Plainville, MA — It was ladies’ day at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Aug. 4) as the best resident fillies and mares lined up to compete, and the top two classes both produced sub-1:50 miles and career performances for their respective winners.
Acushla Machree N took a lot of air on the overland route, but that didn’t stop her from turning in the race of her life as she won the $25,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares.
Acushla Machree N (Mitchell Cushing) got away fourth as Intothemysticmoon (Bruce Ranger) led the girls to the half in :54.3. It was there that Acushla Machree N started to make her move, advancing first-over while Swedish Starlet N (Matty Athearn) drafted on her back.
Intothemysticmoon continued to lead, but Acushla Machree N pushed a :26.2 third quarter and was breathing down the leader’s neck as they made their way around the turn. When the field straightened for home, Acushla Machree N incrementally ran down Intothemysticmoon and then held off the fast-closing Swedish Starlet N by three-quarters of a length to win in 1:49.2, which was a new lifetime mark.
It was the fourth win of the year for Acushla Machree N ($15.60), who is owned by Ray Campbell Jr. and trained by Gretchen Athearn.
Not to be outdone, Sweet Hayley Jane A scored her ninth win of the year in a career-best effort, with a matching 1:49.2 time in the $20,000 upper-level conditioned pace for distaffers.
Sweet Hayley Jane A (Ron Cushing) got away fourth off the gate while Vel Cinderella (Brett Beckwith) set the pace to the quarter in :26.2. When the race came off turn one, Lil Rockstar (Bruce Ranger) made a speed rush at the leader and took the front before the :53.4 half. But as soon as Lil Rockstar crossed over, Sweet Hayley Jane A was out with a speed rush of her own and went stride-for-stride with Lil Rockstar to three-quarters in 1:20.2. Sweet Hayley Jane A took the lead in that bend and then paced with authority to the line, where she won by a length over Chakra (Matty Athearn).
Sweet Hayley Jane A ($7) is owned by her driver in partnership with Kevin Sywyk. Heidi Cushing trains the winner.
Brett Beckwith led all drivers on Tuesday with three wins while Heidi Cushing was the top trainer with a pair of winners.
Racing at Plainridge Park will resume on Thursday (Aug. 6) at 4 p.m. Free full-card past performance programs and replays for every card of racing at Plainridge Park are available at plainridgeparkcasino.com.