Switzer Jr. wins half the card at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — Kevin Switzer Jr. is the fourth winningest harness racing driver at the current Plainridge Park meet and on Friday (Nov. 8), he added to his numbers in a big way by scoring a natural grand slam in races four through seven, giving him harness racing victories in four of the eight races on the card.

That seventh race was the $25,000 Open feature of the day for fillies and mares and Switzer guided Seaside Tina (Downbytheseaside) to the victory.

It was a four horse dash for the lead off the gate that saw Seaside Tina take control at the :26.1 quarter. As the race proceeded to the half in :54.2, Swedish Starlet N (Matty Athearn) was first to pull and made her way to second at three-quarters. There, the top two ladies were joined by Side Piece (Brett Beckwith), who brushed three-wide and was just about even with the leaders.

From the top of the turn to the top of the stretch, Seaside Tina, Swedish Starlet N and Side Piece paced three abreast and in unison and when they straightened for home, Jenden Strike A (Ron Cushing) joined the fray at the pegs to make it a quartet. With four mares all having a shot to win near the wire, Seaside Tina nosed out Swedish Starlet N at the line in 1:52.1 with Side Piece and Jenden Strike A only a neck behind.

Seaside Tina ($6.80) is owned by her trainer Mark Eaton, in partnership with Robert Griffin.

SEASIDE TINA REPLAY

Switzer completed his four bagger with Ideal Skies (1:56, $14.00), Lunar Credit (1:58.3, $5.60) and Wildcat Antonia (1:54.4, $37.80).

Earlier in the $20,000 mid-level distaff conditioned event, Maggie At Bat (Rockin Image, Matty Athearn) struck the lead, marched off quarters of :28, :58 and 1:26.1 before turning for home with a three length advantage and crossing the line in 1:55.1.

Maggie At Bat ($4.40) is owned by Joe Hayes Jr. and trained by Jimmy Nickerson.

MAGGIE AT BAT REPLAY

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (Nov. 11) at 1 p.m. and there will be an $1,506 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in race six.

Free full past performance programs for all live racing days at Plainridge Park can be downloaded from their website under the “racing” tab.

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

by Tim Bojarski, for Plainridge Park