Saratoga invader takes new mark in Plainridge Open

Plainville, MA — After winning four of her last five harness racing starts at Saratoga Raceway, Clover (Sportswriter) headed a couple hours east on the 90 to Massachusetts and captured the $20,000 Open Handicap for fillies and mares at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (June 6) in a new personal best clocking.

Clover (Brett Beckwith) sat fourth as Racey Rach N (Mitchell Cushing) and Seaside Tina (Jay Randall) traded leads in the first quarter that went :26.2. Once on the point, Seaside Tina kept rolling to the half in :54.3 before Beckwith sent Clover first-over on the backside, heading towards three-quarters.

Clover drew even with Seaside Tina as they entered the last turn and by the time they straightened for home, she had taken a short lead. As the race made its way down the lane, the field began to bunch with everyone within 2-½ lengths of the leader. But Clover held off the charge and won by one-half length in 1:50.4 to take a new lifetime mark.

It was the seventh win of the year for Clover ($9.60) who is owned by Howard Jacobs and trained by Mark Beckwith.

CLOVER REPLAY

Earlier in the $14,000 conditioned event for 5-year-olds and under, Er Griffin (Riggins) and driver Shawn Gray were fourth at the quarter but took the lead before the half and then directed the troops from there out. After stopping the clock at :54.4 at the half and 1:23.2 at three-quarters, Er Griffin turned back a strong late brush from the tripping Social Drinker (Brett Beckwith) in deep stretch to win by a head in 1:51.2 to take a new lifetime mark.

Er Griffin ($4.20) is owned by his trainer Mike Eaton, in partnership with Robert Mc Hugh, Robert Griffin and Russell young. It was also the first of two training wins for Mike Eaton.

ER GRIFFIN REPLAY

Drivers Matty Athearn, Shawn Gray and Jimmy Hardy all had two wins on Tuesday while trainer Jimmy Nickerson scored a double in his category as well.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (June 6) with post time at 4 p.m. and the card will feature a $5,418 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