Athearn reaches $2 million in single meet

Plainville, MA — After winning the first race at Plainridge Park on Friday (Nov. 24) with Woman In Gold N (Art Major, 1:56.2, $6.20), Matty “Ice” Athearn surpassed the $2 million mark in harness racing driver earnings for the current meet. Athearn is the second driver this year to reach $2 million and joins Bruce Ranger, who hit that milestone last week. Athearn and Ranger are also the only two drivers to ever surpass that earnings level at The Ridge, Ranger also achieving it in 2021.

The milestone win wasn’t the only one Athearn had. He also won the $25,000 Winners-Over featured pace with Always A Miki (Always B Miki), who went gate to wire in an impressive romp.

Athearn grabbed the lead with Always A Miki before the quarter and settled in for the remainder of the tour. He got to the half in :54.4 when Life’s A Puzzle (Kevin Switzer Jr.) came alongside and pressured the leader for the next quarter mile. Always A Miki got to three-quarters in 1:23.2 while turning back the challenge from Life’s A Puzzle before entering the far turn, but the challenges just kept on coming.

As they straightened for the line, Alex Having Fun (Drew Campbell) was barreling down the center of the track while the tripping Hespoisedtopunce (Brett Beckwith) found room at the pylons and was able to get underway. Athearn continued to urge Always A Miki as they closed on the wire, and he maintained his advantage to win by a neck in 1:53.1.

ALWAYS A MIKI REPLAY

It was the sixth win of the year for Always A Miki ($2.80) who is owned by Joe Trice and trained by Jimmy Nickerson.

It was the second training win of the day for Nickerson after he scored with Manferno (Always B Miki-History Repeats, 1:53.4, $6.20), who was also driven by Athearn and completed his hat trick.

There was also a $25,000 District 9 pace on the card for 100% New England-owned horses where Miki U So Fine (Always B Miki, Mitchell Cushing) took the lead before the half, rebuffed a challenge from Woody’s Cash Crop (Nick Graffam) in the third quarter and then swelled up in the lane to win by 3-¼ lengths in 1:53.3.

It was the fifth win of the year for Miki U So Fine ($5.20) and it pushed his earnings past the century mark for 2023, now sitting at $105,205 for owner/trainer Domenic Longobardi.

Longobardi had a consecutive training double after he won the preceding race with Beach Watch (Western Terror, 1:55.2, $12.20), who was also driven by Mitchell Cushing.

The feature on Friday was a memorial race named in honor of former Plainridge Park starting judge Rick Flanders, who passed away in October. Members of several New England horsemen’s associations along with owners, trainers, grooms and drivers gathered in the winner’s circle to make a special presentation to the family and also observe a moment of silence for Mr. Flanders.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (Nov. 27) with post time at 1 p.m. Monday kicks off the final week of racing for 2023 at Plainridge Park, followed by Tuesday (Nov. 28) and Thursday (Nov. 30).

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

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts