Kiwi-bred handles pressure at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — Alluneedisfaith N (Art Major) won his first harness racing start at Plainridge Park in 1:50.2 on August 8 after shipping east from Hoosier Park.

Then after a short summer sabbatical at The Spa, the New Zealand-bred returned to the Commonwealth and won again in the $20,000 Open Handicap pacing feature on Monday (Sept. 5).

It took a bit of effort, but driver Shawn Gray got Alluneeditfaith N to the front, passing the quarter in :26.4 on a rainy afternoon amenable only to the infield geese. After he crossed over there was little time to regroup as Ucanttouchthis (Brett Beckwith) was out and rolling before the half and had Always A Miki (Luke Hanners) right on his back.

Passing the second station the field was tightening up and approaching three-quarters they were four in and three out and only 4-½ lengths apart. The third panel was quick, in :27.4 and Alluneeditfaith N was still commander of fractions heading around the last turn. Ucanttouchthis, Always A Miki and now Patrickthepiranha A (Bruce Ranger) were all bearing down and closing in, but Gray kept Alluneeditfaith N alive and hung on by one-half length in 1:52.1.

ALLUNEEDITFAITH N REPLAY

It was the seventh win of the year for Alluneeditfaith N ($5.60) who is owned by Doug Overhiser. Alicia Gray trains the winner.

Shawn Gray ended the day with two wins

Another big effort came from Jimmy Connor B (Big Jim) and driver Bruce Ranger in the $15,000 upper-level condition race.

After leaving from post eight and grabbing the front, Jimmy Connor B was hounded by the parked Sports Obsession (Jay Randall) through quarters of :26.1, :54.1 and 1:22.1. Once Sports Obsession tired and faded, Skyway Victor (Drew Campbell), Majoring Artist (Nick Graffam) and Somebeach Baron (Shawn Gray) were all breathing down his neck as they straightened for home and got closer as they neared the wire. However, Jimmy Connor B was stout and hung on to a neck victory in 1:52 flat.

It was the second win in a row for Jimmy Connor B ($7.80) and his owners Triple D Stables, M G Stable, Toby Rekoon and Frank Canzone. Melissa Beckwith trains the winner.

JIMMY CONNOR B REPLAY

Nick Graffam had two driving wins on Monday and the first was a bit of a milestone. He scored with longtime stable member Sailor Jerry ($5.60) in the first race, registered a 1:51.3 mile which was the fastest of the day and gave Graffam his 900th career win in the sulky. Graffam got 901 later in the card with Sofer (1:55, $40.00).

Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 6) with post time at 2 p.m.

Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website and clicking the “Racing” tab.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts