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Always Bstunning N scores again in Plainridge distaff
By Tim Bojarski for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts
(Photos courtesy of Tom Melanson)
Plainville, MA — For the second week in a row, Always Bstunning N captured the $25,000 Open Handicap for fillies and mares at Plainridge Park on Thursday (July 17) afternoon on the strength of a game stretch drive.
Always Bstunning N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) got away last as Swedish Starlet N (Matty Athearn) marched smartly on the lead through quarters of :27 and :55.4. At the half, Side Piece (Drew Monti) moved first over and pushed a :27 flat third panel while Always Bstunning N drafted behind her, one out and one back, to three-quarters.
As the race made its way through the last turn, Swedish Starlet N put away Side Piece, but was bracing for Always Bstunning N, who was now three-wide and pacing up a storm. At the top of the stretch, Always Bstunning N and Swedish Starlet N hooked up and were pacing stride for stride all the way to the wire before Always Bstunning N got the advantage by a head and won in 1:51.2.
It was the sixth win of the year for Always Bstunning N ($4.40) who is owned by Richard Poillucci and trained by Gretchen Athearn.
Earlier in the $19,500 conditioned pace for 5-year-olds and under, Bartertown (Aaron Byron) sat at the cones mid-pack as Joy In Mudville (Matty Athearn), Jackson Cooper (Nick Graffam) and What’s For Suppaah (Bruce Ranger) traded leads before reaching three-quarters in 1:21.4. When the field came off the far turn, Bartertown found room, shook loose from the group and barreled down the center of the track to snag the win by one-half length in a new lifetime mark of 1:50.4.
Upsetting the punters at 27-1, Bartertown ($57.40) registered his fifth win of the year for owner Dragon Tales Farm and trainer Michelle Crawford.
Mitchell Cushing had a driving triple on Thursday while trainer Randy Bickmore won two races of his own.
Live racing will resume on Sunday (July 20) when Plainridge Park will host the biggest day of racing in New England. The Grand Circuit returns featuring the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot and $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace. Post time for this outstanding day of harness action gets underway at 2 p.m.
Free full past performance programs and race replays for all live racing days at Plainridge Park can be found at plainridgeparkcasino.com.
By Tim Bojarski for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts
(Photos courtesy of Tom Melanson)
Plainville, MA — For the second week in a row, Always Bstunning N captured the $25,000 Open Handicap for fillies and mares at Plainridge Park on Thursday (July 17) afternoon on the strength of a game stretch drive.
Always Bstunning N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) got away last as Swedish Starlet N (Matty Athearn) marched smartly on the lead through quarters of :27 and :55.4. At the half, Side Piece (Drew Monti) moved first over and pushed a :27 flat third panel while Always Bstunning N drafted behind her, one out and one back, to three-quarters.
As the race made its way through the last turn, Swedish Starlet N put away Side Piece, but was bracing for Always Bstunning N, who was now three-wide and pacing up a storm. At the top of the stretch, Always Bstunning N and Swedish Starlet N hooked up and were pacing stride for stride all the way to the wire before Always Bstunning N got the advantage by a head and won in 1:51.2.
It was the sixth win of the year for Always Bstunning N ($4.40) who is owned by Richard Poillucci and trained by Gretchen Athearn.
Earlier in the $19,500 conditioned pace for 5-year-olds and under, Bartertown (Aaron Byron) sat at the cones mid-pack as Joy In Mudville (Matty Athearn), Jackson Cooper (Nick Graffam) and What’s For Suppaah (Bruce Ranger) traded leads before reaching three-quarters in 1:21.4. When the field came off the far turn, Bartertown found room, shook loose from the group and barreled down the center of the track to snag the win by one-half length in a new lifetime mark of 1:50.4.
Upsetting the punters at 27-1, Bartertown ($57.40) registered his fifth win of the year for owner Dragon Tales Farm and trainer Michelle Crawford.
Mitchell Cushing had a driving triple on Thursday while trainer Randy Bickmore won two races of his own.
Live racing will resume on Sunday (July 20) when Plainridge Park will host the biggest day of racing in New England. The Grand Circuit returns featuring the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot and $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace. Post time for this outstanding day of harness action gets underway at 2 p.m.
Free full past performance programs and race replays for all live racing days at Plainridge Park can be found at plainridgeparkcasino.com.
