Surreal Spirit, after making a break last out in her New York Sire Stakes final, was back on her game at Plainridge Park on Thursday, Oct. 1 as she put up a career-best effort to win the featured $27,143 conditioned pace for five-year-old-and-under pacers.
Surreal Spirit (Jeff Gregory) got away second behind No Guts No Glory (Kevin Switzer Jr.), who passed the quarter in :27.3. Just before they straightened out for the first time, Surreal Spirit tipped back out and took over control on the way to the half in :57.1. Surreal Spirit continued to pace handily up the backstretch, where Gracies Tough Guy (Michael Oosting) moved first-over from fifth and paced his way to second at three-quarters in 1:25. Surreal Spirit responded to the challenge and pulled ahead by two lengths at the top of the lane, and from there, the filly was under a snug grip from Gregory and went on to win in 1:52 as the only filly in the race. No Guts No Glory was 2-3/4 lengths back in second, followed by Gracies Tough Guy.
The heavily backed Surreal Spirit ($3) is owned by Edmund Namiotka Jr., Carol Namiotka and Mrs. Linda Mund. The daughter of So Surreal-Caviart Elena is trained by her driver, Jeff Gregory, and is now seven-for-19 lifetime.
There was also a $24,286 upper-level conditioned trot on the card that was won by Feeling Optimistic (Jimmy Hardy), who got away fifth and last as Wall Street Edge (Jay Randall) led through fractions of :27.4, :57 and 1:25.1. Just Roxy (Matty Athearn) tipped three-wide from second over and Feeling Optimistic swung four-deep from behind her on the turn, both in chase of Wall Street Edge. As they trotted down the lane, Feeling Optimistic found another gear and flew past everyone to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.3. Wall Street Edge held second over Just Roxy.
Feeling Optimistic ($10.80) is owned by Moni Talks LLC and trained by Kyle Athearn. The six-year-old Walner-Celebrity Angel gelding is now 11-for-95 lifetime.
Feeling Optimistic was one of three driving winners for Hardy during the day, making him the winningest reinsman on the 11-race card.
Jeffrey Neil (Brett Beckwith) remained the hottest horse currently at The Ridge as he extended his winning streak to four in the other $24,286 conditioned sub-feature for five-year-olds and younger. Jeffrey Neil went right to the front and posted splits of :28.2, :57.1 and 1:25 with Ponda Rocky (Nick Graffam) trying to make an impact on the outside during the third quarter. Jeffrey Neil turned for home and held off a late rush from the pocket-sitting Chapter Of Life (Jay Randall) by a quarter-length to win in 1:54, which was a career-best clocking. False Dogma (Jeff Gregory) finished third.
Jeffrey Neil ($4.40) is owned by K R Breeding LLC and Robert Rudolph and trained by Domenico Cecere. The win for the sophomore Tactical Landing-Allswell gelding was his fifth in 11 outings.
There was a big payoff in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in the ninth race. The single unique combination of 5/2/3/4/7 returned $8,606.42 for the 20-cent wager.
Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Friday at 2 p.m. The card will be the first of five Friday programs through the end of October.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)