Angel Nation came up a bit short in his Massachusetts debut last week, but driver Brett Beckwith left little to chance on Thursday (Nov. 17) when he took no prisoners with the good looking five-year-old in the $25,000 top-class trot at Plainridge Park.
Angel Nation flew off the gate from post 7 and had a two-length lead by the quarter in :27.2. He only extended his advantage after the :56.2 half, gapping the field by three at three-quarters and five by the top of the stretch. Angel Nation then closed it out with Beckwith getting the best view of the upset 1:54.4 mile.
Coming to the end of a career year, Angel Nation now has seven wins and $107,400 in the accounts of his connections William Hartt and Melissa Beckwith, who also trains the winner. He paid $15.60 to win.
The undercard $20,000 upper conditioned trot was an even bigger upset where Billy B (Wally Watson) brushed late at 15-1.
Wily Wally was the leader to the half in :57.4 when Moni Heist came calling and pushed the issue to three-quarters. Billy B was on Moni Heist's back but waited until the top of the stretch to tip off cover. At that point Billy B got it in gear and roared down the center of the track to claim a neck victory in 1:58.1 over his also fast-closing stablemate Lindy On Stage.
Billy B got his sixth win of the year for owner Joel Wheeler and trainer Lisa Watson. Wally Watson drove the $33.20 winner.
The husband-and-wife team of Watson and Watson combined for two wins on Thursday but were actually outdone by another team of wedlock winners: Mark Athearn and Gretchen Athearn, who had a hat trick during the afternoon.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (Nov. 21) with post time at 1 p.m. (EST).
(Plainridge Park)