by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts
Plainville, MA — Western Stepp, steered by a patient Drew Campbell, sat tight in the mile before shaking loose late to head her competitors in a three-horse photo and win the featured $14,000 Fillies and Mares Winners-Over pace at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (May 8).
Tom Melanson photo
Western Stepp captures the feature event at Plainridge Park on Tuesday.
Iced Out (Greg Merton) cut the mile from the start but was quickly greeted by a strong outer flow at the half with Dandy’s Beauty (Chris Long), Stylish Beachwear (Nick Graffam) and Ask Queenie (Shawn Gray) all on the move as they passed that station in :56.1. Western Stepp sat on the pylons behind the leader and watched the action while well covered.
The outside contenders continued to press the issue up the backstretch, around the last turn and to the top of the lane, but Iced Out was relentless and Western Stepp was desperately looking for racing room. That room came mid-stretch when Campbell pulled out around Iced Out and outpaced that one to the wire to win by a head in 1:53.2.
It was the third win in nine 2018 starts for Western Step ($18.20) who is owned and trained by James Dunn.
In the co-featured $12,000 conditioned pacing event, Deo Galileo ($4.60) got away third before pulling first-over past the half, taking the lead in the stretch and eventually winning by two-lengths in 1:53.4. Campbell also drove this winner, in a lifetime best effort, for owner/trainer Milt Vickerson.
Drew Campbell also had two more winners on the day with Grand Dad Joe ($16.20, 1:54.2) and Strings ($3.00, 1:54.2) giving himself a driving grand slam on the card.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday with first post at 4 p.m.