Plainville, MA — Trainer Jimmy Nickerson and driver Matty “Ice” Athearn have been red-hot at Plainridge Park during opening week. They both continued to excel on Thursday (April 16) afternoon when they combined to win a pair of $25,000 Opens that topped the bill.
First, in the Open Pace for fillies and mares, Swedish Starlet N took advantage of a perfect trip to pounce late and score an impressive victory.
Athearn sent Swedish Starlet N to the front and passed the quarter in :27.2. But she soon yielded for a pocket ride behind Ambushed (Cory Stratton), who also left and forged ahead in front of the stands. Ambushed got to the half in :55.3 when Sweet Hayley Jane A (Ron Cushing) moved first-over and into contention as they entered turn two.
Sweet Hayley Jane A continued to gain ground and drew even with Ambushed at three-quarters in a swift :27.3 third panel while Swedish Starlet N was still in the box and full of pace. They spun around the last turn, and at the top of the stretch, Sweet Hayley Jane A pulled ahead of Ambushed and had a clear road to the wire. But at the same time, Swedish Starlet N found room at the pegs and flew through the gap to collar Sweet Hayley Jane A in deep stretch by a half length in 1:51.1, a new seasonal mark.
It was the third win of the year for the heavily backed Swedish Starlet N ($3.80), who is owned by Tim Bojarski and Tony Gruppo.
Then, in the Open Trot, Memorynimagination turned a big three-wide move into his fourth win of the year, despite the handicapped eight-hole start.
Athearn got away seventh with Memorynimagination and watched 25-1 shot By The Book (Jay Randall) snap off early fractions of :27.2 and :57.1 while A New Leader (Mitchell Cushing) took the garden spot. As they made their way onto the backstretch for the final half, Mrmayor Hanover (Aaron Byron) moved first-over and eventually made his way to second, only a quarter length behind By The Book at the 1:25.3 three-quarters.
At that station, Memorynimagination was already in play three-wide and had a full head of steam as he rolled past horses at will as they bent through the final apex. By the time they reached the top of the stretch, Memorynimagination had moved into second, and it was clear he was far from done. When they straightened for home, Memorynimagination moved ahead of the very game By The Book and maintained a length lead to the wire, where he won in 1:55, which was also a new seasonal mark.
Memorynimagination ($13.40) is owned by Joe Trice.
Swedish Starlet N and Memorynimagination made up half of the grand slam registered by Athearn, which included a natural hat trick in races six through eight. Athearn also won with Just Roxy (1:56.2, $5.80) and Bella’s Love (1:58.1, $4.00). This was the second Plainridge race day in a row that Athearn scored four wins.
Through the first week of racing, Nickerson has not missed the board in seven starts, posting four wins, two seconds and one third. Athearn has nine wins, six seconds and five thirds from his 28 starts, and both are the current leaders in their respective categories of this new meet as a result.
Racing at Plainridge Park resumes on Monday (April 20) at 4 p.m.; there will be a $4,943 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 and race replays can be accessed at the track’s website.