Trainer Jimmy Nickerson and driver Matty “Ice” Athearn started the Plainridge Park season strong, and they both continued to excel on Thursday, April 16 when they combined to win a pair of $34,722 Open races that topped the bill during the program.

Swedish Starlet N took advantage of a perfect trip to pounce late and score in the Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. Athearn sent her to the front in a :27.2 first quarter, but she was relegated to the pocket by Ambushed (Cory Stratton), who forged ahead in front of the stands. Ambushed got to the half in :55.3 when Sweet Hayley Jane A (Ron Cushing) moved first-over and into contention as they entered turn two.

Sweet Hayley Jane A continued to gain ground and drew even with Ambushed at three quarters in 1:23.1 while Swedish Starlet N was still in the pocket and full of pace. At the top of the stretch, Sweet Hayley Jane A pulled ahead of Ambushed and had a clear road to the wire, but Swedish Starlet N found room at the pegs and flew through the gap to collar Sweet Hayley Jane A in deep-stretch by a half-length in 1:51.1. Ambushed finished third.

The win was the third of the year for Swedish Starlet N ($3.80), who is owned by Tim Bojarski and Tony Gruppo. The nine-year-old daughter of Mach Three-Top Of The Pile is now 31-for-129 lifetime. Thursday's win came with a new seasonal mark for the mare in her third win in 12 outings in 2026.

In the Open Handicap Trot, Memorynimagination turned a big three-wide move into his fourth win of the year in nine starts.

Athearn got away seventh with Memorynimagination from the assigned post eight and watched 25-1 shot By The Book (Jay Randall) carve out early fractions of :27.2 and :57.1, while A New Leader (Mitchell Cushing) took the garden trip. As they made their way onto the backstretch for the final half, Mrmayor Hanover (Aaron Byron) moved first-over and eventually made his way to second, a quarter-length behind By The Book at the 1:25.3 three-quarters.

At that station, Memorynimagination was already in play three-wide and had a full head of steam as he rolled past horses at will on the final turn. By the time they reached the top of the stretch, Memorynimagination had moved into second, and he rallied ahead of the game By The Book to win by a length in 1:55, which was a new seasonal mark.

Memorynimagination ($13.40) is owned by Joe Trice. The five-year-old Father Patrick-Fellowship Of Two gelding won for the 18th time in 76 career outings.

Swedish Starlet N and Memorynimagination made up half of the grand slam registered by Athearn, which included a natural hat trick in races six through eight. Athearn also won with Just Roxy (1:56.2, $5.80) and Bellas Love (1:58.1, $4). Thursday was the second Plainridge race day in a row that Athearn scored four wins.

Through the first week of racing, Nickerson has not missed the board in seven starts, posting four wins, two seconds and one third. Athearn has nine wins, six seconds and five thirds from his 28 starts. Both are the current leaders in their respective categories of this new meet.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday, April 20 at 4 p.m. There will be a $4,943 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the sixth race. 

(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)