After making a muscle move at the three-quarter pole, Betterb Chevron N paced home much the best in the $20,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (June 14).
After an early skirmish on the front between three horses for control, Adashious Hanover cleared to the point by the stands after a quick :26.3 quarter. But it would be no rest for the weary as post time favourite Betterb Chevron N was already rolling up on the outside and ready to challenge the leader as the field headed into turn two.
Adashious Hanover and Betterb Chevron N matched strides up the backstretch, with the latter getting the advantage at the three-quarters in 1:22.4 under heavy urging from driver Matty Athearn. Betterb Chevron N cleared, opened a 1-1/2-length advantage and then maintained that lead all the way to the wire in a personal season's best of 1:51.2.
It was the sixth win of the year for Betterb Chevron N and owner William Hartt, who has now been enriched by $82,380 this year from her efforts. Lance Hudson trains the $3 winner.
Also on the card were three conditioned paces that went for $15,000 each.
In the first, Pammy Jo took the lead past the :26.4 quarter and held sway for the rest of the mile. As the race headed down the stretch she held off late challenges from six horses who fanned across the track but hung on to win in 1:52.3. Pammy Jo is owned and trained by Alicia Gray. Shawn Gray piloted the $15.80 winner.
The next saw Tisadream N take command at the quarter and back the half down to :56. There, Finnbar came first over and pushed the issue to the three-quarters. But Tisadream N put him away and paced home to a 2-1/2-length victory in another season's best time of 1:51.2. Tisadream N is owned by Tony Gruppo and Tim Bojarski and is trained by Jimmy Nickerson. Drew Monti piloted the $4.20 winner.
In the last of the three, Siri Blue Chip sat second behind Mexican Hanover through fractions of :27.1, :56.1 and 1:24 and then right to the head of the stretch. That's when Hanners popped the pocket and came at the leader. Siri Blue Chip dug in deep, made up the deficit and won by a nose in a lifetime-best 1:53. Siri Blue Chip is owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and Scott Dillon and is trained by Joe Nelson. Luke Hanners drove the $9.20 winner.
Shawn Gray was the top reinsman on Tuesday, scoring a grand slam on the card. Aside from Pammy Jo, he also won with Delightful Virgin, Althea and Working Them Angels. It was lady's day on the training side as Alicia Gray and Elisha Lafreniere each scored two wins as well.
There is a large and growing carryover of $21,998 available in the sixth-race Wicked Hi-5 wager when live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (June 16) with post time at 4 p.m. (EDT). Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website and clicking the "Racing" tab.
(Plainridge Park)