Domination in $100,000 Clara Barton Pace

Mikala (Always Be Miki), under aggressive George Brennan handling, dominated the $100,000 Clara Barton Free For All Pace for harness racing mares at Plainridge Park as the favorite on Sunday afternoon (Jul. 23) in Grand Circuit harness racing action.

Second choice Max Contract (Andy Miller) was keyed up for a good start and she blasted right to the front when the wings of the gate folded open. But Mikala, who floated out from the widest post in the five-mare field, was on the chase and she would make the front shortly after the opening quarter was reached in :26.3.

From there, the leader would back the half down to :55.3. “The quarter was slow, and the half was even slower.” Brennan commented in the winner’s circle, noting his tactical advantage. The first challenge would come from Drama Act (Dave Miller) but she never looked a threat racing first up as Brennan stepped on the gas and Mikala produced a :26.2 third quarter. It was clear when the three-quarter pole was reached in 1:22 that only pocket sitting Max Contract might be a late threat.

But Mikala had plenty in reserve as she kicked home in :27.0 to hold Max Contract safe by three-quarters of a length, the final time for the Clara Barton a snappy 1:49.0. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Valair Dohaeris (Mark Macdonald) who got up for third over Drama Act, with Sweet Treasure (Yannick Gingras) taking the fifth-place check.

MIKALA REPLAY

Brennan said that Mikala stacks up well vs. the likes of Grace Hill, Test Of Faith and Silver Label in the aged mares ranks. “She’s already beat them, so she fits in pretty good,” he remarked. “She was very good today.”

Mikala was winning for the second time in six 2023 starts and her $50,000 share of the purse brought her lifetime earnings to just over $441,000 for owners John Davino, Anthony Peretti Farm and Drenna n Stable of New Jersey, and Brad Shackman of Calgary, Canada. The five-year-old is trained by Nik Drennan. She returned $2.80 to win.

The $75,000 Bert Beckwith Memorial Pace went to Moonshine Kisses (Sunshine Beach) and driver Jay Randall, who won his fourth consecutive start at Plainridge Park this year.

Workin Ona Mystery (Yannick Gingras) had the lead from pylon position while Moonshine Kisses (Jay Randall) dropped in second for the trip.

Workin On a Mystery then set the pace through quarters of :25.4 and :53.3. As they motored past the half, Willie Go West N (Dexter Dunn) made a brush and crush move for the lead but as he cleared, Willie Go West N made a break, clearing the way for Natameri (David Miller) and Moonshine Kisses to go to the front. Natameri had the lead, but Moonshine Kisses was right outside, and the pair paced side by side around the last turn and into the stretch.

When they straightened for home, Natameri and Moonshine Kisses traded blows all the way to the line where Moonshine Kisses prevailed by a neck in 1:48.4.

MOONSHINE KISSES REPLAY

It was the 12th win of the year for the track record holder Moonshine Kisses ($8.00), who has now earned $224,120 in 2023 for owner Kellogg Racing Stable. Jackie Greene is the winning trainer.

And then in the $50,000 John Hogan Junior Invitational, Skyway Victor (Tellitlikeitis) and driver Mitchell Cushing traded leads with Hespoisedtopounce A (Matty Athearn) before taking the top for good before the half in :54.4. From there, Skyway Victor started to stretch out and by the top of the lane, was long gone.

Skyway Victor won by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:50.1. Skyway Victor ($6.80) grabbed his fifth win of the year for trainer/owner Mark Eaton, in partnership with Robert Griffin.

SKYWAY VICTOR REPLAY

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (July 24) at 4 p.m.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink