The team of owner/trainer Joel Wheeler and driver Shawn Gray was prolific at Plainridge Park as the horses they sent to post took both features on the card on Monday afternoon.
After taking the top trot at the Ridge just two weeks ago, Quicksilver Kemp scored again in the $20,000 Open Handicap on the strength of a late closing bid.
Shorething Fashion (Nick Graffam) got off to a quick lead and opened up a three-length gap at the quarter in :28. Going unchallenged through the next panel, Shorething Fashion was greeted by a bid from last week’s winner O So Easy (Drew Monti) past the half.
O So Easy made a slow and methodical advance towards the leader and by the three-quarters was only a length away. However also moving on the outside was Quicksilver Kemp who had been following O So Easy into the far turn. When the race straightened out in the stretch, Gray tipped Quicksilver Kemp three-deep and easily circled the two trotters ahead of him to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55.1.
It was the fourth win of the year for Quicksilver Kemp ($13.20) who has now earned $62,195 this year.
Then in the $14,000 conditioned event for six-year-old and younger pacing mares, Beach Watch led at every station, going quarters of :281, :58.2 and 1:26.2 before turning for home and holding off a fast closing Sometimes Always (John Beckwith) to win by one-quarter of a length in 1:54.3.
The fifth win of the year for Beach Watch ($5.80) raised her earnings to $54,970 in 2019 making it the best season she’s had in her career for both victories and deposits.
Gray had one more win with All Night Credit ($10.40) which gave him the driving hat trick to lead all reinsmen on the day. Wheeler was also the winningest trainer on Monday.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday with post time at 1 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)