Fourth Of July fireworks on the track at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — A pair of $15,000 conditioned paces separated by gender were contested as the marquee races at Plainridge Park on Monday (July 4) and both harness racing events produced performances worthy of fireworks over a track rated as wet-fast.

In the first split, a field of fillies and mares lined up and saw Howdoyalikeit go the mile of her life.

A List Girl (Kevin Switzer Jr.) called the shots off the gate while Howdoyalikeit (Matty Athearn) dropped in second from post five for the trip. After watching A List Girl cut quarters of :27.1, :55.3 and 1:23.1, Howdoyalikeit continued to track from second through the last turn and until the seven-eighths when Athearn tipped and started an aggressive assault on the front-runner. Howdoyalikeit paced furiously to the line where she caught A List Girl by a neck to win in 1:51.4 and take a new lifetime mark.

It was the second win of the year for Howdoyalikeit ($13.20) who is owned by Jesse De Long and trained by Jimmy Nickerson.

HOWDOYALIKEIT REPLAY

It was one of three wins on the card for Athearn.

Then the boys went to post in the second event that Sandpiper N would eventually win by a narrow margin in a thrilling finish.

Sandpiper N (Nick Graffam) left from post four and had a two-length lead at the quarter over Out To Get Lucky (Drew Campbell) and Rodman (Matty Athearn). After the field reached the half in a tepid :57, Rodman pulled and went after the leader, while Out To Get Lucky opted to remain in the garden spot. Rodman continued to close ground on Sandpiper N to three-quarters and by the top of the stretch, was only one-half length behind.

But as they paced towards the line, the pylon path opened up and Out To Get Lucky shook loose. Out To Get Lucky made up a quick 1-½ lengths in the stretch but came up just short as Sandpiper N hung on to win by a mere nose in 1:52.1, which was his career best time.

Sandpiper N ($4.80), who won four straight races before finishing third last week, got back on the winning track for owner/trainer Kathleen Brewer.

SANDPIPER N REPLAY

Graffam also finished the afternoon with a hat trick in the bike.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. joined Athearn and Graffam in the “triple club” after winning with At My Peak (1:53.2, $4.80), Vel Foxy Stevie (1:53.3, $5.20) and Paddy All Day (1:54.1, $12.20) while 11 different trainers each won one race during the afternoon.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday (July 6) at 4 p.m. and there will be a $1,278 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts