by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts
Plainville, MA — A full field of nine of the best pacing mares on the grounds lined up for the $16,000 Winners-Over distaff pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (May 22) and after a thrilling stretch drive, Angel Or Terror proved she was the best of the bunch.
Driver Eddie Davis Jr. took Angel Or Terror off the gate and settled in fourth as Western Stepp (Drew Campbell) made a decisive bolt for the lead, where she would then dictate the pace. After getting to the quarter in :26.1, Western Stepp had little pressure to deal with other than Shesgotthebeat (Nick Graffam), who got parked and was floating on the rim third.
Campbell slowed the half to :55.1 before trying to get away from the pack in the third panel with a :28 split. Under heavy urging around the far turn, Western Stepp opened up a two-length advantage and was looking like a winner at the head of the stretch. But the pace must have gotten to the leader, as Angel Or Terror came off the pylons from third, tipped three-wide around Caviart Caterina (Mike Stevenson) and collared Western Stepp at the wire to win by a neck in 1:53.1.
Owned by Eric Prevost, who claimed her for $15,000 after her first Plainridge start on May 1, Angel Or Terror ($8.80) registered her second 2018 win and a new seasonal mark for trainer Elisha Lafreniere.
Three drivers scored two wins on Tuesday: Shawn Gray, Drew Campbell and Mitchell Cushing, who lit up the tote board in the ninth race when he won with Freetime at 31-1 and paid $64.40. It also triggered a 3-4-7 trifecta that returned $2,339 and a 3-4-7-1 superfecta that paid $4,315.40, both for a $2 bet.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (May 24) at 4:00 p.m. where there will be a $3,363 Wicked Hi-5 carryover pool available in the sixth race.