Plainville, MA – Coming off a heavy slate of stake action in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Indiana, Gai Waterhouse drew into a $12,000 overnight conditioned event at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon (Nov. 6) and paced away with her first win of 2020.

Gai Waterhouse drew into a $12,000 overnight conditioned event at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon (Nov. 6) and paced away with her first win of 2020. Tom Melanson Photo.

Watchful Eye (Shawn Gray) took the early lead before Gai Waterhouse (Drew Monti) grabbed the top spot in front of the stands. Positions changed again when Watchful Eye retook once more as the pair do-si-doed by the half.

The two top horses remained in one-two order to the three-quarters and around the last turn, but when they approached the head of the stretch Monti tipped Gai Waterhouse and the filly went right past Watchful Eye. She then paced strong to the wire one length ahead of the late closing Scotlynn Seelster (Mitchell Cushing) to win in 1:54.2.

Gai Waterhouse ($2.10), who was the Kentucky Sire Stake 2-year-old pacing filly champion last year, has now earned $220,367 in only 18 lifetime starts for owner Greathorse and trainer Domenico Cecere.

Driver Matty “Ice” Athearn was at it again at Plainridge. On Monday, he won with 60-1 shot Stihl N and returned $133.40, which was the largest win payoff of the season. On Friday, Athearn left from post one with 69-1 shot Easteriffic and followed the heavily favored Gottalovemyshadow (Shawn Gray) to the top of the stretch where he pulled and blew right by to win by 2-1/2 lengths and pay $141.

Joan Harmon, Normand St. Clair and Mike Foley own the Gretchen Athearn trained filly who now holds the distinction of paying the highest win mutuel of the meet.

Bruce Ranger was the top driver on Friday, winning four races during the afternoon while Melissa Beckwith was the winningest trainer with three scores.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (Nov. 9) with post time at 1 p.m.