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Plainville, MA — A patient drive by Brett Beckwith paid big dividends for Heinikin Bythebay (Southwind Lynx), who brushed home late to win the $25,000 Open Handicap harness racing pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Monday (Aug. 12) afternoon.
Heinikin Bythebay got away sixth as Torrid Saint A (Matty Athearn) and Himself N (Mitchell Cushing) traded leads as they passed the quarter in :27.2. Himself N settled on the point before getting to the half in :56. An outer flow lead by I’m No Outlaw N (Drew Monti) saw Beckwith follow with Heinikin Bythebay as the field made their way up the backstretch.
I’m No Outlaw N got to within a length of Himself N at three-quarters, but Himself N bolted after that and opened up a three-length advantage by the top of the stretch. But three lengths wasn’t enough as Heinikin Bythebay was pacing freely down the middle of the track as they headed for home and caught Himself N at the line to win by a head in 1:52.
It was the fifth win of the year for Heinikin Bythebay ($4.20) and owners KDK Standardbreds. Kevin Switzer trains the winner.
HEINIKIN BYTHEBAY REPLAY
In the $22,000 upper-level conditioned pace, Tulhurstsantanna A (Santanna Blue Chip) and driver Shawn Gray shot to the front from post six, set fractional times of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:24.2 and then turned for home and maintained a one length advantage as he won in 1:52.3.
It was the 41st lifetime win for Tulhurstsantanna A ($12.80) and it pushed his career earnings over $400,000, now standing at $403,049. Mark Jakubic owns the Alicia Gray trained gelding.
TULHURSTSANTANNA A REPLAY
There was a special 1-¼ mile $20,000 pace in the seventh race that saw four lead changes occur from start to finish. And in the end, Rooster Bennett (So Surreal) and with driver Drew Monti was a winner by a neck over Rodman (Matty Athearn) in a new track record of 2:23.3.
Rooster Bennett ($4.60) is owned by Nancy Longobardi and Domenic Longobardi, who also trains the winner.
ROOSTER BENNETT REPLAY
Mitchell Cushing drove three winners on Monday.
Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Aug 13) with post time at 4 p.m. and the card will feature a $2,300 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
