The six-year-old New Zealand import Always Bstunning N was the off-time favourite and lived up to expectations as she turned back six male counterparts in the $35,211 Open Pace at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. got away fifth with Always Bstunning N, as Ahi Sunshine (Bruce Ranger) scorched fractions of :26.1 and :54.4 to the half. At the midway mark, Heinikin Bythebay (Matty Athearn) pulled first-over while Always Bstunning N picked up his cover heading up the backstretch.
When the field reached three-quarters in 1:21.4, Ahi Sunshine was clear by three lengths, but Always Bstunning N tipped three-high around Heinikin Bythebay and was closing fast.
Ahi Sunshine rounded the last turn and when he reached the head of the stretch, Always Bstunning N had pulled alongside and then pulled away, while also holding off four other horses strewn across the track in pursuit as they approached the line. Always Bstunning N refused to lose and scored by a quarter of a length in 1:51.1. Rocknroll Runa A (Steven Wilson) got up for second over Ahi Sunshine.
Picking up her 12th win of the season in 21 starts, the Gretchen Athearn trainee lifted her earnings to $233,963 this year for owner Richard Poillucci of South Easton, Massachusetts.
Always Bstunning N paid $3.80 to win.
The Open mare was only one of four winners driven by Switzer on the afternoon's nine-race card.
There was also a $35,211 Open Trot on the program that went to A New Leader, who marched through quarters of :27.3, :56.3 and 1:24.3 before turning for home and breaking the beam in 1:53.4 for his eighth win of the year in 33 starts. A New Leader was driven by Mitchell Cushing, who also trains the trotter and co-owns with Ray Lasky of Mechanicville, New York. The Trixton-Miss Directed gelding paid $6 to win as the 2-1 second choice to favoured runner-up Platinum As (Brett Beckwith).
Live harness racing will resume at Plainridge on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 1 p.m. Plainridge will be dark on the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, Nov. 27 and will close out the 2025 meet on Friday, Nov. 28 with post time at 1 p.m.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)