Moonshine Kisses Takes Plainridge Open Pace

After finishing second parked out last week fresh off a track record tying performance on August 1, Moonshine Kisses got back to his winning ways by taking the $20,000 Open pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon.

The five-horse field produced a four horse dash for the lead with Sports Obsession (Drew Monti), Rollinlikethunder (Matty Athearn), Pocket Of Terror A (Nick Graffam) and Moonshine Kisses (Jay Randall) strewn four wide across the track heading into the first turn. When the dust settled, Rollinlikethunder took the point and crossed the quarter in :25.4. Positions remained unchanged to the half where Pocket Of Terror A pulled first-over and Moonshine Kisses followed intently on his back. 

Rollinlikethunder and Pocket Of Terror A paced side by side in front to three-quarters with only three lengths separating the entire field. Around the last turn, Moonshine Kisses tipped three-wide and was followed by Always A Miki (Luke Hanners) heading into the stretch. Moonshine Kisses collared the game Rollinlikethunder halfway down the lane and then held off the late charging Always A Miki to win by a length in 1:50.2.

It was the third win of the year for the heavily favoured Moonshine Kisses ($2.20) and owner Kellogg Racing Stables. Jackie Greene trains the fleet-footed pacer. 

Moonshine Kisses was one of three wins for Randall on Monday. 

Later in the $17,500 upper-level conditioned pace, Sundown Kid (Matty Athearn) took an early lead and kept it to the wire. After tripping the timers at :27, :55.2 and 1.22.2, Athearn and Sundown Kid took their three length lead at the top of the stretch and maintained it to the wire where they stopped the clock in a season's best 1:50.2.

Sundown Kid ($29.20) is owned by Kevin Gee, Robert Kopak and Randy Bickmore, who also does the training.

Finally in the $15,000 conditioned pace, Sea Isle City (Drew Monti) pulled first-over from fourth in pursuit of the front-running Salt Life (Brett Beckwith) who had gotten to the half in :56. The two horses paced in close proximity up the backside, around the far turn and halfway down the lane where Sea Isle City got a one-half length advantage at the wire and won in 1:51.3.

Sea Isle City ($7.80) is owned by Barbara Ethier and is trained by Jamie Gerard.

Monti ended up with two wins during the day while trainers Jim Dunn and Scott Renz also doubled up their victories on Monday. 

Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (Aug.16) at 4 p.m.

(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)