by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts

Plainville, MA — Western Stepp regained the top form she exhibited earlier this year at Plainridge Park as she won the $16,000 Winners Over Handicap Pace for fillies and mares on Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 4) at the Ridge.

Tom Melanson photo

Western Stepp won by a half-length in 1:51.4.

Western Stepp (Drew Campbell) flew off the wings and took immediate control of the race, setting fast fractions of :26.4, :55.3 and 1:23. She was prompted for most of the mile by Shesjustadelight N (Ron Cushing) who pulled from third at the quarter and then was parked out and relentlessly pursuing the leader for the rest of the mile.

Western Stepp had a one length advantage on Shesjustadelight N from the three-quarters to the top of the stretch. But as the race charged towards the wire, Shesjustadelight N continued to grind away at the deficit and was making up ground all the way to the wire. However Western Stepp had enough left and held off that challenge along with a late closing Seventimesavirgin (Mitchell Cushing) to win by a half-length in 1:51.4.

It was the seventh win of the year for Western Stepp ($9.80) who has now earned $66,305 for owner Diane Dunn and trainer James Dunn.

Ron Cushing just missed in the main event on Tuesday but he did capture the $12,000 distaff non-winners of six lifetime co-feature. Cushing drove Gimme Some Lovin ($5.40) who took the lead at the quarter and maintained it all the way to the wire before just getting nosed out by Stonebridge Honey (Nick Graffam). But upon further review, Stonebridge Honey was disqualified and placed second for a pylon violation, thus advancing Gimme Some Lovin to the win spot.

Gimme Some Lovin registered her fourth win of the year for owner Anthony Romanelli and trainer Heidi Gibbs.

Drew Campbell and Jimmy Whittemore both had driving doubles on Tuesday leading all other drivers for wins.

Currently Campbell has a commanding lead in the dash win derby for the meet with 112 wins, sitting ahead of Greg Merton with 90, Shawn Gray with 84 and Mitchell Cushing with 57.

Once again there was no winner of the Wicked Hi-5 Pentafecta in the last race on Tuesday and as a result, there is a $9,548 carryover pool on Thursday when live racing resumes at Plainridge Park at 2 p.m.