Hey Porter swept uncovered to the lead in the back half and fended off a late challenge to take the $35,714 Open Trot over a wet-fast track at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, June 30.

He got away fourth as Pepper Wow (Mitchell Cushing) stepped sharply through :26.3 and :55.1 early fractions on the point. Brett Beckwith pushed Hey Porter into the breeze first-over as they entered the backstretch, providing Spaaaanzano (Drew Monti) a draft to follow. Hey Porter marched on through three-quarters in 1:23.3 and went clear of Pepper Wow at the bottom of the last turn. Spaaaanzano charged off the new leader's cover, but Hey Porter held him off by a neck for the 1:53.1 victory. Pepper Wow finished third.

The win was the 10th lifetime in 33 starts for the four-year-old Hey Porter. The son of Bar Hopping-Chelsees A Winner is owned by Pollack Racing LLC and trained by Enrico Robinson. The win price was $3.40.

In the sub-featured $32,143 Open II Trot, Ponda Rocky (Mitchell Cushing) blasted to the front and parked Unhinged (Bruce Ranger) past the :27 quarter. Unhinged eventually reached command and hit the half in :55.3. Ponda Rocky came right back with a quick rush to take back the top just past the midway point, and was then quickly engaged by Lefties Righties (Brett Beckwith), who was loosely followed by Chapheart (Nick Graffam) from fourth. Ponda Rocky kept the lead around the turn and into the stretch, where Chapheart moved clear of Lefties Righties and chased down Ponda Rocky to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:53.2. Lefties Righties finished second over a closing Bravado (Matt Athearn).

Chapheart took his fifth win of the year in 17 outings. Trained by Cory Stratton for Howard Jacobs, the seven-year-old Chapter Seven-Hip To My Heart gelding is now 31-for-135 lifetime. He returned $9.20.

Brett Beckwith led all drivers on the nine-race Tuesday card with three wins, two of which were for Paul Kelley, who ended the afternoon as the top trainer. 

Three-year-old Massachusetts-bred trotters had a strong day as four of them scored during the program: Brewster Baker (1:55.4, $6.20), Geologic (1:53.4, $2.60), Cash Out Express (1:55.1, $2.80) and Adios My Lindy (1:55.1, $3). All four are eligible for the $3.2 million USD Massachusetts Breeders Stakes, which starts on Sept. 28. 

Thursday's card of racing at The Ridge has been cancelled due to the forecasted high temperatures and heat indices. 

Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday, July 6 at 4 p.m.

(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)