Apple Bottom Jeans much the best at Plainridge
July 17, 2018,by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts
Plainville, MA — It’s hard enough to beat a field of the best distaff pacers on the grounds. But when you add in a 50-minute weather delay immediately before the race, an off track and a first-over journey, it gets that much more difficult. But Apple Bottom Jeans was up to the task as she beat all the odds to win the $16,000 Winners-Over Handicap for fillies and mares at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (July 17).
Tom Melanson photo
After a 50-minute weather delay, Apple Bottom Jeans coasted to a 1:53 win in Plainridge Park’s featured distaff pace on Tuesday.
High winds and heavy downpours blew in just as the sixth race ended and delayed the start of the featured seventh. After the track crew worked to repair the racing surface, the program reconvened and the gate released the field of seven with Western Stepp (Drew Campbell) taking her favored position on the point, speeding to the quarter in :26.4. Apple Bottom Jeans (Mitchell Cushing) floated out from post seven and dropped in fifth briefly, but came right back out at the three-eighths and started motoring up the rim by the time they hit the half.
Although being pursued, Western Stepp maintained a two-length lead to the three-quarters and looked like the one to beat. Apple Bottom Jeans got to within a length of the leader by the top of the last turn and was gaining momentum as Western Stepp started to look vulnerable under urging. When they hit the top of the lane, the two mares were dead even, but Western Stepp gave way mid-stretch and Apple Bottom Jeans cruised right by her to win by two lengths in 1:53 while Cushing sat chilly with the whip under his arm.
It was the 21st career win in only 51 lifetime starts for Apple Bottom Jeans ($3.00), and it pushed her bankroll to $511,828. KDK Standardbreds owns the 5-year-old daughter of Mr Apples who is trained by Kevin Switzer.
In the co-featured $12,000 conditioned event, Acefortyfour Alex (Mitchell Cushing) followed a pedestrian :57 half from third before pulling at that station, grinded out a parked :27 third quarter and then wore down the leading Empty Gesture (Drew Campbell) to win by three lengths in 1:52.1, which was a new lifetime mark.
It was the second win in a row and fourth since coming to Plainridge Park for Acefortyfour Alex ($7.20), who is owned by Charles Fernandes Jr. and trained by Dennis Laterza.
Besides winning both featured races on Tuesday, Mitchell Cushing also won the first with Rock Me Threetimes ($2.80) to notch a driving hat trick and lead all drivers for victories on the card.
There was no winner in the sixth race Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager and as a result, there will be a huge carry-over pool of $14,931 in the sixth race on Thursday (July 19) when live racing resumes at Plainridge Park. Post time for the first race is 4 p.m.