7	5/6/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr5	Matthew Athearn	1:50.20	1:50.20	6.8m	$18	7	NW12500CD	$31,913	-	1. Vintage Cheddar 2. Southwind Sandor 3. Grey Horizon
7th of 8	29/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr7	Brett Beckwith	1:51.30	1:51.30	14.3m	$5.30	14	STR ALL	$29,532	-	1. Mansome 2. Anvil Hands, Virtual Horizon 3.
5th of 5	15/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr2	Matthew Athearn	1:50.40	1:50.40	11.3m	$19	7	OPEN HC	$42,187	$2,109	1. Heinikin Bythebay 2. Alex Having Fun 3. Virtual Horizon
5th of 7	8/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr2	Matthew Athearn	1:51.10	1:51.10	13.5m	$6.20	10	NW12500CD	$32,063	$1,603	1. Price Control 2. Little Willy 3. Sweet Jeff
1st of 7	28/4/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr5	Matthew Athearn	1:52.10	1:52.10	3.0m	$1.70f	7	NW7500CD	$27,604	$13,802	1. Always A Miki 2. Mansome 3. Negotiator
2nd of 7	21/4/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr5	Matthew Athearn	1:52.20	1:52.20	6.0m	$3.90	7	NW7500CD	$27,604	$6,901	1. Rockin On Venus 2. Always A Miki 3. Vintage Cheddar

Instant Replay (Fr5) 281313x542
Trainer: Kimberly Vafiades ()
Driver: Kevin Switzer (Jnr)
Prize Money: $89,653
Win / Place: 24% / 58%

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: LAZARUS N

Dam: ASHLEE'S SPORT

100

Rating

Stats

Career

41: 10-7-7

Distance

41: 10-7-7

Trk/Dst

7: 0-1-1

Track

7: 0-1-1

Season

4: 0-2-0

1st Up

4: 2-0-0

2nd Up

3: 1-0-0

3rd Up

3: 0-1-1

All-Weather

41: 10-7-7

Best Mile

1:55.10

Comments

Two back was well beaten into fourth behind Rocknroll Runa at this track over 1609m in a NW12500CD on May 29 at $15.70. Then a handy effort when beaten by 2.25 m finishing second behind General Montana at this track over 1609m in a NW7500CD on June 5 at $15.40.

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 9	5/6/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr7	Drew Monti	1:50.40	1:50.40	2.3m	$15	7	NW7500CD	$26,874	$6,719	1. General Montana 2. Instant Replay 3. Pink Floyd Hanover
4th of 6	29/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr2	Kevin Switzer (Jnr)	1:50.40	1:50.40	10.5m	$16	10	NW12500CD	$32,063	$2,565	1. Rocknroll Runa 2. Torrid Saint 3. Renaissance Deo
5th of 8	19/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr5	Kevin Switzer (Jnr)	1:52.10	1:52.10	6.8m	$29	148	NW7500CD	$27,000	$1,350	1. Er Griffin 2. Rooster Bennett 3. Pink Floyd Hanover
148 Day Spell
1st of 3	7/5/25	Bangor Raceway	1609m			-	W Drew Campbell	1:59.00	1:59.00	22.5m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Instant Replay 2. Daydreamermistirae 3. Frankie Boy
3rd of 7	22/12/24	Cumberland Raceway	1609m		All Weather	Fr3	Aaron Hall	1:55.10	1:55.10	5.3m	$13	8	W/O $10K	$13,313	$1,597	1. Alex Having Fun 2. Vel Straight Out 3. Instant Replay
1st of 6	14/12/24	Cumberland Raceway	1609m		All Weather	Fr6	W Drew Campbell	1:55.40	1:55.40	23.3m	$1.90f	7	NW5000L4	$9,153	$4,576	1. Instant Replay 2. Time For George 3. Bettor Cat

So Rock N' Roll (Fr6) 111111171x
Trainer: Benson Merrill ()
Driver: Bruce Ranger
Prize Money: $409,463
Win / Place: 48% / 89%

Distance Specialist

1st Up Record

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: WESTERN MAVERICK

Dam: SO SO SWEET

Rating

Stats

Career

37: 18-10-5

Distance

37: 18-10-5

Trk/Dst

8: 1-6-1

Track

8: 1-6-1

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

3: 2-1-0

2nd Up

3: 1-2-0

3rd Up

3: 1-1-1

All-Weather

37: 18-10-5

Best Mile

1:53.00

Comments

Returns after nine months in the paddock. Finished off last campaign recording by 2.25 m (Fr3) at Saratoga (1:55.10) beating Natameri in WO/OPENHCP on September 7 at $8.50. Previous preparation first-up posted a big 30 m win (Fr5) at Cumberland Raceway (1:56.30) beating Wainapedia in NW2500L4 on April 14 2024 at $2.40.

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 5	4/6/25	Bangor Raceway	1609m			-	Benson Merrill	1:58.20	1:58.20	37.5m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. So Rock N' Roll 2. Gold Star Spider 3. Western Stepp
4th of 8	20/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m			-	Bruce Ranger	1:53.30	1:53.30	36m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Give Us Awave 2. Robbed By Force 3. Chariot Drive
1st of 8	7/9/24	Saratoga	1609m		All Weather	Fr3	Matthew Athearn	1:55.10	1:55.10	2.3m	$8.50	35	WO/OPENHCP	$23,824	$11,911	1. So Rock N' Roll 2. Natameri 3. Talking Tom
35 Day Freshen-Up
7th of 8	3/8/24	Cumberland Raceway	1609m		All Weather	Fr7	Bruce Ranger	1:53.40	1:53.40	18.0m	$9.90	27	PINE TREE	$41,474	-	1. Ever Hoping 2. Heinikin Bythebay 3. Skyway Victor
1st of 5	7/7/24	Bangor Raceway	1609m		All Weather	Fr3	Bruce Ranger	1:53.00	1:53.00	0.3m	$4.20	8	F NICHOLS	$40,602	$20,301	1. So Rock N' Roll 2. Heinikin Bythebay 3. The Wild Card
1st of 5	29/6/24	Cumberland Raceway	1609m		All Weather	Fr5	Bruce Ranger	1:54.20	1:54.20	3.8m	$1.10f	7	NW5000L4	$9,788	$4,895	1. So Rock N' Roll 2. Rocksapatriot 3. Instant Replay

General Montana (Fr7) 4571186631
Trainer: Amanda Kelley (Fernvale)
Driver: Mitchell Cushing
Prize Money: $311,818
Win / Place: 16% / 52%

Track / Distance Specialist

7 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: BETTOR'S DELIGHT (USA)

Dam: JEN MARIE (NZ)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

121: 20-20-23

Distance

83: 13-11-14

Trk/Dst

17: 7-2-1

Track

17: 7-2-1

Season

17: 4-0-2

1st Up

5: 0-1-0

2nd Up

5: 2-1-0

3rd Up

5: 2-1-1

Mobile

37: 7-9-8

All-Weather

121: 20-20-23

Slushy

1: 0-0-1

Best Mile

1:50.40

Comments

In good form last start. Won by 2.25 m (Fr3) at this track (1:50.40) beating Instant Replay in NW7500CD on June 5 at $4.90. Two runs back 3rd (Fr4) over 1609m at this track, beaten 4 m by Hespoisedtopounce (1:51.00) in NW7500CD on May 29 at $7.70.

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 9	5/6/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr3	Mitchell Cushing	1:50.40	1:50.40	2.3m	$4.90	7	NW7500CD	$26,874	$13,437	1. General Montana 2. Instant Replay 3. Pink Floyd Hanover
3rd of 8	29/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr4	Mitchell Cushing	1:51.00	1:51.00	3.8m	$7.70	10	NW7500CD	$27,000	$3,240	1. Hespoisedtopounce 2. Pink Floyd Hanover 3. General Montana
6th of 8	19/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr6	Matthew Athearn	1:52.10	1:52.10	9.8m	$19	11	NW7500CD	$27,000	-	1. Er Griffin 2. Rooster Bennett 3. Pink Floyd Hanover
6th of 7	8/5/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr6	Heath Campbell	1:51.10	1:51.10	31.5m	$53	10	NW12500CD	$32,063	-	1. Price Control 2. Little Willy 3. Sweet Jeff
8th of 9	28/4/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr6	Shawn T Gray	1:50.40	1:50.40	26.3m	$27	7	NW12500CD	$32,779	-	1. Solesseo Matuca 2. Price Control 3. Little Willy
1st of 9	21/4/25	plainridge racecourse	1609m		All Weather	Fr2	Matthew Athearn	1:52.20	1:52.20	0.9m	$47	7	NW12500CD	$32,779	$16,390	1. General Montana 2. Flirtin Jk 3. Renaissance Deo

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