Four-bagger and feature score for Drew Monti

Plainville, MA — Harness racing driver Drew Monti had a big day at Plainridge Park on Monday (July 22) afternoon after he won four races on the card, including the $20,000 Open Handicap for pacing mares with Side Piece (Shadow Play).

Off the gate, Seaside Tina (Kevin Switzer Jr.) turned back an early challenge from Swedish Starlet N (Matty Athearn) who pocketed-up at the quarter in :25.3. At this point in the mile, Side Piece was fifth. With the field in single file, Seaside Tina continued to smoke to the half in :53.4 and then moved onto the backstretch poised for the next challenge.

That came from Swedish Starlet N, who vacated the garden spot and took aim at the leader. Seaside Tina and Swedish Starlet N paced side by side to three-quarters in 1:21.4 and continued to battle around the far turn and into the stretch, while Side Piece was sixth and fourth-over on the outside. Swedish Starlet N finally took the lead as they straightened for home, but Monti shook loose with Side Piece and was pacing furiously down the center of the track. Swedish Starlet N fought hard to the line but Side Piece nipped her by a head in the photo timed in 1:52.

It was the seventh win of the year for Side Piece ($7.80) who is owned by Janie Kellogg and trained by Jackie Greene.

SIDE PIECE REPLAY

Monti rounded out his grand slam as a result of a natural hat trick in the first three races with Miki’s Finest (1:55, $4.60), Quentin Quarantino (1:53.2, $4.20) and CBF Fin (1:55, $3.20).

In the secondary featured $15,000 conditioned pace for 5-year-olds and under, Caviart Justice (Lazarus N) and driver Bruce Ranger put in quite an effort on the front end, setting fractions of :27.2, :55.4 and 1:22.4 before rounding the last turn and kicking away to a 5-½ length, 1:51.2 victory that gave the colt a new lifetime mark.

Caviart Justice ($3.80) is owned by Caviart Farms and Christina Takter and is trained by Domenico Cecere.

CAVIART JUSTICE REPLAY

There is no racing at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (July 23) this week due to the Spirit of Massachusetts card on Sunday. Live racing resumes at The Ridge on Thursday (July 25) with post time at 4 p.m.

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

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts