Driver Matty “Ice” Athearn and trainer Jimmy Nickerson had a big day at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 17) as they combined for a grand slam during the card, including wins in the top two feature events. The four wins were consecutive for Nickerson’s trainees as they competed in races four, five, seven and nine.
The $25,000 distaff Winners-Over Handicap Pace was the headline race and Dandys Evrlasting won it for the second consecutive week.
Athearn took Dandys Evrlasting off the gate to last and watched as Rys Red Rocket (Bruce Ranger) set the pace. After getting to the half in :55, Booraa N (Ron Cushing) and Toodles Hanover (Nick Graffam) came in the outer flow, keeping the short field of six within four lengths of each other at three-quarters. The group paced into the last turn in the same order, but Athearn tipped Dandys Evrlasting three-wide at the apex of the bend and she was in full gear. With the field now five across the stretch, Dandys Evrlasting barrelled down the lane and passed everyone to score a three-quarter length victory in 1:51.3.
It was a career best matching eighth win of the year for Dandys Evrlasting ($5.80) and it pushed her earnings to $102,000 this year for owners Dandy Farms Racing and Ft. Racing Stable. Her eighth tally also made her the winningest horse at the 2023 Plainridge meet to this point.
Then in the $18,500 upper-level pace, Athearn and Nickerson scored with Always A Miki, who led from gate to wire. Starting from post one, Always A Miki shot to the lead and posted quarters of :27, :56.1 and 1:23.3 before anyone made a meaningful move. Jo Pas Warrior (Mitchell Cushing) was advancing first-over and got to within one-half length of the leader at three-quarters, but that was as close as he’d get. When the race turned for home, Always A Miki kicked away to a 2-1/4 length lead and won easily in 1:51.2.
It was the third win in the last five starts for Always A Miki ($11). who is owned by Joe Trice.
Athearn and Nickerson completed their tear with wins by I Spy N (1:53, $18) and No Soup Tonight (1:54.1, $12.20).
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (Aug. 21) at 4 p.m. and there will be a $7,976 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)