Plainville, MA — Driver Matty “Ice” Athearn and trainer Jimmy Nickerson had a big day at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 17) as they combined for a grand slam during the card, including wins in the day’s two featured events.

The $25,000 distaff Winners-Over Handicap Pace was the headline race, and Dandy’s Evrlasting won it for the second consecutive week.

Athearn took Dandy’s Evrlasting off the gate to last and watched as Ry’s Red Rocket (Bruce Ranger) set the pace. After Ry’s Red Rocket got to the half in :55, Booraa N (Ron Cushing) and Toodles Hanover (Nick Graffam) came in the outer flow, keeping the short field of six covered by just four lengths at three-quarters. The group paced into the last turn in the same order, but Athearn tipped Dandy’s Evrlasting three-wide at the apex of the bend, and she was in full gear. With the field five across the stretch, Dandy’s Evrlasting barreled down the lane and passed everyone to score a three-quarter-length victory in 1:51.3.

Dandy’s Evrlasting cascaded down the grandstand side to her second consecutive top-level win at Plainridge Park. Tom Melanson photo.

The win was the eighth of the year for Dandy’s Evrlasting ($5.80), and it pushed her earnings to $102,000 this year for owners Dandy Farms Racing and Ft. Racing Stable. Her eighth tally also made her the winningest horse at the 2023 Plainridge meet to this point.

Then, in the $18,500 upper-level pace, Athearn and Nickerson scored with Always A Miki, who led from gate to wire. Starting from post one, Always A Miki shot to the lead and posted quarters of :27, :56.1 and 1:23.3 before anyone made a meaningful move. Jo Pa’s Warrior (Mitchell Cushing) was advancing first-over and got to within a half length of the leader at three-quarters, but that was as close as he’d get. When the field turned for home, Always A Miki kicked away to a 2-1/4-length lead and won easily in 1:51.2.

It was the third win in the last five starts for Always A Miki ($11.00), who is owned by Joe Trice.

Athearn and Nickerson completed their tear with wins by I Spy N (1:53, $18.00) and No Soup Tonight (1:54.1, $12.20).

Live racing at Plainridge Park will resume on Monday (Aug. 21) at 4 p.m. There will be a $7,976 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.