After spending the last two weeks competing at Yonkers Raceway, Better Said shipped back to Plainville and brought her New York attitude along as she would not be denied in the $18,000 Open Handicap for filly and mare pacers at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon (July 14).
Better Said (Shawn Gray) wanted the lead, but had an arduous journey getting it. After leaving from mid-pack, she was still parked at the quarter in :26.1 and didn't find the pylons until the three-eighths pole. Better Said then got a very short breather before the pressure was thrust on her once again.
Elm Grove Inarush (Greg Merton) motored up the outside and drew alongside the leader down the backstretch, and at that point this contest became a match race. Better Said was inside with Elm Grove Inarush on her flank, and the pair separated themselves from the pack around the last turn. Merton tried hard to keep Elm Grove Inarush advancing, but Gray leaned back in the bike with the lines held high. Better Said held sway to win by a length in 1:52, which was a new seasonal mark.
It was the fourth win of the year for Better Said ($6.00), pushing her earnings to $42,840 for owner Michael Polansky. The five-year-old daughter of Well Said is trained by Kyle Spagnola.
In the co-featured $10,000 conditioned pacing event for resident distaffers, Golden Idol (Eddie Davis, Jr.) flew off the wings and dictated every step of the mile as she peerlessly toured the facility before pulling away to a six-length win in 1:52, which was a new lifetime mark.
Golden Idol ($3.80) is owned by Barrie Farrar, Roger Farrar II and Michael Perpall, and is trained by Barrie Farrar.
Kevin Switzer, Jr., Eddie Davis, Jr., Jim Hardy and Greg Merton all had driving doubles on the card.
Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (July 17) at 4:00 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)