After acquitting herself well against the toughest Open mares in North America her last two starts in the Lady Liberty at the Meadowlands and the Artiscape at Tioga Downs, Apple Bottom Jeans came to Plainridge Park on Tuesday and toyed with the field; going from worst to first to win the $16,000 Winners-Over Handicap for distaff pacers.
Apple Bottom Jeans (Jimmy Whittemore) got away last while the lead changed hands twice between Western Stepp (Nick Graffam) and Watts Was I Drinkn (Jim Hardy) by the quarter. As the field was pacing by the half, they were four in and three out with Empty Gesture (Chris Long) putting pressure on the front running Watts Was I Drinkn while Apple Bottom Jeans was still sixth and third over in the second tier.
Positions remained unchanged up the backside and Watts Was I Drinkn was looking strong in command. When they hit three-quarters, Empty Gesture’s advance had stopped and Whittemore tipped Apple Bottom Jeans three-deep into the final turn. Apple Bottom Jeans started to pace with purpose, circling from sixth to second by the time they hit the straight. As soon as she had Watts Was I Drinkn in her sight, Apple Bottom Jeans dug in and blew past the leader and paced home alone in 1:52.1 while Whittemore smiled for the photographer.
KDK Standardbreds has now benefitted the amount of $140,817 in 2018 from the accomplishments of Apple Bottom Jeans ($3.60) who has won eight times this year for trainer Kevin Switzer.
In a real oddity, 11 different drivers won the 12 races on the card with Jim Hardy being the only one to visit the circle more than once. And 12 different trainers accounted for the day’s 12 winning horses.
There was no winner in the Wicked Hi-5 Pentafecta again on Tuesday so a carryover pool of $6,291 will be available in the sixth race on Thursday when live racing resumes at Plainridge Park with post time at 4 p.m.
Thursday will be the last 4 p.m. post for 2018 as the starting time will be moved back to 2 p.m. beginning on Labor Day Monday and will remain there through the end of October.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)