Randall sweeps Plainridge features

Plainville, MA — Plainridge Park’s third leading harness racing dash driver, Jay Randall added to his numbers on Thursday (Nov. 10) after winning the top two trots of the week at The Ridge.

First, he took the $25,000 upper-level conditioned event with Vernon Downs shipper Bourbon Express (RC Royalty), who went down the road and refused to be caught.

Bourbon Express took the lead from post five and set quarters of :27.3, :57 and 1:25.1 before taking a two length lead over Angel Nation (Brett Beckwith) into the last turn. When the trotters straightened out for home, Bourbon Express just kept on going and won by three lengths at the light in 1:54.

Owned by Sal Vullo, James De Armond and his trainer Jessica Okusko, Bourbon Express returned $8.20 to his backers in the mild upset.

BOURBON EXPRESS REPLAY

Then Randall came right back in the next race with Mrmayor Hanover (Explosive Matter) to win the $20,000 conditioned trot in similarly easy fashion.

Mrmayor Hanover had to wait outside for Storm Bringer (Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Billy B (Wally Watson) to settle their argument for the front before he himself would rush the point and become commander of fractions. Once there, Mrmayor Hanover led by mostly a two length advantage all the way to the stretch and then finished the job under wraps and still up by two at the line in 1:56.

It was the second win in a row for Mrmayor Hanover ($2.80) who is owned by Marc Reynolds and Rick Cortese and was one of three wins on the day for leading trainer Jimmy Nickerson.

MRMAYOR HANOVER REPLAY

Brett Beckwith topped all reinsmen on Thursday copping a hat trick during the afternoon.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (Nov. 14) with post time at 1 p.m. and there will be a sizable carryover of $5,398 in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in the sixth race for value-seeking punters. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website and clicking the “Racing” tab.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts