Handlelikeaporsche delivers big upset

Plainville, MA — After following live cover through the second half of the race, Handlelikeaporsche accelerated late to win the $25,000 Open Handicap pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (April 28) afternoon at 21-1.

Grey Horizon (Drew Monti) played hardball off the gate, grabbing the lead and seating Mr. Mcclaren N (Larry Stalbaum) and Mullinax (Shawn Gray) while zooming to the half in :54.2. At that station, Nick Graffam tipped Handlelikeaporsche from fifth and flushed Mullinax, who ran down Grey Horizon for the next quarter mile while also providing live cover for Handlelikeaporsche.

HANDLELIKEAPORSCHE REPLAY

Mullinax and Grey Horizon were on near even terms through the last turn until Mullinax pulled ahead at the top of the lane. That’s where Graffam stepped on the gas and drove Handlelikeaporsche three deep down the lane. Handlelikeaporsche took command and held off the fast closing What’s Stanley Got A (Cory Stratton) and Vicious (Kevin Switzer Jr.) to win by one-half length in 1:51.

Handlelikeaporsche ($45.40) is owned by Pollack Racing and trained by Melissa Beckwith.

Later in the $22,000 Open II pace, Borninlockdown GB (Kevin Switzer Jr.) took an early lead and never looked back. After setting quarters of :27.2, :56.1 and 1:23.3, Borninlockdown GB turned for home and cruised on top by two in 1:51.

Borninlockdown GB ($3.40) is owned by Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi and trained by Joe Nelson.

BORNINLOCKDOWN GB REPLAY

Drivers Matty Athearn, Nick Graffam and Kevin Switzer Jr. all had three wins apiece along with trainer Gretchen Athearn, who ended the day with two victories for her stable.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (April 30) 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