Lone mare beats male rivals at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — Seaside Tina (Downbytheseaside) made a splash in the $17,000 featured harness racing pace at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (May 21) as the only mare in the field of seven who beat the boys in convincing fashion and took a new seasonal mark in the process.

Kevin Switzer Jr. made his way to the front with Seaside Tina in :26.2 and kept the pedal to the metal from there.

After getting to the half in :55.2 and three-quarters in 1:23.2, Seaside Tina had opened up a three-length advantage while Mach Seelster (Brett Beckwith) worked hard on the outside to try and catch the leader. Mach Seelster cut his deficit in half around the last turn and entered the home run only 1-1/2 lengths behind. But that was as close as he would get as Seaside Tina surfed to the line on top in 1:51.2.

It was the third win in the last five starts for the heavily favored Seaside Tina ($3.80) who is owned and trained by Mark Eaton.

SEASIDE TINA REPLAY

Later in the $14,000 conditioned pace, the 1-9 favorite Sweet Jeff Ir (Sweet Lou) with driver Nick Graffam made a three-wide move at three-quarters and drew alongside the front running Andy Mac Hanover (Matty Athearn) as they headed into the lane. After much resistance from Andy Mac Hanover, Sweet Jeff Ir made his way to the front and won by a length in 1:53, which was a new lifetime mark.

Sweet Jeff Ir ($2.10) is owned by Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi and trained by Joe Nelson.

SWEET JEFF IR REPLAY

Brett Beckwith led all drivers on Tuesday with three wins and Jolene Andrews was the top trainer with two tallies Tuesday.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (May 23) with post time at 4 p.m. and the card will feature a $7,483 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