Ladies own the spotlight at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — It was Ladies Day at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Sept. 21) as the harness racing feature paces for fillies and mares topped the card of 11 races.

In the $25,000 Winners-Over Handicap headliner, Therewasthisgirl (So Surreal) and driver Nick Graffam got away fourth behind the headstrong Wahs Fire Bug N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) who scooted to the half in :55.1. At that point, Booraa N (Ron Cushing) was moving second in the breeze and Therewasthisgirl drafted behind her cover.

Positions remained unchanged to three-quarters and around the last turn where Therewasthisgirl tipped three-high and was under a drive. Wahs Fire Bug N was feeling the heat with every stride as Therewasthisgirl closed in from the outside while the pocket-sitting Ry’s Red Rocket (Bruce Ranger) was bolting up the pylons. As they got to the line Therewasthisgirl finished best and got the win over Ry’s Red rocket in 1:51.3 to take a new seasonal mark.

It was the 15th lifetime win for Therewasthisgirl ($11.80) who is owned by the George Ducharme Stable and Heather Marshall. George Ducharme also trains the winner.

THEREWASTHISGIRL REPLAY

Then in the $20,000 upper-level conditioned event, Racey Rach N (A Rocknroll Dance) and driver Mitchell Cushing went right to the front and was never headed from there. Leading by a gapped advantage through quarters of :27, :56.1 and 1:23.2, Racey Rach N hit the top of the stretch in front by four lengths and extended it to 5-¼ lengths when she hit the light, an easy winner in 1:52.

Racey Rach N ($5.00) is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Scott Dillon and is trained by Joe Nelson. It was also the third win on the card for Mitchell Cushing.

RACEY RACH N REPLAY

Driver Jim Hardy had a three bagger as well on Thursday, two of which were trained by Jolene Andrews, who along with Mike Graffam scored two wins apiece.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (Sept. 25) at 2 p.m. when the $3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes will kick off the 2023 season. Plus, there will be a $8,383 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts