Ask Queenie had the answer at Plainridge Park

Plainville, MA—The well-travelled Ask Queenie has already won races at Monticello, Yonkers and Saratoga Raceways this year. Now, she can put a Plainridge Park sticker on her trunk as she captured the $12,000 distaff pacing feature here on Tuesday afternoon (April 24).

Ask Queenie (Shawn Gray) settled in mid-pack off the gate as Iced Out (Greg Merton) took early command. But Gray's placid approach quickly changed when he pulled his mare at the eighth pole and made a rush for the front. Hitting the quarter in :27, Ask Queenie was now barking marching orders with the field following in a straight line.

After backing the half off to :56, Stylish Beachwhere (Ron Cushing) and Western Stepp (Drew Campbell) came in the outer flow but were met with a quickening :28 third quarter pace. Rounding the last turn, Stylish Beachwhere stalled, sending Western Stepp three high. But Ask Queenie was still rolling along and stretched out to a three-length advantage. Down the lane Gray tucked the whip and lowered the lines and Ask Queenie was a wrapped-up winner crossing the wire in 1:52.3, which was a new seasonal mark.

Ask Queenie ($3.80) scored her fourth win of the year for owners Edward Hall and James Hall Jr. and trainer Craig Mosher.

In the co-featured $12,000 conditioned pace, Colorful Speech (Nick Graffam) turned a garden-spot trip behind Cruiserwillwin (Greg Merton) into a hard-fought half-length victory in 1:53.4, blowing up the tote board at 40-1.

Colorful Speech ($83.80) scored his first win of the year for owner/trainer Milton Vickerson and triggered big payouts for his supporting bettors. The 1-4 exacta returned $305.20 and the 1-4-3 trifecta paid $2,876.20, both for $2 wagers.

Shawn Gray led all drivers on Tuesday with three wins on the card.

Racing resumes on Thursday (April 26) with post time at 4 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts