Plainville, MA — After tripping out early, Dandy’s Everlasting (Well Said) with driver Matty Athearn brushed late and finished strong to capture the $25,000 fillies and mares Winners-Over harness racing pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (May 16).
Westbeach (Nick Graffam) was the early leader before Booraa N (Ron Cushing) pulled before the quarter and cleared in front of the stands. Booraa N then hit the half in a tepid :56.1 when Dandy’s Everlasting made her bid from third.
As the girls made their way up the backstretch, Dandy’s Everlasting drew alongside Booraa N at three-quarters and the two went at it from there. They matched strides around the last turn and into the lane. As they headed for the wire, Booraa N was still pacing strong as Dandy’s Everlasting continued to dig. When they hit the line, it took a photo to show that Dandy’s Everlasting was the best by a nose in the hard fought 1:51.4 mile.
It was the second straight win and fourth in the last six starts at Plainridge Park for Dandy’s Everlasting ($7.00) who is owned by Dandy Farms Racing and Ft Racing. Jimmy Nickerson was the winning trainer.
DANDY’S EVERLASTING REPLAY
Athearn and Nickerson both ended the day with two wins apiece.
There was also a pair of $17,500 paces for the 6-year-old and under set.
The first went to Quarrel (Always B Miki) with driver Kevin Switzer Jr. who followed Toodles Hanover (Bruce Ranger) through quarters of :27, :56 and 1:24.2 before out-sprinting her to the line to win by 1-½ lengths in a lifetime best 1:53 clocking.
Quarrel ($4.80) is owned by Karma Racing and was the first of two training wins for Elisha Lafreniere.
QUARREL REPLAY
Later, the heavily favored Duke Of Cornwall N (Sweet Lou) with driver Bruce Ranger was floated outside for over three-eighths of a mile before he crossed over for the lead. But once he got there, the race was history.
He sped to three-quarters in a :27.4 split and then under a line drive by Ranger, Duke Of Cornwall N cruised home to a 2-½ length win in 1:52.2.
Duke Of Cornwall N (Sweet Lou, $2.10) is owned by Richard Pollucci and trained by Tahnee Camilleri.
DUKE OF CORNWALL REPLAY
Kevin Switzer Jr. continued his torrid winning streak on Tuesday as he scored another grand slam in the bike. Besides the afore-mentioned Quarrel, Switzer also won with Captain Six (1:58.1, $2.80), Roses N Wine (1:54, $11.40) and Mossdale Lotte N (1:53.1, $4.40), the last two trained by Bob Marston.
Overall, Switzer has driven a total 15 winners in his last five days of racing.
Trainer Mike Eaton also scored a double on Tuesday.
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday (May 18) at 4 p.m. and that card will feature a $1,528 carryover in the Jackpot Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in race six.
For complete race results, click here.
by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts