Plainville, MA — Continuing to add numbers to the best year of her career, Skylar Hanover won the $17,500 featured condition pace for fillies and mares at Plainridge Park on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 23) in easy fashion.

Driver Drew Monti floated Skylar Hanover off the gate while Miss Trickster (driven by Nick Graffam) took the lead in the turn. Then Skylar Hanover got in gear and brushed to the front just past the :27.1 quarter. From that point on, she had things her own way. With little resistance from behind, Skylar Hanover made her way to the half in :56.4 and three-quarters in 1:24.4, and then began to separate from the field. By the top of the stretch, she opened up a two-length advantage, and under Monti wraps, cruised to the line to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:53.

Skylar Hanover, all alone at the end of Sunday’s featured distaff pace at Plainridge Park, anchored hat tricks for both driver Drew Monti and trainer Jimmy Nickerson. Tom Melanson photo.

It was the fifth win in the last seven starts and ninth overall in 2022 for Skylar Hanover, whom Jimmy Nickerson trains for owners Eric Walstrom and David DeMartino. She paid $2.80 to win.

Monti and Nickerson both had big days in their respective categories as they each had a trio of winners during the afternoon. They also combined with Calvin B (1:53.3, $7.60), who got his 56th career win. Monti also won with Steal My Thunder (1:55.1, $43.80) for trainer Dan Tuccillo Jr., while Nickerson won with Sweet Sally Sue (1:52.3, $3.20) who was 8-1/4 lengths clear at the wire with Bruce Ranger in the bike.

When live racing resumes at Plainridge Park at 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon (Oct. 24), eight $125,000 finals of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes will go to post during “Million Dollar Monday.” For fans attending live, there will also be a free $5,000 Survivor handicapping contest sponsored by the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts and Plainridge Park. There is also a large carryover of $12,560 in the Jackpot Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta, offered in the sixth race. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website.