A pair of $15,000 conditioned paces separated by sex were contested as the marquee races at Plainridge Park on Monday (July 4) and both events produced performances worthy of fireworks over a track rated as wet-fast.

In the first split, a field of fillies and mares lined up and Howdoyalikeit went the mile of her life. 

A List Girl called the shots off the gate while Howdoyalikeit dropped in second from post five for the trip. After watching A List Girl cut quarters of :27.1, :55.3 and 1:23.1, Howdoyalikeit continued to track from second through the last turn and until the seven-eighths when driver Matty Athearn tipped and started an aggressive assault on the front-runner. Howdoyalikeit paced furiously to the line where she caught A List Girl by a neck to win in 1:51.4 and take a lifetime mark.   

It was the second win of the year for Howdoyalikeit, who is owned by Jesse De Long and trained by Jimmy Nickerson. She paid $13.20 to win.

The win was one of three on the card for Athearn.

Then the boys went to post in the second event that Sandpiper N eventually won by a narrow margin in a thrilling finish. 

Sandpiper N left from post four and had a two-length lead at the quarter over Out To Get Lucky and Rodman. After the field reached the half in a tepid :57, Rodman pulled and went after the leader, while Out To Get Lucky opted to remain in the garden spot. Rodman continued to close ground on Sandpiper N to three-quarters and by the top of the stretch, was only one-half length behind. But as they paced towards the line, the pylon path opened up and Out To Get Lucky shook loose. Out To Get Lucky made up a quick 1-1/2 lengths in the stretch, but came up just short as Sandpiper N hung on to win by a mere nose in 1:52.1, which was his career-best time. 

Sandpiper N, who won four straight races before finishing third last week, got back on the winning track for owner-trainer Kathleen Brewer. Nick Graffam drove the $4.80 winner.

Graffam also finished the afternoon with a hat trick in the bike. 

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. joined Athearn and Graffam in the “triple club” after winning with At My Peak (1:53.2 winning mile, $4.80 to win), Vel Foxy Stevie (1:53.3, $5.20) and Paddy All Day (1:54.1, $12.20) while 11 different trainers each won one race during the afternoon. 

Live harness racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday, July 6 at 4 p.m. (EDT) and there will be a $1,278 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in Race 6. 

(Plainridge Park)