by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — The welcome mat is always out at Plainridge Racecourse for Burke trained or owned horses. On Monday (Sept. 7), for the fourth time in the past five years Mickey Burke was there to root on Foiled Again, trained by his son, Ron, and he didn’t disappoint.

Under blue skies and heavenly temperatures and before the largest crowd of the season, Foiled Again, with Dave Palone driving, won the 14th running of the $75,000 Bert Beckwith Invitational Pace in 1:50.3.

The win marked the fourth time in the past five years that Burke trained horses have gone home with the beacon. In 2005, Maltese Artist with Bruce Ranger up, set a track record of 1:49.2. That was followed by victories with Santastic’s Pan in 2006; Maltese Artist in 2007; and Monday’s win with Foiled Again in the Beckwith classic.

Palone, who ranks third in career wins with over 13,000, made a move down the backstretch and opened up a four length lead turning for home and held on to defeat a fast closing Special Report, driven by Larry Stalbaum. Last year’s winner, Psilvuheartbreaker, with Jim Meittinis, finished third and was never a factor.

Palone was gracious with his remarks in the winner’s circle on his first visit to Plainridge. He said, “It’s an honor to be in such a race honoring the Beckwith family. He went to sleep on me in the lane, but I thought I moved right with him.”

New England Hall of Famer Peter Blood called Palone one of the country’s greatest drivers.

As usual Beckwith day saw a crowd pack the outside grandstand and clubhouse area all the way to the finish line. The carnival fun filled atmosphere featured the induction of Elmer Smith to the track’s Wall of Fame and a third race win by the 75-year-old veteran with Four Startz Falcon in the first leg of the legends driving series which was won by the veteran Leigh Fitch.

Others taking part were Peter Blood, Jim Doherty, John Hogan (who finished second), Steve O’Toole, Greg Bowden, Willard Beckwith, Paul Battis and Bruce Ranger.

The $26,000 final of the Stan Bergstein Pace for 3-year-olds was won by Midnight Lawyer, owned by local connections of the B 75 Stable in which O’Toole and a newcomer to the sport, Vince Wilfolk of the New England Patriots, have an interest. Kevin Switzer drove the Nancy Lombardi trained youngster to victory lane in a swift 1:54.1. Paul Fontaine presented the award on Bergstein’s behalf.

The 12-race card paid memorial tributes to Kurt Areano, Ken Heeney, Bucky Day, James Morrill Sr., Ron Pasquantonio, James Winters and David Marshall. Sepecial races were named after Roger Slobody’s Fancy Star and the Christian Harness Horsemen.