After scoring two consecutive wins in mid-level condition races at Plainridge Park, JK Will Power stepped up to the top level and won again in the $15,000 Winners-Over Handicap pacing feature at The Ridge on Monday afternoon.
Rock Diamonds N (Ron Cushing) left boldly and three-wide into the first turn to take the lead before the quarter that eventually went a quick :26.2. That lead would be challenged immediately as JK Will Power (Bruce Ranger), who had also been rolling up the rim as well, pulled alongside the leader in front of the stands. Cushing and Rock Diamonds N had no intention of releasing JK Will Power and as a result, the pair tussled to the half in speedy :54.
Halfway up the backside, JK Will Power finally won the duel and took command heading into the last turn. After opening up a two-length advantage on the field in that bend, Starznheaven (Drew Monti) made a move and was rolling into the stretch, looking to make a bid for the win. But he came up with too little, too late and JK Will Power barrelled across the line in 1:51.2, which was his new seasonal best.
It was the third consecutive win, fourth of the year and 30th lifetime for JK Will Power ($3.60). The eight-year-old altered son of Somebeachsomewhere-Whats New Pussycat is owned by Michael Goldberg Racing and trained by Jeff Lieberman.
In the co-featured $15,000 pace for five-year-old and under males, Cigars And Port (Greg Merton) made an early first-over move past three-eighths, paced stride for stride with the front-running Sea Isle City (Shawn Gray) up the backside and around the far turn before eventually nipping him by a head at the beam in 1:53.4, which was a new lifetime mark.
Cigars And Port ($4.80), who was the 2019 two-year-old male pacing champion of the New York Sire Stakes, captured his first win in Massachusetts for owner Scheigert Racing Stable. Amanda Kelley trains the winner.
Drivers Drew Monti and Bruce Ranger each had two wins on Monday while trainer Jimmy Nickerson also scored a double.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (April 29) with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)