by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardred Owners of Massachusetts

Plainville, MA — The well-travelled Ask Queenie has already won races at Monticello, Yonkers and Saratoga Raceways this year. Now, she can put a Plainridge Park sticker on her trunk as she captured the $12,000 distaff pacing feature here on Tuesday afternoon (April 24).

Tom Melanson photo

Ask Queenie collects another victory in the Plainridge Park feature on Tuesday.

Ask Queenie (Shawn Gray) settled in mid-pack off the gate as Iced Out (Greg Merton) took early command. But Gray’s placid approach quickly changed when he pulled his mare at the eighth pole and made a rush for the front. Hitting the quarter in :27, Ask Queenie was now barking marching orders with the field following in a straight line.

After backing the half off to :56, Stylish Beachwhere (Ron Cushing) and Western Stepp (Drew Campbell) came in the outer flow but were met with a quickening :28 third-quarter pace. Rounding the last turn, Stylish Beachwhere stalled, sending Western Stepp three high. But Ask Queenie was still rolling along and stretched out to a three-length advantage. Down the lane Gray tucked the whip and lowered the lines and Ask Queenie was a wrapped-up winner crossing the wire in 1:52.3, which was a new seasonal mark.

Ask Queenie ($3.80) scored her fourth win of the year for owners Edward Hall and James Hall Jr. and trainer Craig Mosher.

In the co-featured $12,000 conditioned pace, Colorful Speech (Nick Graffam) turned a garden-spot trip behind Cruiserwillwin (Greg Merton) into a hard-fought half-length victory in 1:53.4, blowing up the tote board at 40-1.

Colorful Speech ($83.80) scored his first win of the year for owner/trainer Milton Vickerson and triggered big payouts for his supporting bettors. The 1-4 exacta returned $305.20 and the 1-4-3 trifecta paid $2,876.20, both for $2 wagers.

Shawn Gray led all drivers on Tuesday with three wins on the card.

Racing resumes on Thursday (April 26) with post time at 4 p.m.