The well-travelled Ask Queenie has already won races at Monticello, Yonkers and Saratoga Raceways this year. Now, she can put a Plainridge Park sticker on her trunk, as she captured the $12,000 distaff pacing feature on Tuesday (April 24).
Ask Queenie settled mid-pack off the gate as Iced Out took early command. But Gray’s steady approach quickly changed when he pulled his mare at the eighth pole and made a rush for the front. Hitting the quarter in :27, Ask Queenie was now barking marching orders with the field following in a straight line.
After backing the half to :56, Stylish Beachwhere and Western Stepp came in the outer flow but were met with a quickening third quarter pace, timed in 1:24. Rounding the last turn, Stylish Beachwhere stalled, sending Western Stepp three high, but Ask Queenie was still rolling along and stretched out to a three-length advantage.
Down the lane, Gray tucked the whip and lowered the lines as Ask Queenie was a wrapped-up winner crossing the wire in 1:52.3, which was a new seasonal mark.
Ask Queenie, paying $3.80 to win, scored her fourth win of the year for owners Edward Hall and James Hall Jr., trainer Craig Mosher and driver Shawn Gray.
In the co-featured $12,000 conditioned pace, Colorful Speech turned a garden-spot trip behind Cruiserwillwin into a hard-fought half-length victory in 1:53.4, blowing up the tote board at 40-1.
Colorful Speech, returning $83.80, scored his first win of the year for owner/trainer Milton Vickerson and driver Nick Graffam, triggering big payouts for his supporting bettors. The exacta returned $305.20 and the trifecta paid $2,876.20, both for $2 wagers.
Racing resumes on Thursday, April 26 with post time at 4 p.m.
(With files from Plainridge)