Plainville, MA — A $25,000 Open for both pacers and the trotters was programmed at Plainridge Park on Monday (Nov. 3) afternoon and despite chilly fall weather, the winners went some hot summer miles.
The Open pace went to post first and Jackies Boy overpowered a very stout field for the win.
It was a mad dash off the gate with horses three-wide into the turn. Jackies Boy (Fern Paquet Jr.) was the toughest of all by seating Heinikin Bythebay (Kevin Switzer Jr.) as they motored by the :26.1 quarter, while also parking out Mullinax (Shawn Gray) and Tenzing Bromac N (Ron Cushing) for the rest of the mile.
The two-tiered traffic jam stayed in position to the half in :54 and three-quarters in 1:21.3 before heading into the turn. When the race entered the stretch, there were five horses strewn across the track in chase of the race-long leader but none could catch Jackies Boy, who pulled away by two lengths at the light in 1:50.4.
It was the second straight win and fifth of the year for Jackies Boy ($12.60), who is owned by William Mc Elvain Jr. and trained by Elisha Lafreniere.
Then later in the Open Handicap trot, A New Leader sat back early, but struck late with authority to win going away.
A New Leader tucked in fifth as Sforza (Kevin Switzer Jr.) moved to the point, who then saw Sea Can (Nick Graffam) go by to the front at the :27 quarter. But Sea Can’s lead was also short-lived because Morning Edition (Shawn Gray) then became the third leader of the race before getting to the :55.3 half.
When the dust finally settled at that point, A New Leader (Mitchell Cushing) was out and moving first-over and advanced to second that three-quarters as Memorynimagination (Matty Athearn) drafted in his cover. Positions remained unchanged through the final turn but when the race entered the stretch, A New Leader reeled in Morning Edition and became the final leader by 1-1/2 lengths at the line in 1:53.2.
It was also the second straight win, but seventh of the year for A New Leader ($9.60), who is owned by Ray Lasky and his driver/trainer, Mitchell Cushing.
Driver Bruce Ranger won three races on Monday while Gretchen Athearn and Jeff Cullipher topped all other trainers by winning two apiece during the afternoon.
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Nov. 4) at 1 p.m. and there will be a $2,254 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in the sixth race.
Free full past performance programs and race replays for all live racing days at Plainridge Park can be found at plainridgeparkcasino.com.