Miami Valley Raceway shipper Hickory Icon was placed in the capable hands of Eddie Davis, Jr. for the $15,000 Open handicap pace at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon and the two left little doubt who was the best this day.
Davis left hard from post seven with Hickory Icon and took the lead just past the eighth pole. From there they he led unchallenged to the quarter in :26.2 and the half in :55.1. At that point, My Mind Is Madeup (Bruce Aldrich, Jr.) pulled first over from fourth and tried to force the issue.
The challenger got his nose near Davis’s helmet just before the three-quarter pole, but his advance stopped at that point. Davis raised the lines and let Hickory Icon know it was time to shift gears and the gelding responded in kind. Hickory Icon opened up two, then three, and down the lane he simply paced away with Davis sitting chilly to win in 1:50.4.
The winning time equaled the seven-year-old son of Real Desire’s lifetime mark.
It was the fifth win in 14 starts for Hickory Icon ($7.80) and pushed his earnings for the year to $43,410 for owner Jessica Smith. Randal Smith trains the winner.
The value bettors went home smiling as it was mega-payout Monday at Plainridge Park. With only three favourites winning on the 11-race card, the tote board was blown-up several times during the day.
In the fourth, Ideal Race (Kevin Switzer Jr.) paid $38.20 while Mercenary (Ron Cushing) paid $98.40 in the sixth, triggering a $38,221.20 trifecta payout. Trelane (Ron Cushing) returned $19.20 in the eighth, Mcardle Royale N (Chris Long) returned $21.40 in the ninth and Someplace Special (Michael Stevenson) lit it up large once again in the tenth paying $69.00.
Seven horsemen registered two winners on Monday’s card. Ron Cushing, Michael Stevenson, Bruce Aldrich, Jr. and Greg Merton all scored driving doubles. Trainers Joe Nelson, Robert Nelson and Kyle Spagnola each sent a couple stable members for pictures.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon with the first post set for 4 p.m. There is a $5,342.95 carryover for the Wicked Hi-5 wager in the sixth race.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)