Plainville, MA — For the second week in a row, Turn The Page N came from off the pace to capture the $25,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Aug. 20).
Swedish Starlet N (Matty Athearn) was first to the front as Turn The Page N and driver Ron Cushing tucked in fourth. As Swedish Starlet N got to the half in :56, Turn The Page N pulled first-over and advanced to draw alongside the leader at the five-eighths marker.
With the race now a two-horse dash, Swedish Starlet N and Turn The Page N paced furiously stride for stride from three-quarters, around the last turn, and all the way down the stretch before Turn The Page N pulled ahead to win by a half length at the line in 1:50.4 on the strength of a torrid :54.4 back half.
It was the fifth win in eight starts this year for Turn The Page N ($2.60), who is owned by her driver in partnership with Kevin Sywyk. Carlos Rodriguez trains the winner.
It was one of two wins on the card for the tandem of Cushing and Rodriguez.
Earlier, in a $18,500 conditioned pace for for 5-year-olds and under, Goliath Hanover (Brett Beckwith) took a quick lead off the gate and set solid fractions of :26.4, :55.4 and 1:24.2 before rounding the last turn and heading into the stretch, where he held off strong challenges from Sweet Jeff IR (Nick Graffam) and Maggie At Bat (Matty Athearn) to win by a length in 1:52.1.
It was the second straight win at Plainridge and the third win in the last four starts for Goliath Hanover ($2.40), who is owned by Triple D Stables and trained by Mark Beckwith.
Bruce Ranger led all drivers on Tuesday with three wins.
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Aug. 22) with post time at 4 p.m.