Plainville, MA — Slick-gaited side-wheelers headlined the card at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (April 13), and the top pair of contests were won by the mother-son tandem of trainer Melissa Beckwith and driver Brett Beckwith.

In the $24,000 Open II feature, Always A Miki (Luke Hanners) took every bit of the :26.3 first quarter to claim the lead before crossing over from the outside to settle on the pylons. The pace remained stiff through a :27.4 second panel before Beckwith came first-over with Jimmy Connor B and locked up with Always A Miki at three-quarters. The pair paced away from the field in the far turn and matched strides into the stretch and all the way to the wire. Despite a stellar effort from Always A Miki who dug in, Jimmy Connor B did the better work this day and won by a length in 1:50.1.

Jimmy Connor B gave Melissa and Brett Beckwith half of their sweep of the Thursday features at Plainridge Park. Tom Melanson photo.

Jimmy Connor B ($2.40) is owned by Triple D Stables, M G Stables, Toby Rekoon and Frank Canzone.

Then, in the $20,000 upper-level conditioned event, Beckwith took the lead with Little Willy in a contested :26.1 quarter and then led the field from there. After Little Willy backed off the half to :55.4, Kokanee Seelster (Jim Hardy) pushed the issue with a :27.4 third quarter and continued his pursuit into the last turn. It was there that Ima Happy Fella GB (Jay Randall) tipped out from mid-pack, went by Kokanee Seelster and drew even with Little Willy at the top of the stretch. The two battled stride for stride to the wire, but Little Willy hung on by a neck for the win and a new lifetime mark of 1:51.2.

Little Willy ($7.00) is owned by Melissa Beckwith.

Brett Beckwith ended the day with a hat trick in the bike while trainer Melissa Beckwith tied with Mark Eaton for top training honors with two wins on the day.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (April 17) at 4 p.m.