The 10-year-old Sailor Jerry may have been the oldest horse in the race, but he schooled his younger rivals after showing a great closing kick over an off-track to capture the $25,000 pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 1).
It took some work but Sundown Kid (Matty Athearn) made his way to the front past the :26.2 quarter, however, he had little time for a breather as the next challenge came before the half. That's where Bag Pipe Major (Kevin Switzer Jr.) made his way into the mix first-over in the breeze with Sailor Jerry (Nick Graffam) quietly following his cover.
Bag Pipe Major methodically advanced towards Sundown Kid up the backside and when they hit three-quarters in 1:23.1, he drew alongside the leader into the far turn. These two kept battling into the stretch where the field bunched quickly with five horses within reach of the win. But it was Sailor Jerry in the middle of the track who bolted to the top just before the line and won by a head in 1:52.1.
Sailor Jerry ($23.40) got his sixth win of the year from 20 starts for owners Chris Hamilton and Mike Graffam, who also does the training.
In the co-featured $19,250 conditioned pace, Mansome (Kevin Switzer Jr.) tracked second behind Vel Mr. Nice Guy (Nick Graffam) through quarters of :26.3, :55.3 and 1:23.2 before tipping off cover at the head of the lane where he swelled up and paced away to a 4-1/2 length win in 1:52.2. It was the sixth win of the year for Mansome ($6.80) and his owners Bruce Weinstein and Elisha Lafreniere, who also trains the winner.
Drivers Brett Beckwith, Drew Monti and Kevin Switzer Jr. all had doubles on Tuesday.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Nov. 3) with post time at 1 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)