Plainville, MA — After two narrow misses in sub-1:50 miles in her most recent outings at Plainridge Park, Soft Shot threw the mile of her life while winning the $25,000 Open Pace for fillies and mares on Tuesday (Aug. 11) afternoon.
Soft Shot (Jay Randall) got to the front first off the gate but yielded that position to Swedish Starlet N (Matty Athearn), who left from post 8 and crossed over to the front passing the :26.1 quarter. But the change in command would only be short as Randall came right back with Soft Shot to reestablish control before the :54.4 half.
As the race moved onto the backstretch, Sweet Hayley Jane A (Ron Cushing) made a first-over move and pushed Soft Shot hard with a :27 third quarter. As the race entered the far turn, Soft Shot had rebuffed Sweet Hayley Jane A and opened up a 3-length advantage. When they turned for home, Swedish Starlet N tried to reel her in, but Soft Shot was resolute and paced home with authority to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:49.4, establishing her new lifetime mark.
It was the eighth win of the year for Soft Shot ($8.20), who is owned by Paul O’Neil and trained by Jaymes Mcassey.
Earlier, in the $20,000 undercard pace for distaff participants, Chakra took no prisoners en route to her own new lifetime mark.
Chakra (Matty Athearn) was sent right to the front and commanded the pace once she got there. After reaching the half in :54.4, Chakra was challenged by Vel Cinderella (Drew Monti), who moved first-over from fourth and aggressively strode towards the leader.
As the race reached three-quarters in 1:22, Vel Cinderella was a length shy of the top but kept pace with Chakra through the turn. But when they turned for home, Chakra opened up by 2 lengths in deep stretch and won in hand, timed in 1:51.1, which was a new lifetime mark.
Chakra ($3.40) is owned and trained by Julia Eaton.
Mitchell Cushing had a driving hat trick on Tuesday while 11 different trainers won one race apiece, for the second day in a row.
Racing at Plainridge Park will resume on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4 p.m.