The Wild Card was no joker

Plainville, MA — The Wild Card (Bettor’s Delight) started slow but finished fast and got the last laugh as he captured the $18,500 pacing harness racing feature at Plainridge Park on Monday (July 29) afternoon.

Driver Nick Graffam got away last with The Wild Card as Alex Having Fun (Bruce Ranger) made his way to the front to cut the mile. After setting fractions of :26 and :54.3 to the half, Alex Having Fun found no opposition and maintained a two-length advantage as they headed up the backstretch.

Before they reached three quarters, Ever Hoping A (Ron Cushing) moved to the outside and The Wild Card picked up the live tow into the last turn. When they straightened out for home, Graffam tipped The Wild Card into the middle of the track, circled the field and dealt his backers a winning hand as he hit the line on top by 1-½ lengths in 1:50.4, taking a new seasonal mark.

The Wild Card ($3.60) is owned by Scott Dillon and trained by Joe Nelson.

THE WILD CARD REPLAY

Graffam ended the day as the leading driver after winning a total of three races on the card. Nelson also led all trainers with two wins at the end of the day.

In the secondary featured $16,000 upper-level conditioned pace, Tulhurstsantanna A (Santanna Blue Chip) and driver Shawn Gray took a quick lead and never gave it up. After tripping the timer in :26.2, :55 and 1:23, Tulhurstsantanna A turned for home with a two-length lead and broke the beam in 1:51.1 to set a new seasonal mark.

It was the 40th lifetime win for Tulhurstsantanna A ($7.40), who is owned by Mark Jakubic and trained by Alicia Gray.

TULHURSTSANTANNA A REPLAY

Shawn Gray drove two winners on Monday, as did Matty Athearn and Kevin Switzer Jr.

Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (July 30) with post time at 4 p.m. and the card will feature a $2,248 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 in race six.

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

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts