Matty Athearn nails grand slam at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — Matty “Ice” Athearn was cool as a cucumber at the lines on Monday afternoon (June 26) at Plainridge Park as he scored a harness racing grand slam during the afternoon, including a natural hat trick in races seven, eight and nine, that included both trotting feature races.

In the $25,000 Winners-Over trot, Athearn steered Esa (E L Titan) to his ninth win of the year in a career best effort.

Esa got away second behind I Da Princess (Nick Graffam) who led to the quarter in :27.2 before Sidd Finch (Drew Campbell) came first-over to match strides with the lone mare in the race. The two then tangled to the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:24.4 while Esa watched the action from the pocket.

As they came off the far turn, Sidd Finch trotted by I Da Princess while Esa swung three-deep and into contention. From there, the trotters were dead even heading down the lane while both drivers bounced in their bikes in unison. Sidd Finch was steadfast in his effort, but Esa just got up by a nose at the light to win in 1:54.3 to establish a new lifetime mark.

With the win, Esa ($14.00) went over the century mark in earnings this year, now boasting $102,881, and also crossed $300,000 lifetime with a new total of $306,893. Trainer John Hallett co-owns Esa with  Ronald Prohm.

ESA REPLAY

Athearn also won the co-featured $17,000 conditioned trot with Replica Hanover (Uncle Peter) who also took a new lifetime mark.

In a similar steer to Esa, Athearn put Replica Hanover in the two-hole behind Bill Bauer (Drew Campbell) who posted fractions of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25.2 with no challenges coming from the rear. As the pair passed the seven-eighths, Replica Hanover pulled out and came right at Bill Bauer. Within five pylons, Replica Hanover had taken the lead and then trotted home under a line drive to win by one length in a career best 1:55.2.

It was the fifth win of the year for Replica Hanover ($18.40) who is owned by Barbara Dresser and trained by Gretchen Athearn.

REPILCA HANOVER REPLAY

Matty “Ice” also won with Topolino (1:55.4, $7.80) and Royaltys Rocket (1:56.2, $15.40) to complete his four-bagger.

Athern currently sits second in the dash derby at Plainridge with 44 wins, behind Bruce Ranger, who now has 58 wins after his driving hat trick on Monday.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (June 27) at 4 p.m. and there will be a $2,535 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six and a $582 carryover in the Pick-6 that starts in race four.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts