After enjoying a victory over some of the better resident pacing males last week, Elm Grove Inarush took on nine of the best distaff side-wheelers in the commonwealth and bested them as well in the $15,000 filly and mares Open Handicap pace at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon.
With cold wind, rain and a sloppy track setting the stage, six ladies left off the gate, eventually settling into spots as the race proceeded into the first turn. Mezzanine Fashion (Steve Nason) was the one who took the lead and tripped the first timer in :26.2. As soon as they passed that station, Beautiful Lady (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) then pulled from third and took command before the field finally got a breather after that.
As the jockeying for position was happening on the front, Elm Grove Inarush (Greg Merton) was content to stalk from sixth until the three-eighths pole when she started her methodical first-over trek with considerable ground to make up. Merton kept her steadily improving position through the slow :58 middle half and by the three-quarter pole Elm Grove Inarush was looking Beautiful Lady in the eye for the lead.
The two paced in step for about an eighth of a mile before the race spiraled off the far turn. Elm Grove Inarush took the lead at that point and extended it with every stride as she paced down the lane, winning by a loose five-lengths in 1:52.4.
It was the fourth win of the year and 31st of her career for Elm Grove Inarush ($8.20) and it pushed her purse total to $40,830 for the year. Owned by Martin Valentic and John Bednarski, Jr., Elm Grove Inarush is trained by Elisha Lafreniere.
The meet’s leading driver, Greg Merton had another big day at the Ridge on Tuesday, winning four of the 11 races on the card. He achieved the grand-slam with Alexas Prayer ($9.60, 1:54), Steuben Cindy ($4.00, 1:55.3), Elm Grove Inarush ($8.20, 1:52.4) and UF Dragons Hanover ($4.20, 1:54.4).
Reinsmen scoring driving doubles during the afternoon included Kevin Switzer, Jr., Jim Hardy and Steve Nason who lit up the board in the fourth race with 45-1 shot Allan Cay, returning $92.60 for the win.
Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon with post time for the first race set at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)