It was ladies' day at Plainridge Park on Thursday, Sept. 21 as feature paces for fillies and mares topped the card of 11 races.
In the $25,000 Winners-Over Handicap headliner, Therewasthisgirl (Nick Graffam) got away fourth behind the headstrong Wahs Fire Bug N (Kevin Switzer Jr.), who scooted to the half in :55.1. At that point, Booraa N (Ron Cushing) was moving second in the breeze and Therewasthisgirl drafted behind her cover. Positions remained unchanged to three-quarters and around the last turn where Therewasthisgirl tipped three-high and was under a drive. Wahs Fire Bug N was feeling the heat with every stride as Therewasthisgirl closed in from the outside while the pocket-sitting Rys Red Rocket (Bruce Ranger) was bolting up the pylons. As they got to the line, Therewasthisgirl finished best and got the win over Rys Red rocket in 1:51.3 to take a new seasonal mark.
The win was the 15th lifetime for Therewasthisgirl ($11.80), who is owned by the George Ducharme Stable and Heather Marshall. George Ducharme also trains the winner.
In the $20,000 upper-level conditioned event, Racey Rach N (Mitchell Cushing) went right to the front and was never headed from there. Leading by a gapped advantage through quarters of :27, :56.1 and 1:23.2, Racey Rach N hit the top of the stretch in front by four lengths and extended it to 5-1/4 lengths when she hit the light, an easy winner in 1:52.
Racey Rach N ($5) is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Scott Dillon and is trained by Joe Nelson.
It was also the third win on the card for Mitchell Cushing.
Driver Jim Hardy had a three-bagger as well on Thursday, two of which were trained by Jolene Andrews, who along with Mike Graffam scored two wins apiece.
Live harness racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. when the $3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes will kick off the 2023 season. Plus there will be a $8,383 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)