Beckwith Elims Contested At Plainridge

The feature races on Monday afternoon at Plainridge Park were two $25,000 eliminations for the $50,000 Bert Beckwith Memorial final that will be held at The Ridge on Sunday (July 24) during the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot day. 

The first leg was won by Sports Obsession who shook loose late in the stretch.

Patrikthepiranha A (Bruce Ranger) went down the road from post two, tripping the quarter in :25.4. He continued to lead to the half with Belmont Major N (Leon Bailey) in the pocket, Rollinlikethunder (Jay Randall) first over on the outside and Sports Obsession (Drew Monti) locked in fourth at the pegs.

Positions remained the same as the group passed three-quarters in 1:21.3 and Patrikthepiranha A was looking good heading into the stretch. But as the horses spread out pacing to the line, Monti got Sports Obsession free, moved into the four path and brushed home the best to win by a head in a lifetime best clocking of 1:50.2. 

With his first win of the season, Sports Obsession ($27.20) punched his ticket to the final for his owner Joe Trice and trainer Jimmy Nickerson.

The second division was won by Pocket Of Terror A after taking advantage of a swift first half.  

There was an early dust-up for the lead between Lake Charles (Nick Graffam), Vel Mr Nice Guy (Brett Beckwith) and Hudson Phil (Jay Randall) who eventually took command in :25.4. The leader continued the torrid pace to the half as Pocket Of Terror A (Leon Bailey) was moving closer first up in the breeze. 

Everything started getting tight with Rock Diamonds N (Ron Cushing) joining the fray as the front four past three-quarters and rounded the turn. Pocket Of Terror A took the lead before they hit the stretch but Rock Diamonds N was still making up ground. He got to within ¾ of a length but that was it as Pocket Of Terror A tripped the light in 1:50.3. 

Pocket Of Terror A ($9.20) scored his second win in a row at Plainridge Park for owner Scheigert and Allies Racing and trainer Amanda Kelley. 

The final of the $50,000 Bert Beckwith Memorial will be drawn tomorrow with the rest of the Spirit day program. 

Kevin Switzer, Jr. had a Grand Slam on Monday winning with Tyler Albert (1:53, $6.00), Beachchip Hanover (1:52.1, $3.80), Bag Pipe Major (1:52.3, $13.60) and Prince Ashton (1:54.4, $11.20) making him the top driver for Monday. His last two wins were trained by Elisha Lafreniere who topped all conditioners with two wins on the card.

Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (July 19) with post time at 4 p.m.

The Grand Circuit returns to Plainridge Park on Sunday (July 24) when the track will host the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot and $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace. Post time for the special matinee card will be at 2 p.m. 

(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)