Plainville, MA – Two $25,000 Open events were held at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (October 23) and both winners scored big upsets due to the slow pace.
In the Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares, Side Piece (Bruce Ranger) came away third behind Seaside Tina (Mitchell Cushing) and Sweden’s Starlet (Matty Athearn), who battled their way to the front and passed the quarter in :27.1. Swedish Starlet N then moved back half way to :56.2 when Side Piece moved over first to challenge on the backstretch.
Side piece (Shadow play) then used a :27 third panel to pass Sweden’s Starlet N and cross by two lengths at three-quarters to the lead in 1:23.2. Side Piece then opened up three lengths at the top of the stretch, but late rushes from a resurgent Swedish Starlet N and a fast-closing Always Bstunning N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) cut that lead to half a length at the line, where Side Piece held on to win in 1:52.2.
It was the fifth win of the year for Side Piece ($36.40), owned by Janie Kellogg and trained by Jackie Greene.
SIDE PIECE REPEAT
Then, in the Open Handicap pace for horses and geldings, Spring Inhis Step A (Brett Beckwith) rolled into the lead from post seven and never came back from there.
After posting quarters of :26.2, :55 and 1:22.2, Spring Inhis Step A turned for home and separated from the field by 2-½ lengths to win easily in 1:50.2.
SPRING IN ITS STEP ONE REPEAT
It was the fourth win in the last five starts and eighth win overall this year for Spring Inhis Step A ($12.20), owned by Pollack Racing and trained by Jeff Cullipher.
On a day where only one favorite won, plentiful payouts were available all afternoon. Premium winning prizes included Twin B Jays (1:52.2, $92.60) which set up an 8-3-1 $1 trifecta that earned $4,090.50, and Jackies Boy (1:50.2, $39.40).
Kevin Switzer Jr. was the top driver on Thursday with three wins, while Jeff Cullipher beat other trainers with two wins of his own.
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Friday (October 24) at 2pm and there will be a carryover of $2,983 in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in the sixth race.
And as a reminder, the final of the $1.2 million Massachusetts Breeders Stakes will be held Thursday (October 30) at Plainridge Park.
For full race results, click here: American trotting results.
Through Tim Boyarskifor Plainridge Park
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