Despite being pestered the entire mile, Justa Little Bit A stood his ground and hung on to win the featured $23,611 Trackmaster pace at Plainridge Park on Friday, June 19.
Matty Athearn sent Justa Little Bit A to the front, but Jim Hardy also launched favourite Anvil Hands in the same direction and the match race was on from there. Justa Little Bit A had the pylon position while parking Anvil Hands, who was aired-out in fractions of :27.2, :56.2 and 1:24.1. The two pacers continued to match strides around the last turn and into the stretch, where the rest of the field started to bunch. As they headed for the wire, Justa Little Bit A pulled away from Anvil Hands in deep stretch and held off a late-closing JLs Rock Star (Nick Graffam) to win by a neck in 1:53.3 in a photo finish with the entire field separated by only 1-3/4 lengths.
The win was the third in 10 starts this year for Justa Little Bit A, a nine-year-old Cammibest-Inthemidnighthour gelding who is owned and trained by Gretchen Athearn. The pacer now has 26 career victories and earnings just shy of the $400,000 mark.
The win payout was $11 with Justa Little Bit A sent off as the 9-2 fourth choice.
Bruce Ranger and Scott Renz were the leading driver and trainer on Friday's eight-race card, scoring two wins apiece.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday at 4 p.m. and there will be a $5,271 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the sixth race.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)