by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts

Plainville, MA — After putting in a stellar effort in the top distaff event here last week, Iheartquestionmark stepped down in class and scored her third win in her last four starts, taking the $12,000 fillies and mares pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (May 29).

Tom Melanson photo

Iheartquestionmark wins to visit the winner’s circle in three out of her last four starts at Plainridge Park.

Beautiful Lady (Nick Graffam) took the lead and got the girls to the half in :55.2 before Shesgotthebeat (Greg Merton) came calling on the outside to engage the leader for the rest of the race. With Iheartquestionmark (Eric Davis) sitting second-over in the fray, Beautiful Lady and Shesgotthebeat went stride-for-stride up the backside and to the three-quarters in 1:24.

They kept at it around the last turn when Iheartquestionmark tipped three-deep with a full head of steam and a highly animated driver. Davis kept the mare to task and paced away to a one-half length margin of victory in 1:53, which was a new seasonal mark for the mare.

The Janet Davis owned and trained Iheartquestionmark was overlooked by the betting public despite the class drop and inside draw and was allowed to go off 17-1. As a result, the venerable 9-year-old returned $36.80 for the win and topped the two post time favorites in a 2-5-4 trifecta that paid $1,344.60.

The three leading Plainridge dash drivers continued their winning ways on Tuesday as Drew Campbell and Greg Merton scored two wins apiece while Shawn Gray had one. As a result, Campbell is the leader of the pack right now with 40 wins for the meet with Gray and Merton tied for second with 38 wins each.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (May 31) at 4 p.m.