Western Stepp a runaway at Plainridge Park
June 19, 2018,by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts
Plainville, MA — Western Stepp has been one of the tougher distaff performers at Plainridge Park this year, winning two out of her last four in Massachusetts while finishing second as many times, all in top class competition. However, she was in a league of her own Tuesday afternoon (June 19), as she simply routed her foes in the $14,000 Winners-Over Handicap for fillies and mares on Plainridge’s speedy five-eighths-mile oval.
Tom Melanson photo
Western Stepp proved dominant among pacing mares on Tuesday afternoon at Plainridge Park.
The race was over when the gate released the ladies, because Western Stepp (Drew Campbell) was on top in a flash. From that point on, she maintained a gapped advantage over the scratch-shortened field while stopping the clock incrementally at :26.2, :56 and 1:23.1.
Western Stepp easily opened up a six-length lead on her own coming off the far turn and Campbell gave her a line tap to let her know she was still in a race. She perked her ears, switched her gears and paced strongly into the lane. Campbell glanced over his left shoulder, saw no threat in sight and wrapped up the winner while sitting chilly, crossing the wire in 1:51.3.
The time was a new lifetime mark for Western Stepp, eclipsing the 1:52.1 clocking she set just last week.
Western Stepp ($6.00) now has five wins and $39,285 made in 2018 for owner-trainer James Dunn.
The first division of the “2008 Celts” $10,000 claiming series for fillies and mares was contested on Tuesday, and Empty Gesture (Shawn Gray) took an early lead that she would never relinquish en route to a 1:53.1 win. It was the second straight win and a new seasonal mark for Empty Gesture ($3.20), who is owned by William Emmons and trained by Jeff Lieberman.
Drew Campbell had a driving triple on the card while Shawn Gray directed two home himself.
Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (June 21) at 4 p.m.