After having solid success in low-level conditioned races at Pompano and the Meadowlands earlier this year, Spilling The Beans shipped to Massachusetts, stepped up to the top class and made her first start at Plainridge Park a winning one after launching a late furious stretch drive to capture the $15,000 Winners-over for fillies and mares on Thursday afternoon (April 11).
Western Stepp (Drew Campbell) claimed her usual spot on the front end and led the ladies through fractions of :27.2, :56.4 and 1:25, fending off a challenge from Rockin Ruby N (Nick Graffam) through the last two panels. As the race headed into the final turn, Stonebridge Honey (Mitchell Cushing) tipped three wide with Spilling The Beans (Mike Stevenson) following from sixth. The two outsiders were doing the better work heading down the lane when Spilling The Beans just exploded and flew past both Western Stepp and Stonebridge Honey to win by two lengths in 1:54 at 15-1.
It was the third score of the year for Spilling The Beans ($33.20) who is owned by Bret Pisarski and trained by Robert Marston.
In the $14,000 conditioned event for side-wheeling distaffers, Always Be Lucy (Mitchell Cushing) sat snug in a two-hole trip behind Pammy Jo (Jimmy Whittemore) until halfway down the stretch where Cushing had just enough room to get out in front of Dry Creek Gin (Shawn Gray) and out-pace the front runner to the wire in 1:54.1, which was a new seasonal mark.
The win was the third of the year for Always Be Lucy ($14.00) who just shipped in from wintering at Pompano Park. Karma Racing owns the mare that is trained by Eric Beach.
Shawn Gray was the top teamster on Thursday, doubling up in runaway wins with Stroman (1:54.4, $2.10) and Southwind Terror (1:53.1, $5.00) who both won by six and three-quarter lengths.
Live harness racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon (April 12) with first post time of 4:00 p.m. The $15,000 Winners-over trot is the feature race and there is a $3,867 carry-over pool for the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in race six.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)