Plainville, MA — Two mini-series for pacers kicked off at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Oct. 10), and the competition was stout with all eyes focused on the lucrative finals next week. There were three $12,500 divisions of “The Brown” with a $17,500 final set for eligibles, and one $15,000 division of “The Welker” that has $20,000 on tap for the finalists. The top earners from these eliminations will advance to the finals next week.

Winning the single Welker elimination was Anvil Hands, who was steered to victory by Jimmy Hardy.

Hardy sent Anvil Hands right to the front and spared no speed in doing so. Anvil Hands hit the quarter in :26.4 and the half in :55.3 while Whata Foolblieves (driven by Matty Athearn) and heavy favorite Come On Raags (Bruce Ranger) chased to no avail in the breeze. Anvil Hands then hammered out a :27.2 third panel that put two lengths of separation between himself and the rest of the field. Heading for home, Hardy kept Anvil Hands to his task, and he held off a fast-closing Adriano Hanover (Kevin Switzer Jr.) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.1, which tied his lifetime best.

Anvil Hands set ambitious fractions en route to a 1:51 win in the lone division of the Welker mini-series at Plainridge. Tom Melanson photo.

It was the ninth win of the year for Anvil Hands ($14.00), all of which were taken at Plainridge Park, and that currently makes him the winningest horse of the 2022 meet. Anvil Hands is owned by David Thibaut, Christine Thibault, Jim Hardy and trainer Jolene Andrews.

The winners of the three Brown elims were Skyway Ballistic (1:53.1, $22.40), who was driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Cain McKenizie; Kick The Dirt Up (1:54.1, $21.00), who was driven by Matty Athearn for trainer Mike Girouard; and Get Along (1:53.1, $9.00), who was driven by Jay Randall for trainer Bryant Sears.

Nick Graffam and Bruce Ranger were the top drivers at Plainridge Monday with two wins each..

Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 11) at 2 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website.