Mid-level conditioned events for pacing fillies and mares headlined the Tuesday (April 25) card at Plainridge Park, with Smokin Molly and Adashious Hanover claiming victory.
The first $17,500 event went to Smokin Molly, who followed Toodles Hanover through fractions of :27.2, :57.2 and 1:25.1 before making her move off the pylons at the top of the stretch. There, Smokin Molly outpaced Toodles Hanover in the lane to win by one-half length in 1:53.2.
The win was the third of the year for Smokin Molly, who is owned by Paul London and trainer Kathleen Brewer. Nick Graffam drove the $6.20 winner. Graffam ended the day with two wins.
The nightcap was the $16,000 distaff pace with Matt Athearn going gate to wire with Adashious Hanover.
After trading leads with Racey Rach N, Adashious Hanover settled on the front for good and had things her own way. Athearn set a steady pace of :28.1, :57.1 and 1:24.3 before turning for home and opening a 2-1/2-length advantage at the beam in a season's best-tying 1:52.3.
The win was the second in a row and third of the year for Adashious Hanover, who is owned by Marc Reynolds and Rick Cortese. It was also the second training win of the day for Jimmy Nickerson. She paid $4 to win.
Other participants scoring doubles on Tuesday included drivers Bruce Ranger and Kevin Switzer Jr. and trainers Melissa Beckwith and Bob Marston.
Live harness racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday at 4 p.m. (EDT) and that card will feature a large $14,352 carryover in the Jackpot Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in Race 6 and a $351 carryover in the Pick 6 in Race 4.
(with files from Plainridge Park)