Top flight pacing action was on tap at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (July 6) with two $25,000 Winners-Over events on the docket.
Probert (Brett Beckwith) got away fourth from her pylon-position start as Racey Rach N (Mitchell Cushing) and La Bella Vita N (Shawn Gray) traded leads going to the half. After the scuffle, La Bella Vita N was firmly entrenched on the point at the :55.2 half, but Probert was already out and rolling as the girls swept into turn two. Probert paced closer to La Bella Vita N and was only a length off at three-quarters. By the time they hit the top of the stretch, Probert looked La Bella Vita N right in the eye and then went right on by, holding off a late-closing Racey Rach N to win by one-half length in 1:51.2.
It was the third win of the year for Probert ($8.80), who is owned by Howard Jacobs, Jim Winske and Marcus Kemblowski. Melissa Beckwith was the winning trainer.
Probert was the first of three winners for Melissa Beckwith, who also scored with Greatest Ending (1:50.3, $2.20) and Boston (1:50.2, $2.20), both of which which were also steered by Brett Beckwith, who added Salt Life (1:51.3, $8) to his win list to complete his Thursday grand slam.
Then the boys went to post with Willie Go West N winning his third straight race in a new lifetime mark to remain undefeated in North America.
Driver Shawn Gray floated Willie Go West N off the gate and methodically made his way to the top passing the :26.1 quarter. After crossing over to the pylons, Willie Go West N called all the shots from there. Maintaining a two-length advantage at the half and three-quarters, Willie Go West N met little resistance from Im No Outlaw N (Jay Randall) and Dp Realordeal (Bruce Ranger) around the last turn or down the lane and cruised home in a :27.4 final panel to win by 1-1/2 lengths in a career-best 1:50.2.
Willie Go West N ($4.40) is owned and trained by Amanda Kelley.
Matty Athearn and Nick Graffam both registered driving doubles on the card.
A memorable milestone for a longtime Plainridge Park pacer occurred in the second race when the venerable 11-year-old Quick Shot won the 50th race of his illustrious career. Quick Shot (1:53, $8.80), who is owned and trained by Kathleen Brewer, also has 72 seconds and 42 thirds to go along with his win total and has banked earnings of $663,704 so far in his career.
Live harness racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (July 10) at 4 p.m. and there will be a $2,682 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)