Plainville, MA — On Tuesday (Aug. 18), Acushla Machree N won the $25,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares for the fourth time this season at Plainridge Park — with a come-from-behind victory, as usual.
Acushla Machree N (driven by Mitchell Cushing) got away fourth early as Swedish Starlet N (Matty Athearn) led to the quarter in :26. But right after that station, Sweet Hayley Jane A (Ron Cushing) pulled quickly and blitzed to the front in a snappy :53.4 half.
At that same time, Acushla Machree N had also moved to the outside and made her way to second in the breeze as they reached three-quarters in 1:21.1. As they moved off the turn, Wilhemena Rita A (Brett Beckwith) joined the fray three-widem and the entire field was also in reach. However, Acushla Machree N was in the middle of the track under a full head of steam and rolled to the line on top by a half length and won in 1:50.
It was the fifth win of the year and 20th career victory for Acushla Machree N ($6.40), who is owned by Ray Campbell Jr. and trained by Gretchen Athearn.
Then, in the $20,000 upper-level conditioned pace for the ladies, Royally Hot (Mike Oosting) got away last as Vel Cinderella (Brett Beckwith) led to the half in :55.2. That’s where Joan’srisingstar N (Mitchell Cushing) pulled first-over and brought Royally Hot with her second-over.
As the race passed three-quarters in 1:22.2, Joan’srisingstar N took the lead from Vel Cinderella, but the lurking Royally Hot continued to advance and was ready for the finish. Joan’srisingstar N dug in along the pylons as Royally Hot continued to dig alongside her. The two battled to the line, where only a photo could determine that Royally Hot reached the line first by a nose in 1:50.4.
It was the fifth win of the year for Royally Hot ($5.60), who is owned by Tim Tetrick and trained by Alison Hynes.
Plainridge Park also hosted the first edition of the $15,000 Romper Room on Tuesday, which is a prep race for 2-year-old Massachusetts-bred horses who are eligible for the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes, which starts on Sept. 28. The race was won by Chase News Network (Bettor’s Wish-Hidden Land), a 2-year-old pacing filly who went gate-to-wire in a lifetime best 1:54.
Chase News Network ($2.60) was driven by Brett Beckwith for trainer Matty Medeiros and owner/breeder Jesmeral Stable.
There were two more $100-plus win mutuels at Plainridge Park on Tuesday. First was Bean Shooter (Drew Monti), who went from ninth to first in the stretch, won in 1:53.1, and returned $103.20 for a $2 win bet. Then, Some Attitude (Conny Bonetti) also got away eighth before moving sharply in the outer flow and then dashing clear down the lane under a high line drive to win in 1:55 and pay $126.00 for a $2 ticket.
This is the fourth time since last Thursday (Aug. 13) that there has been a $100-plus win payout at Plainridge.
Drivers Matty Athearn, Brett Beckwith, Mitchell Cushing and Drew Monti all had two wins apiece on Tuesday, as did trainer Gretchen Athearn.
Racing at Plainridge Park will resume on Thursday (Aug. 20) 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.