Plainville, MA — The race never seemed in doubt for The Wild Card was never in doubt in the $25,000 Winners-Over Pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Oct. 5), led from start to finish and giving his driver Bruce Ranger his third consecutive victory in the bike behind him.
The Wild Card had a two-length lead at the :26.3 quarter and he maintained his advantage through the following panels of :55.1 and 1:23 with no imminent challenge from behind. The Wild Card continued to lead by three lengths coming off the final turn and was wrapped up in deep stretch while holding off a late charge from Heinikin Bythebay (Kevin Switzer Jr.) to win in 1:50.1.
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The fourth win of the year for The Wild Card ($4.00) pushed his 2023 earnings to $101,850 for owner Scott Dillon. Joe Nelson trains the winner.
Earlier, Vintage Cheddar N (Brett Beckwith) won the $20,000 secondary featured pace after getting away last and trailing by 10 lengths at one point to the front-running Torrid Saint A (Matty Athearn). Just past the half, Beckwith pulled Vintage Cheddar N second-over behind Bad And Boujee (Drew Campbell) as they headed up the backstretch and then tipped three-deep around him in the last turn. Still four lengths off the leader, Vintage Cheddar N continued to pace his way into contention at the top of the stretch. Heading for the line, I’m No Outlaw (Jay Randall) passed Torrid Saint A to take the lead, but Vintage Cheddar N was in full flight and caught I’m No Outlaw just before the line to win by a neck in 1:50.3, which was a new lifetime mark.
Beckwith ended the day with a grand slam in the bike as he also won with White Belly (1:52.1, $28.20), Tack Room Chatter (1:51.4, $4.20) and Treacherous Tom (1:55.1, $5.00).
It was the second win in only four North American starts for Vintage Cheddar N ($6.80), who is owned by S&K Misfit Stable, John Ball and VIP Internet Stable. Amanda Kelley does the conditioning.
Live racing at Plainridge Park will resume on Friday (Oct. 6) at 2 p.m. There will be a $24,306 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 in race six.