Lightly regarded at the windows, Bet You made the faithful take notice after putting in a career-best performance when winning the $14,000 New England-owned Winners-Over pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon, Aug. 12.
Bet You pulled from third past a :26.4 quarter and took the lead from Quick Shot before a :55.1 half and proceeded to open a three-length lead. Rolling up the backside, he maintained that margin to three-quarters and around the last turn while the competition tried to keep pace. When the race headed for the wire, Quick Shot was relentless in his pursuit to catch the leader and did begin to cut into the deficit. But Bet You held firm and hung on to win by a length in 1:50.3.
The winning time was a seasonal mark for Bet You and tied his lifetime-best mile.
It was the 30th win for Bet You and pushed his total earnings to $489,932. Scott Dillon owns the seven-year-old gelded son of Bettors Delight-Armbro Amoretto that is trained by Joe Nelson. Kevin Switzer Jr. drove the $17.40 winner.
The $12,000 upper-level conditioned secondary feature was a heavyweight battle between Tisadream N, who shot right for the lead, and Betterlatethannever, who had the same idea in mind. Tisadream N got to the quarter in :26.3 but Betterlatethannever was right on his back before trying to clear. Tisadream N would not give up position so Betterlatethannever sat wide moving to the turn.
After tripping the half in :54.1, the two horses continued pacing in tandem up the backstretch to three-quarters in 1:22, where Fernleigh Rebel N tipped three wide and joined the fray off the last turn. As they hit the stretch Tisadream N regained a length lead and refused to lose in deep stretch to hit the line first in 1:51.1.
It was the second-straight win and fifth of the season for Tisadream N who has now earned $40,040 this year for owners Tony Gruppo and Tim Bojarski. Scott Rollins trains the winner. Drew Monti drove the $3.60 winner.
The $10,000 Nauset Light is Plainridge Park’s two-year-old developmental pacing series and the first leg was contested on Monday.
Mancrush (Captaintreacherous-Authorize) floated off the wings to the quarter by driver Jimmy Whittemore and eventually settled on the lead in front of the stands the first time. From there he led the group the rest of the way, holding off Sweet Lucille and Han Solo by a half length at the wire in 1:55.1.
It was the second victory for Mancrush who is owned by M And L of Delaware and trained by Marissa Chadbourne. He paid $4.60 to win.
Kevin Switzer Jr. had the hot hand at The Ridge Monday leading all other drivers with three wins on the card.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 14, with post time at 4 p.m.
(Plainridge Park)