Plainville, MA — Swedish Starlet N (Mach Three) got off to a quick start and then led at every station en route to victory in the $25,000 fillies and mares Open pacing harness racing feature at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (July 30) afternoon.
Driver Matty “Ice” Athearn bolted to the front off the gate with Swedish Starlet N and tripped the fractional timers in :27.3 and :57.1 at the half. As the race made its way onto the backstretch, Dandy’s Everlasting (Nick Graffam) pulled first-over from third and Turn The Page (Ron Cushing) quickly followed her cover.
After passing three-quarters in 1:25, Swedish Starlet N still maintained a length advantage as they into the last turn over Dandy’s Everlasting and Turn The Page, who then tipped three-deep as they entered the stretch. Heading down the lane, Swedish Starlet N was in full flight and closed out the mile with a :27.3 sprint to hold off Turn The Page by one-half length and win in 1:52.3.
The ninth win of the year for Swedish Starlet N ($7.60) pushed her earnings to $103,030 this year for owners Tim Bojarski and Tony Gruppo. Jimmy Nickerson trains the winner.
SWEDISH STARLET N REPLAY
Later in the secondary featured $20,000 upper-level conditioned pace for female participants, Seaside Tina (Downbytheseaside) and driver Kevin Switzer Jr. also made every call a winning after taking the lead off the gate and skating through fractions of :26.2, :55 3 and 1:22.4, while Ry’s Red Rocket (Bruce Ranger) and Checkpoint Chatter (Jimmy Hardy) fought hard in chase.
As they made their way to the line, Seaside Tina stayed tough and turned back the late closing Quarrel (Jay Randall) to win by one length in a season’s best, 1:51.
Seaside Tina ($2.80) is owned by her trainer Mark Eaton, in partnership with Robert Griffin.
SEASIDE TINA REPLAY
Seaside Tina was the third win of the day for Switzer.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts