After getting away seventh and last to the half in the track's top class, Patrikthepiranha A put a circle around the field coming home to win the $20,000 Open Pace at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 11).
Off the gate, Moonshine Kisses (Jay Randall) overpowered Sundown Kid (Matty Athearn) for the lead in a :26.3 first panel. After crossing over, things remained the same until the half when Jimmy Connor B (Nick Graffam) pulled first up from sixth and brought stablemate Patrikthepiranha A (Bruce Ranger) with him.
Heading up the backstretch, Moonshine Kisses maintained a length advantage ahead of the three-pronged attack and continued to push back around the final turn. At the top of the stretch, Jimmy Connor B drew to within a half-length of Moonshine Kisses but Patrikthepiranha A tipped off his cover and was in full flight. The three horses paced side by side to the wire where Patrikthepiranha A came clear by one half-length to win in 1:50.1.
Patrikthepiranha A ($4.20) notched his ninth win of the year and increased his earnings to $144,215 in the process. Melissa Beckwith trains the winner for Thestable Patrikthepiranha.
Earlier in the $17,500 conditioned pace, the heavily favoured Odds On Blockchain (Luke Hanners) convincingly bested a short field of five to claim his fourth win of the year. After setting fractions of :28.2, :55.4 and 1:23.1, Odds On Blockchain turned for home and paced to a four-length victory in 1:51.3.
Odds On Blockchain ($2.10) is owned by Royal Rock Racing and Jaymes McCassey, who also trains the winner.
Three horsemen registered doubles on Tuesday including drivers Brett Beckwith and Luke Hanners and trainer Jimmy Nickerson.
Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 13) at 2 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website and clicking the "Racing" tab.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)