Trainer Jolene Andrews won three of the 10 races at Plainridge Park on Friday, Oct. 24 while producing two hefty payouts including a 10-1 upset in the afternoon's feature.
The feature was the $35,211 Baystate Trackmaster special where pacer Anvil Hands hammered his way down the stretch to forge his fifth win of the year. Driver Jim Hardy got away second with Anvil Hands behind Major Betts (Bruce Ranger) and played follow-the-leader through quarters of :27.4, :56 and 1:24. As they entered the last turn, Hardy tipped Anvil Hands, put a circle around Major Betts and was a length clear at the top of the stretch. Negotiator (Mitchell Cushing) kept things interesting with a late bid, but Anvil Hands held him at bay and won by a neck in 1:52.2. Major Betts finished 2-1/4 lengths behind in third.
Anvil Hands, a six-year-old Always B Miki-Cams Macharena gelding, is owned by Andrews and Hardy along with David and Christine Thibault of North Attleboro, Massachusetts. The win put his seasonal bankroll over $100,000 through 22 starts. Anvil Hands paid $23.40 for the upset win in the featured finale.
Andrews also teamed up with Hardy for wins by 18-1 longshot Boogy Woogy J ($39.60) in the opener and Roaring Kitty ($5.40), a popular winner in the seventh race.
A $28,169 Baystate Trackmaster special was won by Mansome ($7.80), who took no prisoners through quarters of :26.2, :54.2 and 1:23 before rounding turn three and heading for home, finishing one-half length in front of favoured Gandolf The Black (Bruce Ranger) in 1:52.3. Varney (Mitchell Cushing) closed for third. The winning 10-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Sir Erika Z Tam gelding was driven by Ronald Cushing for trainer Heidi Cushing and owner Bruce Weinstein of Needham, Massachusetts.
The Jackpot Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta was hit in race nine on Friday. The single unique combination of 3-7-5-1-4 returned $4,542.24 for the 20-cent wager.
Live harness racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)