Saratoga Raceway shipper Salt Life made his second start at Plainridge Park a winning one on Tuesday afternoon (April 19) after capturing the $20,000 featured pace for five-year-olds and under in commanding fashion.
Salt Life took full advantage of some class relief and went right to the front to control the pace. After seating the field, driver Nick Graffam set moderate fractions of :28, :57.2 and 1:25 over the track labeled "good". At that third station Mr. Dunnigans pulled from third and rushed towards the leader, trying to draw even in the turn. But Salt Life took his 1-1/2-length lead into the stretch and paced strong to the wire to win in 1:54.2.
It was the first win of the year for Salt Life, who is owned by his trainer Bruce Mattison, along with Carmen Lemorta. He paid $7.20 to win.
There were also two divisions of $17,500 condition events for six-year-olds and under – one for fillies and mares and one for horses and geldings – and both provided exciting finishes.
In the distaff division, Line Em Up sat the pocket behind Siri Blue Chip until the top of the stretch where she found room at the pylons, took the lead and held off a late closing Adashious Blue Chip to win by a half length in 1.55.2.
It was the second win in a row for Line Em Up and owner Michael Goldberg Racing. Jeff Lieberman trains the $8 winner and Luke Hanners sat in the bike.
In the boys split, Optical Illusion N followed the live cover of Umberto at the half, who took the lead from the front-running Kick The Dirt Up up the backstretch. Then in the stretch, Optical Illusion N out-dueled Umberto and held off a late closing Miki U So Fine to win by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:54.
Optical Illusion N got his third win in only six starts this year for his trainer Lisa Zabielski, who owns him along with Kimberly Zabielski. Jay Randall steered the $4.60 winner.
Driver Drew Monti won three races on Tuesday, all of whom were trained by Jimmy Nickerson, making them both leaders in their categories for the afternoon.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (April 21) at 4 p.m. (EDT).
(Plainridge Park)