Jun 27, 2018
After finishing third and second in her first two outings at Plainridge Park, Meadows transplant Show Runner made three moves en route to claiming her first victory at the Ridge in the $16,000 fillies and mares Winners-Over Handicap pace on Tuesday afternoon (June 26).
The outside posts got away best as Tempus Seelster (Greg Merton) took the lead from post seven, seating Western Stepp (Drew Campbell) who also left from post eight. Show Runner (Shawn Gray) who got away third, was not deterred by the :26.2 first panel and pulled to go up for the lead. Tempus Seelster tried to prevent her from clearing but she took over by the three-eighths. The lead only lasted for a few strides as Merton asked Tempus Seelster was once again and she retook by the half in a quick :54.2. As soon as the dust had settled from that move, Campbell made his from third with Western Stepp and got to the front midway up the backstretch.
Western Stepp proceeded to open up a three length advantage at the three-quarter pole while Show Runner was suddenly locked in fifth, at least six lengths off the pace. With the gap widening, Gray was able to regroup and get Show Runner off the pylons around a fading horse and then ducked back down low around the far turn. At the top of the lane, Western Stepp had still held a two length margin but Gray saw the pylon lane part like the Red Sea and got Show Runner in gear. From there the mare out-paced three other closing horses and caught the leader to win by a neck in a five-horse photo in 1:52.3.
It was the 57th lifetime win for Show Runner ($3.00) and it put the California-bred...