Plainville, MA — Even though torrential rains delayed the start of racing at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Sept. 25), the inclement weather couldn’t keep Sea Can from getting home on time to win the $25,000 Open Trot to score an upset.
When the gate released the trotters, Brett Beckwith was on a mission with Platinum AS as they sped to the lead and opened up a two-length gap at the fast :26.3 quarter. With A New Leader (Mitchell Cushing) pocketed-up for the trip and Sea Can (Nick Graffam) drafting third, Platinum AS reached the half in :54.4 before Morning Edition (Shawn Gray) tipped first-over and brought Sforza (Bruce Ranger) along with him.
When the group reached three-quarters, the race was in two rows and Sea Can was last on the pegs in a very tough spot. But as the race moved through turn three, Platinum AS faded, leaving Morning Edition to take the lead. Then Sforza tipped off his cover for the stretch drive and Sea Can was fourth-over but trotting up a storm. Halfway down the lane, these three horses were even across the track, but then Sforza overtook Morning Edition before Sea Can forged ahead late to beat Sforza in the shadow of the wire by a quarter length in 1:53, which was just one-fifth of a second off his lifetime mark.
It was the eighth win of the year for Sea Can ($14.60), who is owned by Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi and trained by Joe Nelson.
Later, in the $22,500 upper-level conditioned trot, Memorynimagination (Matty Athearn) led from start to finish for a win that never seemed to be in doubt. Memorynimagination cut quarters of :27.4, :57 and 1:25 before being challenged by Pepper Wow (Ivan Davies), who got to within one length of the leader. But that was as close as he would get because Memorynimagination maintained that advantage all the way to the line, where he won in 1:53.3 and registered a new lifetime mark.
It was the sixth win of the year for Memorynimagination ($9.80), who is owned by Joe Trice and trained by Jimmy Nickerson.
There were some very generous payouts distributed at Plainridge on Thursday as long shots seemed to be the rule of the day. Royally Raised (Todd O’Dea) won the fourth race from post 7 and returned $175.80 for a $2 win bet, and Bean Shooter (Mitchell Cushing) won the eighth race from post 8 and paid $56.60. At the end of the day, and much to the chagrin of chalk lovers everywhere, only one off-time favorite won a race at Plainridge on Thursday and only one other actually hit the board (third).
Aaron Byron and Nick Graffam each had two driving wins during the card while nine different trainers each won one race apiece.
Live racing at Plainridge Park will resume on Friday (Sept. 26) at 2 p.m. with a $710 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 wager in race six.
Free full past performance programs and race replays for all live racing days at Plainridge Park can be found at plainridgeparkcasino.com.