In identical fashion to last week’s outing, Westbeach led at every station to claim her second straight win in the $25,000 fillies and mares handicap pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 3).
Bruce Ranger took the lead with Westbeach while Racey Rach N (Mitchell Cushing) drafted in the pocket. After reaching the half in a mild :56.2, Dandys Evrlasting (Matty Athearn) was sent outside from fourth and forced Westbeach to post a faster :27.2 third quarter. As they headed into the turn, Dandys Evrlasting's attack waned and it became a two-horse race between Westbeach and the tripper, Racey Rach N. The mares paced side by side while Ranger and Cushing both rocked all the way down the stretch. The battle lasted right to the line where a photo showed Westbeach hung on to victory by a nose in 1:51.3.
It was the 25th lifetime win for Westbeach ($5.80), who is trained by Ken Koch for owner William Hartt.
The win was the second of the day for Ranger.
There were also a pair of $18,500 conditioned races on Thursday.
In the first, Issac (Shawn Gray) got parked to the quarter in :26.2 by Ucanttouchthis (Brett Beckwith), but eventually cleared and led the rest of the way. After getting to the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:23.2, Issac held off the stretch challenge from Ucanttouchthis and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.3, which was a seasonal mark. Issac is owned by Amy Cable and is trained by Alicia Gray.
Then in the second, JKs Champ (Brett Beckwith) was also parked out in a :26.3 quarter before clearing to take the lead. JKs Champ then maintained a one-length advantage through quarters of :55 and 1:23 before turning for home and extending his lead to 1-1/2 over Sandpiper N (Nick Graffam) to win in 1:52. It was also the second straight win for JKs Champ ($2.80) and owner Robert Rodriguez. Larry Stalbaum was the winning trainer.
Beckwith also ended the day with two winners.
Driver Matty Athearn and trainer Jimmy Nickerson had doubles on Thursday as well.
Live harness racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (Aug. 7) at 4 p.m. and there will be a $10,434 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)