Acushla Machree N powers to 20th career victory

Plainville, MA — On Tuesday (Aug. 18), Acushla Machree N (Vincent) won the $25,000 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares for the fourth time this harness racing season at Plainridge Park and as usual, with a come from behind victory.

Acushla Machree N (Mitchell Cushing) got away fourth early as Swedish Starlet N (Matty Athearn) led to the quarter in :26. But right after that station, Sweet Hayley Jane A (Ron Cushing) pulled quickly and blitzed to the front in a snappy :53.4 half.

At that same time, Acushla Machree N had also moved to the outside and made her way to second in the breeze as they reached three-quarters in 1:21.1. As they moved off the turn, Wilhemena Rita A (Brett Beckwith) joined the fray three-wide and the entire field was also in reach. However Acushla Machree N was in the middle of the track under a full head of steam and rolled to the line on top by a length and won in 1:50.

ACUSHLA MACHREE N REPLAY

It was the fifth win of the year and 20th career victory for Acushla Machree N ($6.40), who is owned by Ray Campbell Jr. and trained by Gretchen Athearn.

Then in the $20,000 upper-level condition paced for the ladies, Royally Hot (Mike Oosting) got away last as Vel Cinderella (Brett Beckwith) led to the half in :55.2. That’s where Joan’srisingstar N (Mitchell Cushing) pulled first-over and brought Royally Hot with her second-over.

As the race passed three-quarters in 1:22.2, Joan’srisingstar N took the lead from Vel Cinderella, but the lurking Royally Hot continued to advance and was ready for the finish. Joan’srisingstar N dug in along the pylons as Royally Hot continued to dig alongside her. The two battled to the line where only a photo could determine that Royally Hot reached the line first by a nose in 1:50.4.

ROYALLY HOT REPLAY

It was the fifth win of the year for Royally Hot ($5.60), who is owned by Tim Tetrick and trained by Alison Hynes.

Plainridge Park also hosted the first edition of the $15,000 Romper Room on Tuesday, which is a prep race for 2-year-old Massachusetts-bred horses who are eligible for the Massachusetts Breeder Stakes which starts on September 28. The race was won by Chase News Network (Bettor’s Wish-Hidden Land), a 2-year-old pacing filly who went gate to wire in a lifetime best, 1:54.

Chase News Network ($2.60) was driven by Brett Beckwith for trainer Matty Medeiros and owner/breeder Jesmeral Stable.

There were two more $100-plus win mutuels at Plainridge Park on Tuesday. First was Bean Shooter (Drew Monti), who went from ninth to first in the stretch, won in 1:53.1 and returned $103.20 for a $2 win bet. Then Some Attitude (Conny Bonetti) also got away eighth before moving sharply in the outer flow and then dashing clear down the lane under a high-line drive to win in 1:55 and pay $126.00 for a $2 ticket.

This is the fourth time since last Thursday (Aug. 13) that there has been a $100-plus win payout at The Ridge.

Drivers Matty Athearn, Brett Beckwith, Mitchell Cushing and Drew Monti all had two wins apiece on Tuesday, as did trainer Gretchen Athearn.

Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4 p.m.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Plainridge Park can always be downloaded at their website (plainridgeparkcasino.com) under the “Racing” tab. You can also watch all the race replays on that same page.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts