Always Bstunning N and Platinum As used similar paths to victory to take the $34,722 open-class races at Plainridge Park on Thursday, Oct. 9.

The pacing distaffs lined up first in their Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace, and when the gate released the girls, Swedish Starlet N (Matty Athearn) went directly to the front, but she soon found herself sparring with Intothemysticmoon (Nick Graffam) through fast early fractions of :26.3 and :54.2. Passing the half, Always Bstunning N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) pulled second-over behind the parked Intothemysticmoon and drafted on her cover through three-quarters in 1:23. At the top of the lane, Swedish Starlet N had put away Intothemysticmoon, but Always Bstunning N was three-deep and flying, and she forged to the front by a length to win in 1:51.3. Waitforever N (Aaron Byron) closed for second over Racy Roxy A (Jay Randall).

Always Bstunning N ($3) has now won three straight Opens and is 10-for-17 this year. The daughter of Always B Miki-Simply Stunning is trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Richard Poillucci. She is a 16-time career winner from 56 starts.

In the Open Trot, Sforza (Bruce Ranger) left from post seven and took the lead passing the :26.1 quarter. Sforza then trotted to the half in :55 where Morning Edition (Shawn Gray) came first-over and brought Platinum As (Brett Beckwith) in tow as they headed to three-quarters in 1:23.4. Positions remained unchanged through the turn, but at the top of the stretch, Platinum As came off-cover and bolted to the line a handy winner by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:53.2. Morning Edition was second, followed by A New Leader (Bruce Ranger).

The win was the ninth of the year in 29 attempts for Platinum As ($7.80), who is owned by Brett Beckwith, in partnership with FAC Racing LLC and Yannick Gingras. Melissa Beckwith trains the winner. The seven-year-old E L Platinum-Jarette As gelding is now 29-for-105 lifetime.

Cushing and Ranger both had driving triples, while Wil Dubois had two training tallies.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Friday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. 

(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts; photo of Always Bstunning N winning on Oct. 9)