Plainville, MA — Making every stride in the mile count, track record holder Moonshine Kisses nosed out Patrickthepiranha A at the end of an epic stretch battle in Tuesday’s (Sept. 20) $20,000 Open Handicap Pace at Plainridge Park.

Moonshine Kisses and driver Jay Randall grabbed the lead at the quarter in :26.3 and then took the field the half in :55.2. At that point, Patrikthepiranha A (Bruce Ranger) was already rolling up first-over and was within a length of the leader by three-quarters. At the top of the stretch, Patrikthepiranha A and Moonshine Kisses were side by side and paced in tandem all the way to the wire as Ranger and Randall urged them on. When they got to the line, they were a nose apart with Moonshine Kisses finishing what he started with a 1:51 win.

Moonshine Kisses narrowly held off the stretch charge of Patrikthepiranha A in Tuesday’s top pace at Plainridge Park. Tom Melanson photo.

It was the fifth win of the year for Moonshine Kisses ($7.80) and owner Kellogg Racing Stables. Jackie Greene trains the winner.

Family ties ran deep at Plainridge Park on Tuesday as trainer Melissa Beckwith had a dominant afternoon, starting four horses on the card and watching three make it to the winner’s circle while her son, Brett, won three races in the bike.

In the co-featured $15,000 upper-level conditioned pace, Beckwith scored with Jimmy Connor B (Nick Graffam), who followed the outside cover of Ucanttouchthis (Brett Beckwith) past the half in pursuit of the front-running Salt Life (Bruce Ranger) and stayed in that position until the top of the stretch. It was there where Graffam tipped three-wide around the leaders and paced away to a 3-1/4-length victory in a seasonal best 1:50.4.

Jimmy Connor B ($3.40) is owned by Triple D Stables, M G Stable, Toby Rekoon and Frank Canzone.

The Beckwiths also won with Little Willy ($6.40), who took a new lifetime mark of 1:53, and Vel Mr Nice Guy (1.51.4, $4.40).

Brett Beckwith completed his day with a driving triple as he added Throwing Copper (1:53.1, $54.00) to the win column to complete the hat trick.

The $2.5 million (est.) Massachusetts Sire Stakes begin at Plainridge Park on Sunday (Sept. 25) with all divisions of 3-year-olds competing in their first legs. The 2-year-olds take the track on Monday (Sept. 26) for their seasonal bow. Post time for both days is at 2 p.m.

Until then, live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 22) with post time at 2 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website.