Plainville, MA — Despite finishing second by a mere nose last week, Joan’srisingstar N was released by the betting public at 30-1 in Tuesday’s (Aug. 25) $26,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Plainridge Park, and she delivered with a 1:50.3 victory.
Joan’srisingstar N (Bruce Ranger) went right to the front and reached the quarter in :26. Right after that station, Wilhemena Rita A (Brett Beckwith) pulled early and chased the leader to the half in a quick :54.
As the race motored up the backstretch, Wilhemena Rita A began to fade and the pocket-sitting Royally Hot (Kevin Switzer Jr.) pulled out as they went by three-quarters in 1:22. Joan’srisingstar N and Royally Hot matched strides around the last turn and all the way down the stretch, but Royally Hot couldn’t catch Joan’srisingstar N, who won in hand by 1-1/2 lengths and came up one-fifth of a second shy of her lifetime mark.
It was the sixth win of the year for Joan’srisingstar N ($62), who is owned by Joe Trice and trained by Jimmy Nickerson.
Plainridge Park also featured three $15,000 divisions of the Romper Room series for 2-year-old eligibles of the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes, that will start at Plainridge on Monday, Sept. 28.
The first was a trot, won by I Like Green (Greenshoe-Royal Lady).
I Like Green (John Beckwith) got away fourth behind On Tap Lindy (Brett Beckwith) before pulling first-over approaching the 1:00.2 half. I Like Green continued to gain ground throughout the :28.4 third quarter and cut his deficit in half while moving into second. When the race entered the stretch, I Like Green continued to close and caught On Tap Lindy at the line by oa quarter length to take a new lifetime mark of 1:58.3.
I Like Green ($2.40) is owned by Gary Mahany and trained by his driver, John Beckwith. Steve Jones was the winning breeder.
The next two events were paces, with the first won by Always B Winning (Always B Miki-Don’t Think Twice).
Always B Winning (Bruce Ranger) went right to the front and never looked back. After leading comfortably to three-quarters in 1:26.4, Stayoutofmylane (Brett Beckwith) and The Woman With You (Jimmy Whittemore) were breathing down Always B Winning’s neck as they paced around the turn and into the stretch. As they approached the wire, Stayoutofmylane made a break, leaving The Woman With You a clear shot at the leader. But Always B Winning held her off and won by a half length in a lifetime best 1:56.
Always B Winning ($4.20) is owned by Michael Goldberg Racing and trained by Chuck Connor Jr. Michael Goldberg Racing and Andrew Harris Racing bred Always B Winning.
The third tilt was won by Atreides (Stay Hungry-Lady Killer), who led the entire mile.
Atreides (Brett Beckwith) went right to the front and posted even fractions of :29, 1:00 and 1:29.1 with Beantown Big Al (Drew Monti) and Sting Me (Nick Graffam) giving chase. As they came off the last turn, Sting Me made a break and Flint McCullough (Matty Athearn) moved into contention on the outside. When they straightened out for home, Flint McCullough was flying and made up two lengths, but Atreides hung on and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.4.
Atreides ($2.10) is owned by Scott McKenzie and Stratton Stable and trained by Cory Stratton. Scott McKenzie also bred Atreides.
Driver Brett Beckwith had three wins on Tuesday.
Racing at Plainridge Park will resume on Thursday (Aug. 27) at 4 p.m. Free full-card past performance programs and replays for every card of racing at Plainridge Park are available at plainridgeparkcasino.com.