Heinikin Bythebay hangs on for Open Handicap win

Plainville, MA — Heinikin Bythebay (Southwind Lynx) put in a stellar harness racing performance on Monday (Nov. 11) afternoon as he won the $25,000 Open Handicap pacing feature at Plainridge Park.

I’m Sir Blake (Shawn Gray) was the early leader, getting to the quarter in :27.1. But Kevin Switzer Jr. was out and rolling with Heinikin Bythebay and took control of the race before the :56 half. Heinikin Bythebay paced smartly up the backside where Life’s A Puzzle (Drew Monti) paced into second in the outside and started pushing the issue. After they made their way around the last turn, Life’s A Puzzle had his sights on Heinikin Bythebay and was making up ground as they neared the wire. But Heinikin Bythebay hung on in a photo by a quarter length and won in 1:51.1.

HEINIKIN BYTHEBAY REPLAY

It was the ninth win of the year for Heinikin Bythebay ($2.60) who is owned by KDK Standardbreds and trained by Kevin Switzer.

Earlier in the $25,000 Massachusetts Starter Allowance, ER Griffin (Riggins, Brett Beckwith) seated Anvil Hands (Jimmy Hardy) at the :27 quarter and then went to the half in :55.1 and three-quarters in 1:23 as Rooster Bennett (Mitchell Cushing) was pressing on the outside. After they made their way around the last turn, all three chasers tried to make up ground, but ER Griffin was the strongest today and hung on by a head in 1:51.4.

ER GRIFFIN REPLAY

ER Griffin is owned by his trainer, Mike Eaton, in partnership with Bob McHugh, Robert Griffin and Russell Young.

ER Griffin was one of three driving wins for Beckwith during the afternoon.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Nov. 12) at 1 p.m. and there will be a $1,940 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 the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts