Surreal Spirit bounces back with career-best victory

Plainville, MA — The 3-year-old pacing filly Surreal Spirit (So Surreal) was the third leading points-getter in the New York Sire Stake series this year and started in the $300,000 final on September 12. But after getting parked the better part of the mile, she made an unfortunate break. However 19-days later, Surreal Spirit was back on her game at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Oct. 1) and won the featured $19,000 pace for 5-year-old and under participants and did it with a lifetime best harness racing performance. 

Surreal Spirit (Jeff Gragory) got away second behind No Guts No Glory (Kevin Switzer Jr.), who passed the quarter in :27.3. But just before they straightened out for the first time, Surreal Spirit tipped back out and took over control well before they reached the half. Surreal Spirit continued to pace handily up the backstretch, where Gracies Tough Guy (Michael Oosting) moved first-over from fifth and paced her way to second at three-quarters. As they moved through the turn, Surreal Spirit responded to the challenge and pulled ahead by two lengths as they approached the top of the stretch. And from there, Surreal Spirit was under a snug grip from Gregory and went on to win in 1:52 as the only filly in the race, and take her new lifetime mark.

SURREAL SPIRIT REPLAY

The heavily-backed Surreal Spirit ($3.00) is owned by Edmund Namiotka Jr., Carol Namiotka and Mrs. Linda Mund and trained by her driver, Jeff Gregory.

There was also a $17,000 upper-level conditioned trot on the card that was won by Feeling Optimistic (Jimmy Hardy), who got away fifth behind Wall Street Edge (Jay Randall), who led through quarters of :27.4, :57 and 1:25.1 to three-quarters, where Feeling Optimistic was third-over and only three lengths behind, in an outer flow led by Consus Victory (Michael Oosting). Positions remained unchanged through the turn until Just Roxy (Matty Athearn) tipped three-wide and Feeling Optimistic went four-deep, both in chase of Wall Street Edge. As they trotted down the lane, Feeling Optimistic found another gear and flew past everyone to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.3, just 1/5th off a second off his lifetime mark.

Feeling Optimistic ($10.80) is owned by Moni Talks and trained by Kyle Athearn.

Feeling Optimistic was only one of three wins for Hardy during the card, making him the day’s winningest driver.

Then is the $17,000 conditioned trot for 5-year-olds and under, Jeffrey Neal (Brett Beckwith) remained the hottest horse currently at The Ridge after he extended his winning streak to four. Jeffrey Neal went right to the front and never looked back. After posting splits of :28.2, :57.1 and 1:25 with Ponda Rocky (Nick Graffam) trying to make an impact on the outside during the third quarter, Jeffrey Neal turned for home and held off a late rush from the pocket-sitting Chapter Of Life (Jay Randall) by only a quarter length to win in 1:54, which was a career best clocking.

Jeffrey Neal ($4.40) is owned by K R Breeding and Robert Rudolf and trained by Domenico Cecere.

There was a big payoff in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in the ninth race. The single unique combination of 5/2/3/4/7 returned $8,606.42 for the 20-cent wager.

Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Friday (Oct. 2) at 2 p.m. It’s the first of five Friday cards that will be run through the end of October.

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