Off a first-over move, Probert won by the slimmest of margins in the $25,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap pace at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (June 7).
Powered By Mach (Drew Monti) took the lead and marched to the half in :56.4 without any resistance. Probert (Bruce Ranger) made the first move from the pack and advanced towards the leader in a quick :27.4 third quarter. The field began to bunch around the far turn but Powered By Mach was still in front by a length. Heading down the stretch, horses were coming from everywhere. Adashious Hanover (Luke Hanners) was at the pylons and Betterb Chevron N (Matty Athearn) was widest of all, but Probert is the one who got up by a neck in 1:53.4 in a photo that showed five horses across the wire.
The win was the fourth win of the year for Probert ($3.40) who is owned by Howard Jacobs, Jim Winske and Marcus Kemblowski. Melissa Beckwith trains the winner.
Earlier in the undercard event, a $17,500 conditioned pace, Dubious Claim (Jim Hardy) sat in the pocket and watched as Some Waratah A (Leon Bailey) and Waimac Attack N (Jay Randall) battled from the half to the top of the stretch. There, Hardy and Dubious Claim found racing room in the centre of the track and bolted to the line first by a nose in 1:52.3. The upsetting Dubious Claim returned $23.40 for owners David Thibault, Bob Bogigian, Steve Zajchowski Jr. and Mrs. Amy Kapilow-Cohen. Jolene Andrews trains the winner.
Matty "Ice" Athearn was the leading driver at Plainridge on Tuesday, scoring a hat trick during the afternoon.
Live harness racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (June 9) with post time at 4 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at plainridgeparkcasino.com.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)