JK Will Power took the overland route to an impressive victory in the $17,500 Winners-Over pace at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon.
Mitchell Cushing seated JK Will Power third off the car while Paternity Suit A (Drew Monti) took the lead at the quarter. Just past that station Major Leaguer (Nick Graffam) popped the pocket and grabbed the front as they hit the half in :56.1. At that point JK Will Power was out and wheeling with Hudson Phil (Jay Randall) on his back heading to the three-quarter pole.
With the field now three in and three out, Major Leaguer continued to lead past the three-quarters and through the last turn, but started to falter at the head of the stretch. JK Will Power took the lead there while Hudson Phil tipped three deep and Paternity Suit A found room along the pylons. And although the two chasers made up ground to the wire, JK Will Power stayed on task to finish the job and win by a half-length margin in 1:52.1.
It was the seventh win of the year for JK Will Power ($12.00) and it pushed his earnings to $68,280 for owner Michael Goldberg Racing. Jeff Lieberman is the trainer.
In the co-featured $17,500 District 9 “Gronk” series, Beachchip Hanover (Shawn Gray) sat a perfect pocket trip behind Avatartist (Bruce Ranger) the entire race until the stretch where he pulled and kicked home to a 1-1/2 length in 1:51.3 victory.
Beachchip Hanover ($7.20) is owned by Jeffrey Epstein and Steven Gondelman and is trained by Jamie Gerard.
In a true rarity, 10 different drivers and 10 different trainers accounted for the day’s 10 winners at The Ridge on Thursday.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday with post time at 1 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)