After more than a few gallant efforts this season, Heavens Pic finally got his first win of the year with a performance that matched his career best in the $23,611 conditioned trotting feature at Plainridge Park on Thursday, Aug. 20.
Heavens Pic (Mike Oosting) landed fourth off the gate while Adios My Lindy (Brett Beckwith) trotted swiftly to the quarter in :26.3 and the half in :55.2. Heavens Pic was out and rolling at the midway point, making up ground quickly towards the leader. When the field reached three-quarters in 1:24.1, Heavens Pic was a half-length behind Adios My Lindy, but the leader opened up a two-length gap on the last turn. The tables turned quickly when they straightened for home as Heavens Pic reeled Adios My Lindy back in and went ahead by three-quarters of a length to win in 1:53.4. Manhattan Moni (Irvin Crews) finished third.
Heavens Pic ($3.20) is owned by Jamie Marra Racing LLC and his trainer, Mario Dessureault. The seven-year-old Archangel-Allerage Belle gelding is now 18-for-106 lifetime.
In the $18,056 maiden conditioned race, the Massachusetts-foaled Street Justice (Matty Athearn) made a first-over move from third moving to three-quarters and caught the pacesetting Cd Fletch (Brett Beckwith) in the stretch to win for the first time in nine starts in 1:54.3. Street Justice ($6.80) is owned by Michele Nelson and Jeffrey Nelson and trained by James Heap. He is eligible for the $3.2 million USD (est.) Massachusetts Breeders Stakes that starts on Monday, Sept 28.
Driver Brett Beckwith had a natural hat trick in races three through five to take win honours among reinsmen on the 11-race Thursday program. Lisa Watson led all trainers with two tallies of her own.
Racing will resume at Plainridge on Monday at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)