Six-year-old pacing mare LA Always Amartini had been based at Yonkers Raceway until last week when she shifted northeast and finished second at Plainridge Park.
Seven days later, the second time was a charm for her as she scored her first Massachusetts win in the $15,000 conditioned feature for six-year-old and younger distaff pacers at The Ridge on Thursday afternoon.
LA Always Amartini (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) watched from sixth as Sweet Sue (Jim Hardy) and Maverick Fiber (John Nason) played give-and-go with the lead to the half. After reaching that station in :56, Sweet Sue became the pacesetter for the second time and braced for the assault from the rear.
Sweet Style (Jay Randall) came rolling first up on the rim with LA Always Amartini on her back, but that line-up changed near the three-quarter pole when Switzer tipped LA Always Amartini three-deep into the last turn and drew alongside Sweet Sue. Now embroiled in a heated dispute, Hardy and Switzer both started driving hard with lines and tails flagging in the breeze. Sweet Sue fought hard to hold her position but LA Always Amartini had the better foot this day and pulled away to a 1-1/4 length win in 1:53.4.
It was the first win of 2021 and a seasonal mark for LA Always Amartini ($6.80) who is owned by Fox Racing. Jimmy Nickerson trains the winner.
There was an instant jackpot payout in the sixth race Wicked Hi-5 Pentafecta at Plainridge on Thursday. Despite the even money favourite Lillian Rose (1:55.3, $4.00) winning the race, 59-1 shot For Chips Sake finished third and 38-1 Tempra Hanover finished fifth to bring serious value to the 3-7-9-5-1 combination that paid $10,930.92 for a 20-cent wager.
Bruce Ranger led all drivers with three wins on Thursday.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday (May 7) with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)