In one of the closest photos of the year, Bet You reigned supreme on the strength of a furious worst to first rush in the $16,000 Winners-Over Handicap pace at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon.
Bet You (Jimmy Whittemore) got away eighth in the full field of pacers and watched while five horses led by Opus Blue Chip (Kevin Switzer) argued for the lead in a blistering first quarter of :25.4. As soon as they passed that station, Mach Doro A (Ron Cushing) who had also been parked out then took command. Immediately past the half, horses from the back came three-wide into contention with JK Will Power (Drew Monti) in the middle and Calvin B (Jay Randall) farthest out, pushing the pace up the backside.
Bet You was now sixth in the breeze and behind a wall of horses as the field motored around the last turn. Whittemore tipped Bet You four-wide at the head of the stretch and had three more lengths to make up. He drew alongside JK Will Power and then both paced alongside Mach Doro A and all three hit the wire noses apart. When the photo came back, Bet You got the win just in front of JK Will Power and Mach Doro A, who dead-heated for place.
It was the sixth win of the year for Bet You ($33.60) who has now earned $75,110 this year for owner Scott Dillon. Joe Nelson trains the winner.
In the co-featured $12,000 upper-level condition pace, Tisadream N (Drew Monti) sat in the garden spot behind Vegas Dream (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) through quarters of :26.2, :55.2 and 1:23.2 before Monti popped the plugs and the pocket to take the lead before the head of the stretch and then cruise home a wrapped-up 2-1/4 length winner in 1:51.4.
It was the sixth win of the season for Tisadream N ($4.20) who has now earned $48,420 this year for owners Tony Gruppo and Tim Bojarski.
Drew Monti and Jimmy Whittemore both had driving doubles to lead all drivers on Monday.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday at 2 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)