Moonshine Kisses takes opening day feature at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — Sunny skies and a summer-like 78-degrees greeted a full apron of railbirds who turned out for the first day of the live harness racing meet at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (April 15).

The feature race was the $20,000 Winners-Over pace where track record holder Moonshine Kisses (Sunshine Beach) looked the part very much as he mowed down his competition with an impressive closing kick.

Moonshine Kisses (Drew Campbell) battled Tack Room Chatter (Brett Beckwith) to a 26 flat quarter before Tack Room Chatter finally cleared the front. Now on the point and heading to the half, Tack Room Chatter kept the pedal down as he got to that split in :54.1. Ever Hoping A (Ron Cushing) made his way up the rim and moved into third on the backside but had to endure a 27.4 quarter and parked.

As they headed into the last bend, the top two horses separated and that would quickly change as well. Campbell tipped Moonshine Kisses halfway through the round and took the lead at the top of the stretch by three lengths. As they straightened for home, Moonshine Kisses swelled up and kicked away to the line, up by six to win in 1:49.3.

It was the 54th career victory for the 8-year-old Moonshine Kisses ($3.60) and it pushed his career earnings to $682,379 for owner Kellogg Racing. Jackie Greene trains the winner.

MOONSHINE KISSES REPLAY

In the secondary featured $17,000 conditioned pace, Skyway Victor (Tellitlikeitis) and driver Kevin Switzer and  Hespoisedtopounce A (Matty Athearn) both left and settled first and second respectively as the field rounded the first turn to a :27.3 quarter.

Rolling With Sam (Greg Merton) pulled first-over and moved into second on the outside, forcing a :28 flat third panel. Skyway Victor was stout and held off that challenge around the last turn as the top three stayed positioned well for the stretch drive.

At the top of the lane, Hespoisedtopounce A found room at the pegs and shook loose with a strong burst. He paced furiously to the line, but Skyway Victor was up to the task and closed out the deal by ¼ length, winning in 1:52.2 and taking a new seasonal mark.

Skyway Victor ($4.00) is trained and owned by Mark Eaton, in partnership with Robert Griffin.

SKYWAY VICTOR REPLAY

The red-hot Brett Beckwith had a driving grand slam on Monday’s card and is now only two wins away from victory 1,000 in his very young career. Beckwith has eight chances to get that done at The Ridge on Tuesday (April 16) when live racing resumes at Plainridge Park.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts