Sundown Kid goes down the road at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — Entering the final week of harness racing at Plainridge Park, the final $25,000 male pacing feature was held on Monday (Nov. 21) and Sundown Kid (Sunshine Beach) was the man after going gate to wire on the chooch in a stiff wind on a cold afternoon.

After two weeks sitting back, Matty “Ice” Athearn left the gate with Sundown Kid and put him in his happy place – the front end dictating the pace. With Mansome (Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Always A Miki (Drew Campbell) following intently behind, Sundown Kid marched off quarters of :27.1, :57.1 and 1:25.2 when Bag Pipe Major (Pat Curtain) joined the party on the outside.

Undeterred by the conditions or impending pressure, Sundown Kid rounded the last turn and held off all comers to the wire where he won by one-half length in 1:54.

Sundown Kid ($6.60) claimed his seventh victory of the year for owners Kevin Gee, Robert Kopack and Randy Bickmore, who also does the training.

SUNDOWN KID REPLAY

The venerable 10-year-old Grand Galop Semalou ($26.80) notched his 60th lifetime win for owner Lawrence Huckins. Dan Deslandes also trains the gelding.

GRAND GALOP SEMALOU REPLAY

Kevin Switzer Jr. had the hot hand in the bike on Monday, winning four races during the afternoon. Trainers Candace Brandstatter and Elisha Lafreniere both had two wins to top all conditioners.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Nov. 22) with post time at 1 p.m. Please note that there will be no racing at The Ridge this Thursday (Nov. 24) due to the Thanksgiving holiday. However, a full card of live harness racing will be held on Friday (Nov. 25) at 1 p.m. to end the 2022 meet. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website and clicking the “Racing” tab.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts