After following live cover through the second half of the race, Handlelikeaporsche accelerated late to upset at 21-1 in the $34,247 Open Handicap Pace at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, April 28.
Grey Horizon (Drew Monti) played hardball off the gate, grabbing the lead and seating Mr Mclaren N (Larry Stalbaum) and Mullinax (Shawn Gray) while zooming through early splits of :26 and :54.2. At the midway point, Nick Graffam tipped Handlelikeaporsche from fifth and flushed out Mullinax, who charged down Grey Horizon through three-quarters in 1:22 while also providing cover for Handlelikeaporsche.
Mullinax and Grey Horizon were on near-even terms through the last turn until Mullinax pulled ahead at the top of the lane. Graffam then called for speed from Handlelikeaporsche down the lane, and the gelding took command and held off the fast-closing Whats Stanley Got A (Cory Stratton) and Vicious (Kevin Switzer Jr.) to win by a half-length in 1:51. Whats Stanley Got A flew for second over Vicious.
Handlelikeaporsche ($45.40) is owned by Pollack Racing LLC and trained by Melissa Beckwith. The six-year-old son of Lazarus N-The Signature is now 14-for-91 lifetime.
In the $30,136 Open II Handicap Pace, Borninlockdown Gb (Kevin Switzer Jr.) took an early lead and never looked back. After setting fractions of :27.2, :56.1 and 1:23.3, Borninlockdown Gb cruised home on top by two lengths in 1:51. Solesseo Matuca A (Graffam) closed for place over Heinikin Bythebay (Jay Randall).
Borninlockdown Gb ($3.40) trained by Joe Nelson for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The six-year-old Foreclosure-Judy Hall gelding won for the 19th time in 63 career outings.
Drivers Matty Athearn, Nick Graffam and Kevin Switzer Jr. all had three wins apiece on the 11-race card. Trainer Gretchen Athearn ended the day with two victories for her stable.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)