Always Bstunning N Rocks Again At Plainridge

Always Bstunning N
Published: July 17, 2025 08:16 pm EDT

For the second week in a row, Always Bstunning N captured the $34,247 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Plainridge Park on Thursday, July 17 on the strength of a game stretch drive.

Always Bstunning N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) got away last in the six-horse field as Swedish Starlet N (Matty Athearn) marched smartly on the lead through quarters of :27 and :55.4. At the half, Side Piece (Drew Monti) moved first-over and pushed through a :27 third panel while Always Bstunning N drafted behind her, one out and one back, to three-quarters in 1:22.4 .

As the race made its way through the last turn, Swedish Starlet N put away Side Piece but was bracing for Always Bstunning N, who was now three-wide and pacing up a storm. At the top of the stretch, Always Bstunning N and Swedish Starlet N hooked up and paced stride-for-stride all the way to the wire before Always Bstunning N got the advantage by a head and won in 1:51.2. Intothemysticmoon (Nick Graffam) and Seaside Tina (Mitch Cushing) dead-heated for show.

The win was the sixth of the season in 10 outings for Always Bstunning N ($4.40), whom owner Richard Poillucci brought in from New Zealand earlier this year. The six-year-old daughter of Always B Miki-Simply Stunning is trained by Gretchen Athearn.

Earlier, in the $26,712 conditioned pace for five-year-olds and under, Bartertown (Aaron Byron) sat at the cones mid-pack as Joy In Mudville (Switzer), Jackson Cooper (Graffam), and Whats For Suppaah (Bruce Ranger) traded leads through the first three-quarters of the mile. When the field came off the far turn, Bartertown found room, shook loose from the group, and barreled down the center of the track to snag the win by a half-length in a new lifetime mark of 1:50.4. Justcallmebuck (Brett Beckwith) closed for place over Whats For Suppaah.

Upsetting at 27-1, Bartertown ($57.50) registered his fifth win of the year in 13 attempts for owner/breeder Dragon Tales Farm Inc. and trainer Michelle Crawford.

Mitchell Cushing had a driving triple on Thursday while trainer Randy Bickmore won two races.

Live racing will resume on Sunday when Plainridge Park will host the biggest day of racing in New England. The Grand Circuit returns, featuring the $250,000 USD Spirit of Massachusetts Trot and $100,000 USD Clara Barton Distaff Pace. Post time for this outstanding day of harness action is set for 2 p.m.

(With files from Plainridge Park)

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