Chalk bettors had a long day at Plainridge Park on Friday (Sept. 10) as price plays prevailed in the top trots during the afternoon.
Despite being in the midst of a career year, Northern Skyway was overlooked at 9-1 in the day's feature race. However he made the doubters pay after he handily won the $25,000 Open Handicap trot.
Midnight Craze (Ivan Davies) took the lead but was immediately upended by Golden Kronos (Drew Monti) just past the quarter. From there Golden Kronos took the group to the half in :57.1 and that's when Northern Skyway (Shawn Gray) came calling first-over from fifth.
Golden Kronos still had a full length advantage at three quarters but in the last turn, Northern Skyway drew alongside and then went right on by. Down the lane the gelding trotted home on top by three lengths under no urging whatsoever and won in 1:55.2.
It was the 10th win of the year for Northern Skyway ($20.80) and it raised his 2021 earnings to $84,080 for owner William Mc Elevain Jr. James Dunn trains the winner.
Another major upset came in the $15,000 secondary trotting event when Vesuvio Bi shipped back to Plainridge after a successful four-week stint in Maine and continued his winning ways.
Vesuvio Bi (Kevin Switzer Jr.) got away last after making a break off the gate as Omaha Omaha (Bruce Ranger) took the field to the half in :58.1. A first-over move by Northern Sultan (Jay Randall) then gave him the lead at three-quarters, leaving Crossfit Mouse (Drew Monti) and Vesuvio Bi in the wind and chasing. When the race fanned off the far turn Crossfit Mouse made a break while Switzer got Vesuvio Bi around him and found open road. Down the lane Vesuvio Bi bolted to the line by 1-1/2 lengths and won in 1:57.
It was the fourth win in the last five starts for Vesuvio Bi ($25.80) and owners Michele Nelson and Eric Everett. Joe Nelson trains the winner.
Vesuvio Bi's win also triggered a 3-4-6-2 superfecta that returned $18,841 for a $2 wager.
Joe Nelson ended up the leading trainer on Friday after scoring a total of three wins during the day. Nelson also won with Big Rich (1:56.1, $6.00) and Lexus Markus (1:56.2, $4.20).
Drew Monti was the top driver Friday scoring a hat trick in the bike. He drove Lexus Markus along with New Legacy (1:55, $3.60) and Ubanji (1:58.4, $8.80).
Live harness racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Sunday (Sept. 12) at 2:00 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)