It was an impressive encore performance for The Bird Dance N, who made it two in a row by winning the $20,000 Winners-Over Handicap at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Aug. 2).
Driver Ron Cushing took The Bird Dance N off the gate and settled in last as Blu Crew (Bruce Ranger) dictated a moderate :27.4 quarter. As the field motored down the stretch for the first time, Cushing was already out and rolling with The Bird Dance N and steadily gained real estate around turn two.
When Blu Crew hit three-quarters in 1:24, The Bird Dance N had drawn even with the pocket-sitting Cigars And Port (Wally Watson) and had the leader in his sights. He drew alongside Blu Crew in the last turn, and when the pair hit the stretch, Cushing fed The Bird Dance N line and the gelding paced away on his own to a 1-1/4-length victory in 1:51.4.
The Bird Dance N ($5.60) remained undefeated at Plainridge Park — as well as in North America — for owner Scott McKenzie and trainer Heidi Gibbs.
Later in the $15,000 upper-level conditioned secondary feature, The Moonshadow N (Bruce Ranger) also made it two wins in a row at Plainridge after making a first-over move from third past the half, tracking down the front running Foo Fighter N (Shawn Gray) at the head of the stretchm and then out-muscling him to the finish, where he won by three-quarters of a length in seasonal best-tying 1:51.3.
The Moonshadow N ($5.00) is owned by his trainer, Melissa Beckwith, along with Stephen Demeter, Joseph Jannuzzelli and Mark Harder.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. had a big day at Plainridge, winning four out of the last five races on the card to get a grand slam, with a natural hat trick in the final three contests.
Trainer Milt Vickerson won both halves of the daily double to garner two wins for the day and lead all other conditioners on Monday.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Aug. 5) with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)