Despite finishing second by a mere nose last week, Joansrisingstar N was released by the betting public at 29-1, and she left the bettors befuddled by winning the $35,616 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Plainridge Park on Monday, Aug. 25.

Joansrisingstar N (Bruce Ranger) went right to the front and reached the quarter in :26. Right after that station, Whilemena Rita A (Brett Beckwith) pulled early and chased the leader to the half in a quick :54. 

As the field motored up the backstretch, Wilhemena Rita A began to fade, and the pocket-sitting Royally Hot (Kevin Switzer Jr.) pulled out as they went by three-quarters in 1:22. Joansrisingstar N and Royally Hot matched strides around the last turn and all the way down the stretch, but Royally Hot couldn't catch Joansrisingstar N, who won in hand by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:50.3. Sweet Hayley Jane A (Mitchell Cushing) was third.

The win was the sixth of the season in 18 tries for Joansrisingstar N, who is owned by Joe Trice and trained by Jimmy Nickerson. The seven-year-old daughter of Vincent-Orlando Star is 12-for-81 lifetime. She paid $62 to win.

Plainridge Park also featured three $20,548 divisions of the Romper Room series for two-year-old eligibles to the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes that will start at The Ridge on Monday, Sept. 28. 

The first was a trot, won by I Like Green (Greenshoe-Royal Lady). I Like Green, driven by John Beckwith, got away fourth behind leader On Tap Lindy (Brett Beckwith) in a :29.4 opener but pulled first-over approaching the 1:00.2 half. I Like Green continued to gain ground to three-quarters in 1:29.1 and cut down the deficit while moving into second. I Like Green closed further in the stretch and caught On Tap Lindy at the line by one-quarter-length in 1:58.3. Creatine Queenie (Kevin Switzer Jr.) completed the top three.

I Like Green ($2.40) is owned by Gary Mahany and trained by his driver, John Beckwith. He is now one-for-four lifetime.

The next two events were paces, with the first won by Always B Winning (Always B Miki-Dont Think Twice A).

The Bruce Ranger-driven Always B Winning went right to the front and cut the mile. After leading comfortably through fractions of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:26.4, Always B Winning had Stayoutofmylane (Brett Beckwith) and The Woman With You (Jimmy Whittemore) breathing down her neck into the stretch. As they approached the wire, Stayoutofmylane made a break, leaving The Woman With You a clear shot at the leader, but Always B Winning held her off and won by a half-length with a maiden mark of 1:56. 

Always B Winning ($4.20) is owned by Michael Goldberg Racing LLC and trained by Chuck Connor Jr. Her first victory came in her seventh outing.

The third tilt was won by Atreides (Stay Hungry-Lady Killer), who led the entire mile. She fired to the lead for Brett Beckwith and posted even fractions of :29, 1:00 and 1:29.1 with Beantown Big Al (Drew Monti) and Sting Me (Nick Graffam) giving chase. As they came off the last turn, Sting Me made a break and Flint McCullough (Matty Athearn) moved into contention on the outside. Flint McCullough flew late, but Atreides hung on and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.4. Beantown Big Al (Drew Monti) finished third.

Cory Stratton trains Atreides ($2.10) for owners Scott McKenzie and Stratton Stable Inc. Atreides won for the first time in five appearances.

Driver Brett Beckwith had three wins on the 11-race card.

Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday at 4 p.m. 

(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)