A first-over move and a fight to the finish highlighted Alex Having Fun’s impressive win the the $33,784 Open Handicap pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Thursday, Sept. 19.

Always A Miki (Matty Athearn) was the commander of fractions from the start, marching to the quarter in :27.1 and the half in :55.2. But it was there that Drew Campbell had Alex Having Fun out and rolling with Vintage Cheddar N (Mitchell Cushing) on his back for the live tow. Alex Having Fun crossed over to the lead passing the 1:23 three-quarters while Vintage Cheddar N continued to advance in the breeze around the last turn.

At the top of the stretch, Vintage Cheddar N drew alongside Alex Having Fun and the pair paced side-by-side down the lane while their respective drivers bounced and flailed with enthusiasm. Vintage Cheddar N and Alex Having Fun crossed the line together, but Alex Having Fun had a head advantage in the photo, giving him the win in 1:50.1.

It was the seventh victory of 2024 for Alex Having Fun ($12.60) who continued his career year for owner/trainer Kimberly Vafiades. 

In the $27,027 upper-level conditioned pace, Heaven On High N (Nick Graffam) left from post seven, took the lead and set fractions of :26.1, :53.3, and 1:21.3, before turning for home and fending off the persistent Naturally Gifted A (Bruce Ranger) to win by a half length in 1:50.1. The time was a new lifetime mark. 

Heaven On High N ($30.80) is owned by Shark Racing and trained by Larry Stalbaum.

Matty Athearn led all drivers with three wins on Thursday while Brett Beckwith, Nick Graffam and Bruce Ranger all doubled up. Jimmy Nickerson was the top trainer with two wins on the card. 

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.

(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)