Betterb Chevron N better than Open mare rivals

Plainville, MA — After making a muscle move at the three-quarter pole, Betterb Chevron N (Bettor’s Delight) paced home much the best in the $20,000 fillies and mares Open Pace harness racing feature at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (June 14).

After an early front-end skirmish between three horses for control, Adashious Hanover (Luke Hanners) ended up on the point in front of the stands after a quick :26.3 quarter. But it would be no rest for the weary as post time favorite Betterb Chevron N (Matty Athearn) was already rolling up on the outside ready to challenge the leader as the race headed into turn two.

Adashious Hanover and Betterb Chevron N matched strides up the backstretch with the latter getting the advantage at the three-quarters in 1:22.4 under heavy urging from Athearn. Betterb Chevron N cleared, opened up a 1-½ length advantage and then maintained that lead all the way to the wire where she won in a personal season’s best of 1:51.2.

It was the sixth win of the year for Betterb Chevron N ($3.00) and owner William Hartt, who has now been enriched by $82,380 this year from her efforts. Lance Hudson trains the winner.

BETTERB CHEVRON N REPLAY

Also on the card were three conditioned paces that went for $15,000 each.

In the first, Roll With Joe mare Pammy Jo (Shawn Gray) took the lead past the :26.4 quarter and held sway for the rest of the mile. As the race headed down the stretch she held off late challenges from six horses who fanned across the track but hung on to win in 1:52.3. Pammy Jo ($15.80) is owned and trained by Alicia Gray.

The next saw Bettor’s Delight gelding Tisadream N (Drew Monti) take command at the quarter and back the half down to :56. There, Finnbar (Jay Randall) came first-over and pushed the issue to the three quarters. But Tisadream N put him away and paced home to a 2-½ length victory in another season’s best time of 1:51.2. Tisadream N ($4.20) is owned by Tony Gruppo and Tim Bojarski and is trained by Jimmy Nickerson.

In the last of the three, He’s Watching mare Siri Blue Chip (Luke Hanners) sat second behind Mexican Hanover (Drew Monti) through fractions of :27.1, 56.1 and 1:24 and then right to the head of the stretch. That’s when Hanners popped the pocket and came at the leader. Siri Blue Chip dug in deep, made up the deficit and won by a nose in a lifetime best 1:53. Siri Blue Chip ($9.20) is owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and Scott Dillon and is trained by Joe Nelson.

Shawn Gray was the top reinsman on Tuesday, scoring a grand slam on the card. Aside from Pammy Jo, he also won with Delightful Virgin, Althea and Working Them Angels. It was lady’s day on the training side as Alicia Gray and Elisha Lafreniere each scored two wins as well.

There is a large and growing carryover of $21,998 available in the sixth race Wicked Hi-5 wager when live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (June 16) with post time at 4 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website at plainridgeparkcasino.com and clicking the “Racing” tab.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts