After posting three seconds and a third in his last four outings, Quick Shot found his stride and took the winner's share in the $10,000 'Old Ironsides' pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon.
Off the gate, Jacksons Image (Jim Hardy) took a quick lead while Quick Shot (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) paced tentatively on the outside fourth. After remaining there for almost a quarter, Switzer tapped the dallier and brushed him to the front by the three-eighths pole.
After the group passed the half in :54.3, Beautiful Lady (Bruce Aldrich, Jr.) pulled from third and strode up to the leader. The two then paced in unison for the next eighth of a mile until Switzer asked for more and his horse responded in kind. Quick shot put away Beautiful Lady around the last turn but was immediately challenged by a fast closing Escape The News (Ron Cushing) who was flying on the outside.
Down the lane, Quick shot was in the middle of the track under heavy urging from Switzer. Outside of him, a flailing Cushing was hustling Escape The News just as furiously. The two battled all the way to the wire but Quick Shot had enough left in the tank to hang on by a nose in 1:52.
The victory broke a winless streak dating back to January 16 at Dover Downs for the five-year-old gelded son of Art Major and raised his 2017 bankroll to $32,383 for owner Kathleen Brewer. Quick Shot is trained by Arthur Brewer II. Quick Shot paid $3.60 to win.
Greg Merton had the hot hand on Monday, winning five races out of the seven rides he had. He scored with Shanghai Warrior ($3.60, 1:53.4), Imtoofastforyou ($5.40, 1:53.2), American Island ($34.40, 1:53.3), Talldarknhandsome ($8.20, 1:53.2) and Modern Yankee ($4.00, 1:54.2). Amazingly, he posted a .714 UDR for the day.
Also scoring two wins Monday were driver Kevin Switzer, Jr. and trainer Jackie Greene.
Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday with post time for the first race set at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)