Overcoming a weather delay and 'sloppy' going, Apple Bottom Jeans defeated the ground's top distaff mares in the $16,000 Winners-Over Handicap for fillies and mares at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, July 17.
High winds and heavy downpours blew in just as the sixth race ended and delayed the start of the featured seventh. But the program reconvened and the gate released the field of seven with Western Stepp speeding to the quarter in :26.4. Apple Bottom Jeans floated from post seven and dropped in fifth briefly, but came right back out at the three-eighths and motored to the rim by the time they hit the half.
Although being pursued, Western Stepp maintained a two-length lead to the three-quarters. Apple Bottom Jeans got to within one length of the leader by the top of the last turn and gained momentum as Western Stepp started to look vulnerable under urging.
When they hit the top of the lane the two mares matched strides, but Western Stepp gave way mid-stretch and Apple Bottom Jeans cruised by her to win by two lengths in 1:53 while driver Mitchell Cushing sat chilly with the whip under his arm.
Apple Bottom Jeans won for the 21st time in her career in only 51 starts and pushed her four-year bankroll to $511,828. KDK Standardbreds owns the five-year-old daughter of Mr. Apples who is trained by Kevin Switzer. She paid $3.00 to win.
In the co-featured $12,000 conditioned event, Acefortyfour Alex followed a :57 half from third before pulling at that station, grinding out a parked third quarter and then reeling the leading Empty Gesture to win by three lengths in 1:52.1, which was a lifetime mark.
Winning his second straight as well as his fourth since shipping to Plainridge Park, Acefortyfour Alex races for owner Charles Fernandes Jr. and is trained by Dennis Laterza. Mitchell Cushing sat behind the $7.20 winner.
There was no winner in the sixth race Wicked Hi-5, creating a carryover pool of $14,931 in the sixth race on Thursday, July 19 when live racing resumes at Plainridge Park.
Post time for the first race is 4 p.m.
(With files from Plainridge Park)