Plainville, MA — A pair of $15,000 condition races for 6-year-old and under filly and mare harness racing pacers topped the bill at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (June 28) with front-end speed dictating the outcome of both.
The first division went to Quarrel (Always B Miki) who turned back a field of six with no arguments.
Kevin Switzer Jr. put Quarrel on the point and comfortably managed the race from there. After posting splits of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25.1, Quarrel incrementally extended her lead to where she was 1-½ lengths in front by the top of the stretch.
Heading down the lane, Switzer was a passenger as Quarrel opened up by 2-¾ lengths at the light where she won in a lifetime best time of 1:53.3.
Unraced at two, the now 3-year-old Quarrel ($5.80) boasts three lifetime wins and eleven in the money finishes in 16 2022 starts for owner Karma Racing. Elisha Lafreniere trains the winner.
QUARREL REPLAY
In the second division, Delightful Virgin (Always A Virgin) won her third consecutive race after making an early power move.
Pembroke Ali (Heath Campbell) blasted off the wings and opened up a quick three length lead as the race went to the quarter. But after passing that station in :27.4, Shawn Gray had Delightful Virgin out and rolling and took the front as they rolled by the stands. From there Delightful Virgin maintained a one length advantage for the rest of the mile, winning in 1:54.1 over a fast-closing Bottomoftheninth (Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Pembroke Ali.
Delightful Virgin is owned by Kelly Case and is trained by Dustin Ingraham.
DELIGHTFUL VIRGIN REPLAY
Shawn Gray, Drew Monti and Bruce Ranger had two driving wins apiece while trainer Paul Mc Hugh claimed two wins as well.
There is a large and growing carryover of $40,365 available in the sixth race Wicked Hi-5 wager when live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (June 30) with post time at 4 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website here and clicking the “Racing” tab.
For complete race results, click here.
by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts