Plainridge track record tied in Open Pace

Plainville, MA — Big Skewy N (Sportswriter) shipped into Plainridge Park from the Mohegan Sun Pocono on Tuesday afternoon (June 18) and tied the track record for aged pacing geldings after he scorched the track in 1:49.2 in the co-featured $20,000 Open Handicap pace for horses and geldings.

Big Skewy N (Drew Monti), at odds of 11-1, got away sixth from post eight as Alex Having Fun (Bruce Ranger) took the lead past the :27 quarter. Alex Having Fun then got to the half in :54.4 when Big Skewy N pulled first-over to get in the mix.

Alex Having Fun maintained a two-length advantage as they motored past three-quarters, but Big Skewy N was rolling and making up ground. When they reached the top of the stretch, Big Skewy N drew alongside Alex Having Fun and the pair paced in unison. Monti raised the lines and let Big Skewy N do the rest and he won by one-quarter length in 1:49.2.

Big Skewy N ($24.40) is owned by Arrhythmic and is trained by Scott Blackler.

BIG SKEWY N REPLAY

In the co-featured $20,000 Open Handicap for fillies and mares, Arizona (Up The Credit, Brett Beckwith) went the mile of her life.

Arizona grabbed the lead at the :26.1 quarter from Swedish Starlet N (Matty Athearn) who then followed the leader to the half in :54.2. As the race approached the five-eighths, Swedish Starlet N pulled first over in pursuit of the leader as the ladies crossed three-quarters in 1:21.4.

When the race spun out of the final bend, Swedish Starlet N was out and making up ground on Arizona with every stride and the pair battled to the wire where Arizona was stout and hung on to win by a neck in 1:50.2 and take a new lifetime mark.

Arizona ($3.20) is owned by Wendy Warren Timpano and trained by Mark Beckwith.

ARIZONA REPLAY

Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers with three wins on the card.

Racing for Thursday (June 20) at Plainridge Park has been canceled due to the extreme heat currently enveloping the northeast. However live racing will resume at The Ridge on Monday (June 24) with post time at 4 p.m.

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

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts