JK Will Power ran off three straight wins at Plainridge Park this year before drawing post eight last week. On Monday he found himself back on the left wing and took full advantage of the situation as he won the $20,000 Open Handicap pace at The Ridge.
Duplicated N (Bruce Ranger), who won his last three starts in Massachusetts, left with enthusiasm and took the short but select field to the quarter in :26.4. But JK Will Power (Drew Monti), who never seated off the gate, came barrelling up the outside on a mission and took control of the race before they passed the stands. JK Will Power led the single-file field to the half in :55.1 and never felt pressure until the five-eighths when Bettors Fire N (Mitchell Cushing) pulled first-over with Tam Major A (Shawn Gray) on his back.
JK Will Power maintained his 1-1/2 length advantage past the 1:22.3 three-quarters and around the last turn. At the head of the stretch, JK Will Power fought off the two outside predators but Duplicated N, who had tripped-out behind the leader, found room at the pylons and was pacing up a storm. Duplicated N made up ground for six pylons before the wire but could not catch JK Will Power who under Monti urging, dominated the field to win by a head in 1:50.4.
The winning time was a new seasonal mark for JK Will Power ($4.40) and was also the fastest pacing mile of the Plainridge meet so far this year.
JK Will Power scored his fifth win of the year for owner Michael Goldberg and trainer Jeff Lieberman.
Later in the $13,000 secondary feature for $15-$20,000 claiming pacers, Passport To Art (Jim Hardy) got away sixth but pulled early and followed second-over behind Brackley Beach (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) as they both tracked the leading Nagle (Ron Cushing). Past the five-eighths Hardy tipped Passport To Art three-deep and took the lead by the three-quarters. From there he opened up a five-length lead and cruised home as Hardy sat chilly in a personal seasonal best of 1:52.1.
It was the second win of the year for Passport To Art ($15.20) and the first for owner Bob Bogigian who claimed him for $20,000 last week. Jolene Andrews was the trainer.
There was a huge Superfecta payoff in the fourth race after Prince Aston (1:54.4, $14.80) won and the first and second betting choices finished out of the exotic. The combination of 4-7-5-3 returned a whopping $12,938.80 for a $2 wager.
Drivers Drew Campbell and Nick Graffam both had two wins on Monday while trainers Chris Lefebvre and Mike Graffam also doubled up.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (May 20) with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)