Plainville, MA — After moving with speed and decisiveness past the quarter, Nebbiolo went on to score an impressive victory in the Grade 3 $100,000 Bunker Hill Trot at Plainridge Park on Saturday afternoon (May 16).
Nebbiolo (driven by Sarah Svanstedt) settled in fourth off the gate while Who’s Eyes Blues (Nick Graffam) and Create Escape (Johnathan Ahle) engaged in a skirmish to the quarter in a speedy :26.3. After Create Escape finally established the lead, Svanstedt pulled Nebbiolo and bolted to the front.
Nebbiolo had a two-length lead at the half, but Who’s Eyes Blues moved first-over and pushed the issue to three-quarters and around the last turn. But that last turn also saw Who’s Eyes Blues make a break, leaving Nebbiolo with a three-length advantage entering the stretch. Svanstedt kept him focused down the lane and Nebbiolo trotted home unencumbered by three lengths to win in a lifetime best 1:54.2. Midwind Chimp finished second and Water Slide was third.
It was the first start and win of 2026 for the Hambletonian Stakes-eligible Nebbiolo, a son of Captain Corey-Via Lattea IT, who is owned by breeder Knutsson Trotting Inc. and trained by Ake Svanstedt. The colt paid $6.20 to win.
In overnight action at The Ridge, driver Matty Athearn had a big day after winning four races on the card, including a natural hat trick in races 3, 4 and 5. “Matty Ice” won with Laurens Hoopla (1:57.1, $9.40), And Up We Go (1:57.4, $2.80), Finnbar (1:54.3, $10.60) and Bella’s Love (1:56.2, $5.80).
Athearn also had three seconds and a third from his eight starts giving him a stellar .750 UDR for the day.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (May 18) at 4 p.m. (EDT) and there will be an $11,380 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the sixth race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Plainridge Park can always be downloaded at plainridgeparkcasino.com under the “Racing” tab. You can also watch all the race replays on that same page.