Major Leaguer in lifetime best at Plainridge
September 13, 2018,by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts
Plainville, MA — Major Leaguer overcame an early deficit to go the mile of his life in the $16,000 winners-over pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 13).
Tom Melanson photo
Woodside Charm and trainer-driver Verlin Yoder sparkled in 1:53.4 on Thursday at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Quick Shot (Drew Campbell) took early command and flashed to the half in :54.1. At that point, four horses were already out and moving, with Major Leaguer (Jimmy Whittemore) second-over in the pack. Bet You (Eddie Davis Jr.) was closest to the leader, forced a 1:21.4 three-quarter time, and looked like a contender at that point.
As soon as they passed that station, Bet You stalled. Whittemore tipped Major Leaguer three-wide around him and took dead aim at Quick Shot, who still had a two-length advantage. Then under a methodic rocking hand drive, Major Leaguer made up the ground, wore down Quick Shot and hit the wire one length ahead in 1:50.4, which was a new lifetime mark.
Unraced at 2, the now 4-year-old Major Leaguer ($16.20) scored his 23rd win in 44 lifetime starts for his driving owner, Jimmy Whittemore and his trainer Dennis Whittemore.
The second-fastest mile of the day was registered in a $13,000 non-winners event for the under-6-year-old group, when Lucky Sport (Mitchell Cushing) went gate-to-wire to win by more than four lengths in 1:51, which was also a new lifetime mark.
The win was the second in the last three Plainridge outings for Lucky Sport ($3.60), and the time knocked almost two full seconds of his previous best taken at Woodbine Mohawk Park back in June of this year. Curran Racing and Adam Michael co-own Lucky Sport, who is trained by Jim Nickerson.
Several drivers had multiple wins on Thursday, led by Mitchell Cushing with three and followed by Drew Campbell, Jimmy Whittemore and Wally Watson with two apiece.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Sept. 17) with a 2 p.m. post time. Monday’s card features the $20,000 finals of the Wood End Light and Nauset Light late closers for 2-year-olds. Several of the entries from this event are also eligible for the $1.3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes that begin at Plainridge Park on Oct. 1. This will be one of their last tune-ups for that series, and it should make these two races very interesting.