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Another record was broken in the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Oct. 1) afternoon, and another was tied in the second leg for 2-year-olds of both gaits and sexes who lined up behind the gate in seven races that totaled $315,000 in purse money.

The pacing fillies, trotting fillies, and pacing colts and geldings were each divided into two $40,000 splits due to the number of entries, while trotting colts and geldings competed in one $75,000 dash.

Drivers Brett Beckwith and Marcus Miller were tops in the bike as they both had two winners in stakes competition.

The new standard was established in the $75,000 trot for colts and geldings, where Belmondo (Walner-Love Lockedon) got a perfect trip and struck late in record time.

Belmondo (Marcus Miller) lined up behind Castel Lindy (Yannick Gingras) off the gate and followed his live cover through quarters of :28, :57.2 and 1:26, where My Degenerate (Tyler Miller) made his way to second heading into the last turn. But when they got to the top of the stretch, My Degenerate broke, giving Miller a clear shot with Belmondo, who trotted furiously past Castel Lindy to win by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:55.

The time was a lifetime mark for the winner in his first career victory, a new stakes record for a 2-year-old male trotter, and a new track record for a 2-year-old trotting gelding.

Belmondo ($8.40) is owned by the Andy Miller Stable, One Legend Stable and Jean Goehlen and is trained by Julie Miller. Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred Belmondo.

The stakes record that was tied came in the first division of trotting fillies, in which R Lady W (Walner-Born Lindy) captured her first lifetime win.

R Lady W (Brett Beckwith) was sitting second at the quarter behind Corner Store (Yannick Gingras) and followed until Corner Store made a break at the three-eighths pole and pulled to the outside. From there, R Lady W opened up a three-length advantage and found herself at the half in an easy :59.3. R Lady W picked up the tempo from there by putting together back-to-back quarters of :28.2 and :28.1 to finish the mile in 1:56.1 for the win.

The time was a new lifetime mark and also tied the stakes record for 2-year-old trotting fillies.

R Lady W ($5.40) is leased by M & L of Delaware and trained by Linda Toscano. Lindy Farms of Connecticut also bred R Lady W.

The second division of trotting fillies was won by Riviera Princess (Cantab Hall-Dubai Princess), who turned in the mile of her life.

Yannick Gingras sent Riviera Princess to the point from post six and dominated the field from there. Leading by 1-1/2 lengths the whole way, Riviera Princess set splits of :30.1, 1:00 and 1:29.2 before turning for home and scooting away by six lengths in a :28.1 final panel to win in 1:57.3.

Riviera Princess ($4.40) broke her maiden with a stakes victory for owner K R Breeding and trainer Domenico Cecere. Greathorse bred Riviera Princess.

Stellar performances were put in by both divisions of pacing colts and geldings.

In the first, Digging For Gold (Huntsville-Gold Orchid N) got his second straight Massachusetts stakes victory.

Digging For Gold (Nick Graffam) led to the quarter before Jon I Love Dat (Mitchell Cushing) rolled up the outside to take command. Now sitting second, Digging For Gold followed the leader to the half in :55.4 and then pulled just before the 1:24.3 three-quarters to take the lead back from Jon I Love Dat in the last turn. In the stretch, Graffam line-drove Digging For Gold to the line on top by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:53.

It was the sixth win in only nine starts for Digging for Gold ($3.80), who is owned by his trainer, George Ducharme, in partnership with Jim Winske and Dr. Megan Moschgat. Bamq bred the winner.

The second group of freshman pacing males saw a major upset when Mass Transit (American Ideal-Spreckles) closed late to win at 33-1.

Mass Transit (Ron Cushing) got away a distant fifth as McCusker (Bruce Ranger) blazed a trail to the quarter in :26.3 and the half in :54 on top by four lengths. When McCusker got to three-quarters in 1:22.2, the field had reeled him in and Seafood Star (Matty Athearn) was pacing alongside as Mass Transit was now only four lengths off in fifth. The field bunched at the top of the stretch, and Mass Transit found himself four-wide in the middle of the track and making up ground with every stride. Then, just before the line, Mass Transit took the lead by three-quarters of a length and won in 1:53.3 to set a new career mark.

It was the first lifetime win in only his third lifetime start for Mass Transit ($69.60) who is owned by EVM Racing, Stephen Demeter and Team Tritton and trained by Shane Tritton. The Chesapeake Equine Clinic bred Mass Transit.

There were also two divisions of pacing fillies that went to post.

First, Beantown Deuce (Huntsville-Don’t Think Twice) got her second straight stakes victory in her best performance to date.

American Lily (Steve Rybka) was leading the way as Beantown Deuce (Brett Beckwith) was covered in second, enjoying the trip. After they reached the half in :57.2, Yannick Gingras pulled It’s Crunch Time from third and rocketed to the lead by three-quarters. But just like that, It’s Crunch Time made an untimely break, leaving American Lily, Beantown Deuce and a now interested Chasing Dudes (Nick Graffam) just a length apart at the top of the stretch. As they made their way down the stretch, Beantown Deuce did the better work of the three and pulled away to a two length win in 1:54.4, taking a new lifetime mark in the lone non-betting event of the day.

Beantown Deuce is owned by Michael Goldberg Racing, who also bred the filly in conjunction with Andrew Harris Racing.

The second set of filly pacers was bested by Wassail Blue Chip (Courtly Choice-Baccara Hanover), who had control of the race from start to finish.

Marcus Miller had Wassail Blue Chip in front through quarters of :28.4, :59.1 and 1:27.3, where Moneymakesherhappy (Brett Beckwith), who had recovered from an earlier break, was now second on the outside. That challenge lasted to the top of the stretch, where Wassail Blue Chip paced away from Moneymakesherhappy while holding off the pocket-sitting Beantown Roberta (Matty Athearn) in deep stretch to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:56.1.

It was the third win in the last four starts for Wassail Blue Chip ($2.10), who is owned by his trainer, Erv Miller, in partnership with Andray Farm and David Miller. Blue Chip Bloodstock bred Wassail Blue Chip.

Three records fall in Mass Breeders Stake at Plainridge Park

It was a record breaking day in the Massachusetts Breeders Stake at Plainridge Park on Monday (Sept. 30) afternoon after three stake standards were rewritten by some of the finest state-bred 3-year-olds who were competing in the second leg of the series whose five races were valued at $305,000.

The pacing fillies went in two $40,000 splits due to the number of entries while all other divisions competed in one $75,000 dash.

The connections of driver Yannick Gingras, trainer Ron Burke and owners Thomas and Scott Dillon had a big day as they sent two record-breaking horses to post while another talented triumvirate of driver Bruce Ranger, trainer Domenico Cecere and owner/breeder Lindy Farms of Connecticut also boasted a record-setter in one of their two stake wins.

Gingras, Burke and Dillon got started in the $75,000 pace for colts and geldings where they saw their Rocknroll Lou (Sweet Lou-Beautiful Lady) win his second straight Mass Stake start in record time.

Rocknroll Lou got away third as O’er The Ramparts (Brett Beckwith) and Bang Ah Uey (Jimmy Hardy) traded leads in the :26.3 first quarter. After Bang Ah Uey finally crossed over, he settled in and got to the half in :55 before heading up the backstretch. As the race passed five-eighths, Gingras tipped Rocknroll Lou and bolted to the front before three-quarters, but couldn’t clear a defiant Bang Ah Uey around the last turn. But at the top of the stretch, Gingras asked more of Rocknroll Lou and he delivered, pacing home on top by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:51.1.

The clocking was the fastest mile of his life for Rocknroll Lou ($2.10), who also set a new stake record for 3-year-old male pacers and became the fastest 3-year-old pacing gelding ever bred in Massachusetts.

Rocknroll Lou was bred by Lester Gelardi and Anthony Passafaro.

The Gingras, Burke and Dillon trio also won with Every Mans Dream (Always B Miki-Lindy’s Nightmare) who made it two in a row in the first $40,000 leg for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Color Me Sweet (Brett Beckwith) was bold on the front and cut the mile while Every Mans Dream (Yannick Gingras) sat in the pocket. Color Me Sweet stepped off fractions of :27.2, :56.4 and 1:25.1 before entering the last turn. It was there that Gingras tipped Every Mans Dream and in a matter of a few strides, went right past the leader and then stormed home on top by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:52.4.

It was the third win of the year for Every Mans Dream in the non-betting event, who was bred by Lindy Farms of CT.

Then the group of Ranger, Cecere and Lindy got to work and were responsible for the third stake record of the day that came in the $75,000 event for trotting fillies where their Treatyofversaille (International Moni-Birthright) turned in the mile of her life.

Dawn Of Lindy (Yannick Gingras) was the early leader until Ranger and Treatyofversaille came rolling up on the outside to take the lead past the quarter. From there, Treatyofversaille got to the half in :56.4 and three-quarters in 1:25.1 where Sassy Zaza (Brett Beckwith) was making her bid on the outside. As they made their way through the far turn, Treatyofversaille started to separate from the field and in the stretch, pulled away to a 2-3/4 length victory in 1:53.4.

The time was a new lifetime mark for Treatyofversaille ($4.40) and also rewrote the stake record for 3-year-old filly trotters.

Ranger, Cecere and Lindy’s second win came in the $75,000 trot for colts and geldings where Intl Blockade (International Moni-Love N Lindy) bounced back from an untimely break last week.

Ranger shot right to the front with Intl Blockade and posted snappy and uncontested quarters of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:26.2 before facing a challenge from Keep Asking (Nick Graffam), who moved first-over from fourth to sidle the leader in the last turn. At the top of the stretch, Keep Asking had fought his way to the lead, but the race was not over. Intl Blockade manned-up and came back strong, taking back the lead at the top of the stretch before trotting home under a line-drive by Ranger to win in 1:54.4.

It was the sixth win in only 10 starts this year for Intl Blockade ($5.60).

The second $40,000 split for pacing fillies went to Beantown Ace (Captain Crunch-Ace Of Pace) who got the nod in a blanket finish.

Real Shady Lady (Shawn Gray) grabbed the lead at the quarter from Valentine Rose (Matty Athearn), but Valentine Rose recaptured the front and led the single-file field to the half in :57.2. As the race made its way to three-quarters, Beantown Ace pulled first-over and drew even with the leader before entering the final bend. In that turn, Real Shady Lady tipped three-wide around both of them and things got real interesting. When the group turned for home, Beantown Ace pulled ahead of Valentine Rose and then held off Real Shady Lady and the late closing Who’s Perfect (Heath Campbell) to win by a quarter length in 1:55.3.

It was the third win of the year for Beantown Ace ($6.20) who is owned and bred by Michael Goldberg Racing. George Ducharme trains the winner.

There was another impressive track record set in non-stake action later in the card where Leanne’s Choice (Courtly Choice-Village Madonna) turned in the fastest mile ever paced by a 3-year-old filly at Plainridge Park. And she did it as the only filly in the field against eight colts and geldings.

Making her first start since the Jugette in Delaware, OH, Leanne’s Choice (Marcus Miller) led every step of the way en route to a 1- 3/4 length victory in 1:50.2, which gave the filly a new lifetime mark and also set the new Plainridge standard.

Leanne’s Choice ($3.80) is owned by her trainer Erv Miller, in partnership with Ronald Michelon and Douglas Overhiser.

Jon I Love Dat lowers mark in Massachusetts Breeders Stakes

A total of $315,000 in purses were on the line for state-bred 2-year-olds in the first leg of the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Sept. 24) afternoon. Three of the divisions went in two $40,000 splits with trotting colts and geldings going a lone heat for $75,000.

Pacing colts and geldings went in two groups, and they were highlighted by the performance of Jon I Love Dat (Downbytheseaside-Franney Love Dat), who set a new Massachusetts Breeders Stakes record.

Mitchell Cushing put Jon I Love Dat on the point and paced unchallenged through quarters of :27.1, :56.4 and 1:24.3. When he reached the stretch, Jon I Love Dat continued his dominance and paced to the wire without any urging and won by two lengths in 1:52.4, setting the new stakes record.

Jon I Love Dat ($6.20) was bred by his owner, Robert Lovett, and is trained by Chuck Connor Jr.

The other group of pacing males was bested by Digging For Gold (Huntsville-Gold Orchid), who got his first Massachusetts stakes victory.

Silent Weapon (Marcus Miller) was leading at the quarter, but Scott Zeron had Digging For Gold out and rolling from third and grabbed the lead past that station. Digging For Gold continued to lead through three-quarters, where Seafood Star (Matty Athearn) made an outside bid towards the leader from third. Digging For Gold and Seafood Star battled through the turn and into the lane, where Digging For Gold stayed strong and won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53.4.

It was the fifth win in the last six starts for Digging For Gold ($3.20), who is owned by trainer George Ducharme in partnership with Jim Winske and Dr. Megan Moschgat. Bamq was the breeder of Digging For Gold.

Trotting fillies also went behind the gate, and Corner Store (Six Pack-Seven Eleven) made quick work of her rivals in the lone non-betting event.

Yannick Gingras had Corner Store on the point and ahead by two lengths while tripping the timer in :30.4, 1:01.4 and 1:31.2. Corner Store then turned for home and stretched out to a 3-1/4-length victory in 1:59.4.

Corner Store is owned by her trainer, Paul Kelley, in partnership with Matthew Lamont, Ellen Palillo and Leo Bauer. William Johnson was the breeder for Corner Store.

In the second division of trotting fillies, Bridgeoverbroadway (Six Pack-Black Broadway) opened up a huge advantage early and stayed tough to close it out late.

Troy Beyer unleashed Bridgeoverbroadway, and she opened up a six-length gap at the :27.2 quarter. Bridgeoverbroadway maintained her growing and seemingly insurmountable lead to eight lengths at the half and continued into the backstretch. It was there that Riviera Princess (Yannick Gingras) starting picking up the slack and reeled in Bridgeoverbroadway with every stride. When they got to the head of the stretch, Bridgeoverbroadway’s lead was down to two lengths and Riviera Princess was still closing in. But at the wire, Bridgeoverbroadway hung on to a half-length lead and won in 1:56.2.

The time was a new lifetime mark for the winner and only one-fifth of a second off the stakes record.

Bridgeoverbroadway ($5.60) competes as a homebred for trainer Mike Eaton and ownership partner Bob McHugh.

In the first of two races for pacing fillies, Beantown Deuce (Huntsville-Don’t Think Twice) settled in second behind American Lilly (Steven Rybka), who took the field to three-quarters in 1:28.4. It was there that Brett Beckwith pulled Beantown Deuce from the pocket and put her in play. Beantown Deuce was in full flight as she collared American Lilly and paced home on top by a length in 1:56.4, which was a new lifetime mark.

Beantown Deuce ($9.80) is owned by Michael Goldberg Racing, trained by George Ducharme, and was bred by Michael Goldberg and Andrew Harris.

The second group of pacing fillies saw It’s Crunch Time (Captain Crunch-Meghan Lynn) pace away and hide in a lifetime-best effort.

Yannick Gingras put It’s Crunch Time on the lead, and they extended their advantage at every station after that. After stopping the clock in :29, :57.4 and 1:25.3, It’s Crunch Time hit the line ahead by 16 lengths in 1:54, which was a new lifetime mark.

It’s Crunch Time ($2.10) is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke.

Crawford Farms bred It’s Crunch Time.

Finally, the trotting colts and geldings went to post with Castel Lindy (Walner-Love N Lindy) going gate-to-wire while tying the stakes record.

Yannick Gingras took an easy lead with Castel Lindy and set solid fractions of :28.3 and :58.2. As the race moved top the backstretch, Scott Zeron tipped Belmondo from third and Drew alongside Castel Lindy in the final turn. Belmondo continued to pressure Castel Lindy into the stretch and down to the wire but never got the advantage as Castel Lindy hung on by a neck in 1:55.4, which was a new lifetime mark.

Castel Lindy ($2.40) is owned and bred by K.R. Breeding and trained by Domenico Cecere.

Every Man’s Dream sets Mass stake record at Plainridge

The 2024 Massachusetts Breeders Stake kicked off at Plainridge Park on Monday (Sept. 23) afternoon with 3-year-olds of both sex and gaits lining up for their share of the $305,000 in available purses.

All four 2-year-old Mass-champions were on hand to defend their titles with Every Man’s Dream, Keep Asking and Rocknroll Lou all getting a jump on a second straight title.

Stars of the day included drivers Yannick Gingras and Scott Zeron and trainers Ron Burke and George Ducharme who all had two wins in stake action on Monday.

In the first of two $40,000 split pacing filly divisions, Every Man’s Dream (Always B Miki-Lindy’s Nightmare) set a new stake record after she registered a statement win in her non-betting event.

Yannick Gingras got away third with Every Man’s Dream as Beantown Ace (Nick Graffam) set the tempo to the half in :57.3. Every Man’s Dream was out and rolling past that station and took the lead at three-quarters. From there, Every Man’s Dream was in a race of her own as she opened up by 11-lengths and broke the beam in 1:52.1, setting the new stake record.

It was the second consecutive win for Every Man’s Dream who is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke. Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred the winner.

The second 3-year-old pacing filly split went to the 1-9 favorite Color Me Sweet (So Surreal-Letherriptaterchip) who led the whole race by an open length for driver Shawn Gray before turning for home and stretching out to a 2-1/2 length victory over Going My Way (Bruce Ranger) in 1:56.1 to claim her fourth consecutive win.

Color Me Sweet ($2.10) is owned by her breeder/trainer Alicia Gray, in partnership with Sarah Brown.

A single $75,000 division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings was next and Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility) picked up where he left off in this series last year.

Zeron pushed Keep Asking off the gate and took the lead before they entered the turn. They then set fractions of :27.2, :57.1 and 1:25.3 before the pocket sitting Intl Blockade (Bruce Ranger) pulled to advance towards the leader. Keep Asking and Intl Blockade then matched strides around the last turn and entered the stretch dead even. But three pylons in, Intl Blockade made a break leaving Keep Asking by himself to cross the wire on top by 1-1/4 lengths over International Law (Marcus Miller) in 1:54.2.

The win pushed Keep Asking ($2.40) over the half-million dollar mark in lifetime earnings, as the colt has now earned $502,699 for owners WJ Donovan, Joe Sbrocco, Jim Winske and George Ducharme, who also trains the winner. Donovan, Sbrocco and Winske bred Keep Asking.

The trotting fillies were up next in their $75,000 event and International Gift (International Moni-Box Of Gifts) got her second straight win at Plainridge.

Zeron left with International Gift and led the single-file field through quarters of :28.4, :58.2 and 1:27.2. At that last station, Gingras tipped Dawn Of Lindy from third and blasted towards the leader. International Gift and Dawn Of Lindy trotted side-by-side around the last turn and into the stretch where International Gift got a slight advantage to beat Dawn Of Lindy and a fast closing Sassy Zaza (Brett Beckwith) in 1:55.4.

International Gift ($3.40) is owned by her trainer George Ducharme, in partnership with Winter’s Racing and Nicola Oliva. Ducharme and Oliva also bred the filly.

The last $75,000 dash for the day was for pacing colts and geldings and Rocknroll Lou (Sweet Lou-Beautiful Lady) flexed his muscle in his first win of the year.

Gingras took a gradual overland route to the front but eventually took control at the :27.3 quarter. With Bang Ah Uey (Jim Hardy) sitting right in the pocket, Rocknroll Lou got to the half in :56.1 before being challenged by Poverty Sucks (Nick Graffam) to three-quarters. Rocknroll Lou paced clear after Poverty Sucks broke off the turn before Bang Ah Uey tipped at the top of the lane to take his shot. But Rocknroll Lou was not to be beaten as he coasted home by two lengths in a new lifetime best 1:52.4.

Rocknroll Lou ($2.80) is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and is trained by Ron Burke. Lester Gelardi and Anthony Passafaro bred the winner.

There is a very rare occurrence scheduled to happen at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Aug. 22) afternoon. Five offspring from the same broodmare will be competing on the same program that day at The Ridge. Plus one grandson, a son of one of her mares, is also scheduled to compete.

The mare responsible for all this racing success is Tori Hall, a now 19-year-old daughter of Conway Hall-Trapeze Artist who was originally purchased to race, but became a broodmare “by accident.”

Kathy Beaman and her husband Earl own Tori Hall. The Beaman’s first got involved in harness racing in the 1960s when Earl trained horses at Hinsdale Raceway. But for most of their time in the sport, they have been primarily owners. Over the years they’ve had 37 horses, the bulk of which they bred.

Kathy Beaman looked back at how they came to own Tori Hall.

“Ivan Davies trained Tori Hall for Mike Andrews in Maine and raced her through her 2-year-old season when Mike decided to sell her. Ivan called us and said he had a real nice filly and that he thought we should buy her. My husband and I talked it over and decided to move forward with it and paid $35,000 for her,” explained Beaman.

The Beaman’s bought her as a racehorse with the long term goal of breeding her, but the breeding happened sooner than they had hoped.

“We raced her three times as a 3-year-old and she had two wins and a third from those starts. But then she got her leg caught up in a jog cart and got injured. So we did a lot of work with her to get her sound and tried to bring her back two years in a row, but it didn’t work out so we went ahead and bred her,” said Beaman.

That unfortunate situation turned into a blessing in disguise as they soon found out their mare was a natural at turning out racehorses. To date, Tori Hall has been bred eight times, has produced eight foals that all raced as 2-year-olds, and all have taken marks and competed in the Massachusetts Sire Stakes.

The horses in order of foaling are EB Stoli (Cash Hall – 1:59, $20,214), Catalina Cash (Cash Hall – 1:56.4, $76,626), Pirate (RC Royalty – 1:55.1, $116,727), Tobasco (Deweycheatumnhowe – 1:55.1, $283,923), Raybarnz (Crazed – 1:53.3, $222,152), Poppy Wow (Crazy Wow – 1:55, $127,700). Pepper Wow (Crazy Wow – 1:55.4, $43,180) and Halifax (Royalty For Life), who just qualified and will be making his first lifetime start.

Her first three foals no longer race. EB Stoli was retired. Catalina Cash went to the sale at the end of her 3-year-old year and became the dam of Six Pack Mack, who is also racing on Thursday. And Pirate, who ended up getting a very bad ankle infection and had to be retired as well.

The remaining five, Tobasco (race 10), Raybarnz (race seven), Poppy Wow (race four), Pepper Wow (race three) and Halifax (race two), are all racing on Thursday.

Currently the Beaman’s own Pepper Wow (in partnership with Shirley Michaud) who is trained and driven by Ivan Davies along with Poppy Wow and Halifax who are trained by Jolene Andrews and driven by Jimmy Hardy.

Beaman speaks glowingly about all the success Tori Hall has had in the breeding shed and rightfully so.

“She is a 100% producer and very close to being a 100% producer on her first try each time. Dave Hanson has bred her almost every single time and they are just like a magic combination. We send her over there and he gets her in foal, usually on the first try. And we have a cross that we really like to use,” said Beaman.

“We like to breed to New York sires, but what’s driven all her later breedings was our connection to JL Cruze. Tori’s full sister is Topcat Hall, who is the dam of JL Cruze. So we have tried to stay within that Credit Winner family. We used Crazed for Raybarnz, but then he got exported and we were not able to make a connection with his new farm. So we have been using the offspring of Crazed as much as we can since.”

The Beaman’s are looking to go back to Crazy Wow next year since he’s back in New York. Beaman said they have been very happy with Poppy Wow and Pepper Wow and that seems like a good combination to go back to.

Tori Hall is currently on a farm in Winchester, NH and has a Six Pack on the ground with her now. Considering her very impressive record of producing, the question is how many more years will she be bred? Beaman said whatever is best for the mare.

“I really don’t know the answer to that because she is getting older. But in all of her pregnancies, she’s never had any problems so she’s easy like that. But I think it’s getting harder for her to crank out these babies year after year. So as long as she’s healthy, we’ll let her tell us when she’s had enough. And then we’ll just retire her and let her live her life out on the farm.”

“We have been in this for a long time and we have given it our all. We really care about these horses and it’s a bonus when we get positive results. Over the years, we couldn’t be happier with the hard work Ivan (Davies), Jim (Hardy) and Jolene (Andrews) have put in and the results they have gotten. I think the fact that five offspring are all racing on one day gives testament to the excellent care they have all received from all their handlers over the years. It’s a labor of love and it really does take a village,” concluded Beaman.

Massachusetts champion Keep Asking comes home

for $100,000 Battle of Bunker Hill Trot

(Photo courtesy of Tom Melanson)

The Grand Circuit returns to Plainridge Park on Thursday (May 16) featuring the $100,000 Battle of Bunker Hill Trot for 3-year-olds. Six have entered the race, but one of the key players is a hometown hero, born and raised.

Rochester, Mass., in April 2021 and was destined for dual stakes eligibility, a result of Massachusetts’ resident mare program. And the colt took full advantage of all his opportunities during a freshman year that ended with him becoming a Massachusetts Sire Stakes champion.

George Ducharme, who is also from Massachusetts (namely Walpole, just a few pylons down the road from Plainridge), trains Keep Asking and he looked back on his star trotter’s first year on the track.

“He’s a little on the smaller side, so we kept him for just New York and Massachusetts and it worked out fine. He turned out to be a pretty good horse. He earned some money and everyone was happy,” said Ducharme.

His first six lifetime starts were in the New York Sire Stakes where he earned $148,813 by winning twice, finishing second and third one time each and never missing a check. He made the $225,000 final but drew post eight in adverse weather, got caught third over in traffic and eventually finished eighth, but only beaten 3-3/4 lengths.

“He had done everything we’d asked him to do. When he got good at the end, he drew the eight hole for the (NYSS) final and it came down pouring buckets that day at Yonkers. He really had no chance that day,” said Ducharme.

At that point, Keep Asking’s stay in New York had ended for the year, but his season was far from over.

Ducharme and Keep Asking headed back home in late September to compete in the Massachusetts Sire Stakes, which turned out to be a series he would go on to sweep.

The trotter won all three preliminary legs by a combined margin of 15 lengths and entered the $150,000 final as the prohibitive 1-9 favorite. And Keep Asking didn’t disappoint as he closed out his year with a 1:55.4 victory and put another $135,000 in the bank for his four week stand in the Commonwealth.

“We went back to Massachusetts and he dominated there and did it easily. He’s good and strong, finishing his miles. We didn’t have to stretch him out chasing and shipping him all over the country. That really made a difference and his confidence level really perked up at the end. He knew he was a good horse at the end, winning all those races. We’re happy with him that way,” said Ducharme.

“We raced the mare (Sensibility) so it’s a good story that our homebred turned out to be what he is so far. I really like his attitude and he really likes his job. He was very willing every time we asked him to make the next step and did it easily.”

Keep Asking will be making his first start of this year in the Bunker Hill Trot and looks to be a major contender coming off an easy gate-to-wire qualifier in 1:54.2 at Vernon Downs. But this may only be the start of something big as the colt is heavily staked this season.

“He’s filled out and matured. He’s Hambo eligible. We paid him to the Canadian Trotting Classic, Breeders Crown, all that stuff. He’ll tell us what he’s ready for but if he’s good enough, we’re going to give him a go for sure. We’ll get him over the big track and stretch him out a bit,” said Ducharme.

“I think he’s going to improve. Whether he can make the next step this year? We’re going to give him a chance to find out and let him tell us where he fits best. It looks like two of them (Karl and T C I) are heads and shoulders above everyone else, off of last year anyway.

I think he’ll be able to play with that group below Karl and T C I but we kept New York and Mass, so if he’s not good enough, he falls back into that league,” said Ducharme.

The $100,000 Bunker Hill Trot is carded as race five on Thursday with an estimated post time of 5:20 p.m. Post time for the first race at Plainridge Park is at 4 p.m. For the complete field for the race, click here.

Eight $150,000 events made up of the best 2- and 3-year-old trotters and pacers bred in the Bay State went postward in the $1.2 million finals of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes at Plainridge Park on a perfect fall Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 24), and the day produced champions, records and streaks. Rooster Bennett, Dame and Inter Mischief, who all won their respective divisions of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes last year at 2, reclaimed their titles at 3; two stakes records were tied; and driver Yannick Gingras drove the winners of four out of the eight finals.

MASS points and earnings after week three

Dame ties record, Gingras grand slams in Mass Stakes

(Photos courtesy of Tom Melanson)

The third leg of the $3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes for 3-year-olds was held at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Oct. 17) and the races produced a laundry list of headlines including streaking winners and personal and stake records.

There was only one single class contested for $75,000 as the other three went split divisions for $40,000 each due to the number of entries.

The most impressive performance of the day was put on by Dame (Dude’s The Man-Seat By The Window) who won her $40,000 division for pacing mares. It was her third straight Mass stake win and puts her in the driver’s seat to become a repeat champion.

Jim Hardy put Dame right on the point in the non-betting event and dominated the entire race. As she set fractions of :26.4, :56 and 1:24, Dame extended her lead at every station. At the top of the stretch, Dame had opened up four lengths and as she paced under wraps to the line, extended it to five while winning in 1:52.2.

The time was a new lifetime mark for Dame and it also tied the Massachusetts Sire Stake record for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Dame is owned and bred by Stephen Richard and is trained by Jolene Andrews.

The lone $75,000 race was for pacing colts and geldings and Rooster Bennett (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) won his third straight to also remain unbeaten in the Mass stakes this year, making his own strong statement to become a two-time champion. The win was also the first of four for Yannick Gingras during the afternoon as he had a stellar outing in the bike.

Rooster Bennett went right to the front in the second non-betting event and was challenged by So Rock N Roll (Kevin Switzer Jr.) for most of the final half. The two paced in close proximity all the way down the stretch, but Rooster Bennett was the best and won in 1:53.3.

Rooster Bennett is trained by Nancy Longobardi who partnered with Dominic Longobardi, bred and own the gelding.

Two of Gingras’ next three winners were behind Domenico Cecere-trained trotters, starting with the first $40,000 filly division. Cecere finished the day with three winners coming from his stable.

In the first, The Wise One (Muscle Hill-Grandma’s Moni) won her second Mass stake after following Way Off Broadway (Steve Smith) from third through the first three-quarters of the race. At that station, Pembroke Moni (Scott Zeron) tipped from second and The Wise One followed into the last turn. At the top of the stretch, the top three were almost even across the track with The Wise One having the best foot home to win by one-half length in 1:55.4.

The Wise One ($2.80) is owned and bred by Moni Maker Stable.

Cecere also won the other $40,000 filly trot with Milliondollarwall (Walner-Mom’s Millionaire) with Bruce Ranger in the bike. Milliondollarwall also came first-over from third and tracked down the leading Lauren’s Hoopla (Scott Zeron) to win by 1-½ lengths in 1:55.2.

Milliondollarwall ($3.80) was also owned and bred by Moni Maker Stable.

Then Gingras won with Cecere’s International Man (International Moni-Birthright) in a $40,000 division for male trotters. International Man followed Walter’s Keepsake (Nick Graffam) the entire mile as Inter Mischief (Kevin Switzer Jr.) applied the outside pressure. Heading to the line, International Man was raging with trot but had no room at the pylons. Finally just before the wire, Gingras found a crack and drove his colt right through it to win by a nose over Walter’s Keepsake in 1:56.1.

International Man ($3.00) is owned and bred by Lindy Farms of Connecticut.

The second $40,000 colt and gelding trot was won by Bravado (Trixton-Bourbon N Grits) who sat third behind Yo Lucky Moni (Jimmy Whittemore) until he hit the backstretch when he rolled up the outside and continued to gain ground into the final turn. When they straightened for home, Bravado closed out his :28.1 final quarter with a 1-¾ length win in 1:56.2.

Bravado ($7.20) is trained by George Ducharme for owners Ray Campbell Jr. and Al Ross. It was Ross who bred the winner.

Gingras fourth win came in the second $40,000 split for pacing fillies behind the Ron Burke-trained Azariya (Lazarus N-Lainey Deo), who led every step of the way. Azariya set fractions of :27.3, :56.2 and 1:24.3 before turning for home and stretching out to a 1-½ length, lifetime best win in 1:53.

Azariya ($4.20) is owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, his driver Gingras and Frank Canzone. Deo Volente Farm bred the winning filly.

The $1.2 million finals of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes will be held on Tuesday (Oct. 24) when eight divisions worth $150,000 each will go postward. Horsemen are reminded there will be a detention barn for the finals and all horses must be checked into the stable area at Plainridge Park no later than 8 p.m. on Monday (Oct. 23).

Two stay perfect in Massachusetts Sire Stakes at Plainridge

(Photos courtesy of Tom Melanson)

The third leg for 2-year-old eligibles of the $3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes were held on Monday (Oct. 16) at Plainridge Park and the roster of undefeated freshman participants was whittled down to two when the action concluded.

In the $75,000 pacing filly division which was the first of two non-betting events, Every Man’s Dream (Always B Miki-Lindy’s Nightmare) made it three in a row for her connections and she dominated her group once again.

Yannick Gingras took Every Man’s Dream off the gate to third and waited until the field settled. He then brushed and crushed the lead before the half and the rest was history. Every Man’s Dream was already pulling away at three-quarters and by the top of the stretch, had opened up four lengths on the field. Even as Gingras had her wrapped up, Every Man’s Dream pulled away in the lane to an 8-¼ length win in 1:53.4.

It was the seventh lifetime win for Every Man’s Dream who is owned by Thomas Dillon and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke. The Dillon duo also bred their winner.

The other remaining unbeaten is Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility) who took a $40,000 split of the trotting colts and geldings division.

Keep Asking (Scott Zeron) sat second behind International Law (Yannick Gingras) through quarters of :29.4, :59.3 and 1:29.2 and then around the last turn into the stretch. At that point, Zeron tipped Keep Asking off the pylons to make his bid and at that moment, International Law made a break, leaving Keep Asking to coast to an easy 5-¼ length win in 1:57.4, making it three straight in this series.

Keep Asking ($2.40) notched his fifth win in his last six starts for the ownership and breeding group of W Donovan, Joe Sbrocco, Jim Winske and the George Ducharme Stable. George Ducharme trains Keep Asking.

The other $40,000 male trotter split was won by Foreign Moni (International Moni-Dancing Coed) who didn’t disappoint as the heavy favorite.

Jay Randall had the lead with Foreign Moni as soon as the gate opened and dominated the field from there. After getting to three-quarters in a very measured 1:30.3, Foreign Moni scooted home under no duress whatsoever and won by 2-½ lengths in 1:59.4.

It was also the fifth win in the last six starts for Foreign Moni ($2.10) who is owned and bred by his trainer George Ducharme in partnership with Jim Winske.

The $75,000 division for trotting fillies was an event filled race that saw untimely breaks lead to International View (International Moni-Snowblind Lindy) getting her first Mass Stake victory with the upset.

International View (Jim Hardy) got away fourth as the heavy post time favorite, Dawn Of Lindy (Yannick Gingras) made a break off the gate. While that was happening, International Gift (Scott Zeron) grabbed the front and sped away to a three length lead at the :28.4 first quarter. Positions remained unchanged to the five-eighths where the front-running International Gift made a break too, leaving The Great CB (Steve Smith) to take over the lead. At three-quarters, Hardy was rolling in the breeze with International View and they engaged The Great CB stride for stride around the last turn. When they straightened for home, International View got the edge and ended up on top by 1-¼ lengths at the line in 1:58.1, which was a new lifetime mark.

International View ($32.20) is owned by Stephen Richard and trained by Jolene Andrews. International View was bred by K R Breeding.

Hardy and Andrews also teamed up to win the other non-betting event of the day, the $75,000 2-year-old colts and geldings pace with Bang Ah Uey (Western Maverick-Caila Fra), who tripped-out to his first lifetime victory.

Rocknroll Lou (Yannick Gingras), who won his first two legs of this group, went right to the front and was tracked every step of the way by the pocket-sitting Bang Ah Uey. Rocknroll Lou went :28, :56.2 and 1:25 as his shadow, Bang Ah Uey, laid in wait. At the top of the stretch, Hardy made a right with Bang Ah Uey, drew alongside Rocknroll Lou and then looked him in the eye and went right on by to take his lifetime mark of 1:53.3.

Bang Ah Uey is owned by David Thibault, Paul Vacca and his driver Hardy. The trio also bred the gelding along with Ed Nowak Jr.

On Tuesday (Oct. 17), the Massachusetts Sire Stakes 3-year-olds will make their last preliminary starts with their third legs going postward. Then next week, the leaders from both age groups will compete in the $1.2 million finals that will be held on Tuesday (Oct. 24). Horsemen are reminded there will be a detention barn for the finals and all horses must be checked into the stable area at Plainridge Park no later than 8 p.m. on Monday (Oct. 23).

Rocknroll Lou breaks three records in Mass Stakes at Plainridge

(Photos courtesy of Tom Melanson)

Week two of 2-year-olds competing in the $3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes at Plainridge Park got underway on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 3) and history was made in three different categories by Rocknroll Lou (Sweet Lou-Beautiful Lady) after a very impressive effort in the $75,000 division for male pacers.

Yannick Gingras got away third with Rocknroll Lou, but pulled early at three-eighths to take the lead from Poverty Sucks (Nick Graffam) in front of the stands. When he crossed over, he was already on top by three lengths as Gingras had him revved up and rolling onto the backstretch. Rocknroll Lou paced his third quarter in :27.2 and it was clear he was on a mission. When he turned for home, Rocknroll Lou was under Gingras-wraps and tripped the timer in 1:53.1.

The clocking was a new lifetime mark for Rocknroll Lou, but it also broke the Plainridge Park track record and the Massachusetts Sire Stake record for a 2-year-old pacing gelding, and it also saw him become the fastest 2-year-old pacing gelding ever bred in the state of Massachusetts.

It was the second straight MaSS win for Rocknroll Lou ($2.10) who is owned by Thomas Dillon and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke. Rocknroll Lou was bred by Lester Gelardi Jr. and Anthony Passafaro.

Burke, Gingras and Team Dillon also dominated the $75,000 pacing filly division with Every Mans Dream (Always B Miki-Lindy’s Nightmare) who was another runaway winner for her connections in an early non-betting event.

Gingras floated Every Mans Dream on the outside fifth, while Beantown Ace (Nick Graffam) and Who’s Perfect (Heath Campbell) shuffled for the front. Once that dust had settled, Every Mans Dream switched gears and bolted to the lead and full control at the :57 half. Gingras grabbed leather in the third quarter as only the pocket-sitting Beantown Ace was close. But when he hit the last turn, he gave his filly her head and Every Mans Dream flew home :27.3 and won by six lengths in 1:53.3.

It was the second straight MaSS win and the sixth win of the year for Every Mans Dream.

The filly trotters also went one division for $75,000 and Gingras completed his stake triple with Dawn Of Lindy (Walner-Moni From Heaven) who got a second MaSS win and matched her lifetime mark in the process.

Dawn Of Lindy left from post seven and dropped in fourth as Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell) made her way to the half in :59.2. With no one pulling right lines, Gingras made the first move and flushed The Great CB (Steve Smith) from the pocket, giving himself cover trotting up the backside. The Great CB cleared and Dawn Of Lindy pulled alongside at three-quarters. The two trotters tangled in close proximity around the far turn and into mid-stretch where Dawn Of Lindy started to pull away and eventually won by 2-¼ lengths in 1:57.3.

Dawn Of Lindy ($4.00) is owned by the Paul Kelley Racing Stable, Matt Lamont, Thomas Pontone and Neil Goldstein. Paul Kelley trains the winning filly bred by Moni Maker Stable.

Gingras added a win in an overnight event, giving him a grand slam for the day.

The male trotters went in two $40,000 divisions and were both won by George Ducharme trainees, steered by Nick Graffam.

First, Chasing Crystals (Six Pack-Crystalline) came first-over on the front-running Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) and was closely followed by Intl Blockade (Bruce Ranger). Chasing Crystals took the lead at the top of the stretch but had to fight off Intl Blockade all the way to the wire where he won by a neck in 1:59.3 to take his first lifetime win.

Chasing Crystals ($33.00) is owned and bred by Ray Campbell Jr.

The second division was won by Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility) who left, made a short break at the quarter, and then regained his composure once he got to the front. Keep Asking was then well rated by Graffam with back to back :29.2 quarters before they opened it up coming home with a :28 closing sprint that gave him a 2-¾ length win in 1:56.4.

Keep Asking ($2.80) won his second straight MaSS race for owners/breeders W Donovan, Joe Sbrocco, Jim Winske and the George Ducharme Stable.

The Massachusetts Sire Stake will be off next week and reconvene on Monday (Oct. 16) with the third leg for eligible 2-year-olds. The 3-year-olds will follow on Tuesday (Oct. 17).

Dame, Wallop, big winners in Mass Stakes at Plainridge

(Photos courtesy of Tom Melanson)

The second session of 3-year-olds went behind the gate in the $3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Oct. 2) and the close competition produced five new lifetime marks, only two winning favorites and seven different trainers each winning one division over the lightning fast track. Six of the seven divisions were split, more specifically for male trotters and fillies of both gaits and each went for $40,000.

The only group that went one $75,000 division were the “glamour boy” sophomore pacers where Rooster Bennett (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) crowed loudest again. Yannick Gingras bided his time in second with Rooster Bennett while Good Will Lindy (Mitchell Cushing) set a :25.3 quarter. But as the leader began stopping at the half, Gingras pulled Rooster Bennett and took control at that station. Now established on the point, Rooster Bennett rationed out the speed to three-quarters and finished strong in the lane, holding off a game So Rock N Roll (Kevin Switzer Jr.) to win by 1-¾ lengths in 1:53.

It was the second straight MaSS win for Rooster Bennett ($2.60) who is owned and bred by his trainer Nancy Longobardi, in partnership with Domenic Longobardi.

The fastest mile of the stake card was turned in by the pacing filly Dame (Dude’s The Man-Seat By The Window) who is also two for two in the MaSS this year. Jim Hardy sent Dame to the front in the non-betting event that took place before the first race and never looked back. After setting panels of :28, :57.2 and 1:25.2, Dame scooted home in a swift :27.1 to stop the clock at 1:52.3, giving her a new lifetime mark. The time was also just one-fifth of a second off the stake record.

Dame is owned by and bred by Stephen Richard and trained by Jolene Andrews.

The second group of filly pacers went an equally impressive mile as South St Dottie (Western Maverick-No Shadows) turned in a career mile. Nick Graffam took the lead from post one with South St Dottie and got to the half in :56.3 when the heat really came. Azariya (Yannick Gingras) and Danceforthemoney (Shawn Gray) were in the outer flow heading to three-quarters and closing ground in the last turn. Danceforthemoney was right on South St Dottie’s wheel at the top of the stretch and paced alongside her all the way to the wire. But she came up a neck short as South St Dottie hung on to win in 1:53.3 to establish a new lifetime mark.

South St Dottie ($8.60) is owned and bred by Jan Donaway and is trained by Mike Graffam.

The first group of male trotters was bested by Yo Lucky Moni (International Moni-Unbelindyble) who got his victory on the strength of a career best effort. Jimmy Whittemore also cut the mile with Yo Lucky Moni who took a two length lead to the :58.4 half. International Man (Yannick Gingras) got into the action on the outside up the backstretch and got to within one-half length of Yo Lucky Moni at the top of the stretch. But as they headed down the lane, Yo Lucky Moni would not be denied and won by a length in 1:54.4.

Yo Lucky Moni ($20.80) is owned by Verlin Yoder and trained by Marissa Chadbourne. Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred the winner.

In the second split for male trotters, Wallop (Walner-Love N Lindy) garnered his second straight MaSS win and fifth straight overall. Yannick Gingras sent Wallop to the front and got to the half in an easy :59.1 before Walter’s Keepsake (Nick Graffam) moved first-over from third to apply some pressure. Wallop maintained control, but the pesky Walter’s Keepsake wouldn’t go away. The two trotters battled all the way to the line where Wallop won by a neck in 1:57.1.

Wallop ($2.60) is owned by Thestable Wallop Group and is trained by Melissa Beckwith. Wallop was bred by K R Breeding.

The winners of both filly trots also took lifetime marks.

Laurens Hoopla (E L Titan-Tattoo You) took the lead past the quarter and was in full flight to the half in :57. She was a loose leader heading up the backstretch and into the last turn where the heavy favorite The Wise One (Yannick Gingras) had made her way from fourth to second and was only a length away from the leader. However that was as close as she would get as Laurens Hoopla was very strong in the lane and won by 1-½ lengths in a lifetime best 1:54.4.

Laurens Hoopla ($25.00) is owned and bred by Ray Campbell Jr. and trained by George Ducharme.

The second group had a runaway winner in Poppy Wow (Crazy Wow-Tori Hall) who got a perfect rating from Ivan Davies. After backing down the second quarter to :30, Davies tapped the gas and Poppy Wow opened up four lengths at three-quarters. From there, she swelled up and trotted home all alone on top by seven lengths in 1:55.4, which was a new lifetime mark.

Poppy Wow ($17.40) is owned by Shirley Michaud along with Earl and Kathy Beaman, who also bred the winner.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Oct. 3) at 2 p.m. when the second leg of the $3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes goes behind the gate featuring the state’s best bred 2-year-olds.

Burke, Ducharme double-up in Massachusetts Sire Stakes

(Photos courtesy of Tom Melanson)

Plainville, MA — The second day of the $3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes held at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Sept. 26) featured 2-year-old performers of both gaits and genders and dominant winners prevailed in most of the events. The fillies went one $75,000 race each on the trot and pace while the colts and geldings had split divisions for both gaits that were valued at $40,000 apiece.

Ron Burke brought a pair to Plainridge and both were decisive winners. He started the day winning the $75,000 division for pacing fillies with Every Man’s Desire (Always B Miki-Lindy’s Nightmare) in one of the two non-betting events. Yannick Gingras got away second with Every Man’s Desire and followed Beantown Ace (Scott Zeron) through quarters of :28.4, :58 and 1:27.2. When the race entered the last turn, Every Man’s Desire exited the pocket and paced past Beantown Ace before they even hit the stretch. When Every Man’s Desire turned for home, she sprinted away to a 2-¾ length win in 1:55.1.

It was the fifth win of the year for Every Man’s Desire, who is owned by Thomas Dillon and Scott Dillon. Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred the winner.

Dillon and Dillon also owned Burke’s second victor, Rocknroll Lou (Sweet Lou-Beautiful Lady) who himself was a runaway winner in a $40,000 division for pacing males. Gingras went right to the front with Rocknroll Lou and controlled the race from there. With no solid threat from behind, Rocknroll Lou cruised on top by as many as four lengths and got to three-quarters in a tepid 1:28.2. Gingras hit the gas at the point and Rocknroll Lou flew home in :27.1 to win by four in 1:55.4, getting his first lifetime win.

Rocknroll Lou ($2.20) was bred by Lester Gelardi and Anthony Passafaro.

The other $40,000 colt and gelding pace was won by Poker Sy (Captaintreacherous-Hidden Land), who also got his first lifetime victory. Jason Bartlett had an easy time taking the lead and then rated Poker Sy perfectly. After slowing the half to 1:00.1, Poker Sy scooted home in :57.2 to win by 10-½ lengths in his first lifetime win. Poker Sy ($2.10) is owned and bred by Jesmeral Stable and is trained by Christie Collins.

George Ducharme did his best work in the trots and captured both $40,000 divisions for colts and geldings.

The first win came with Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility) who simply dominated his group in another non-betting event. Scott Zeron set a modest :59.2 half on the point and then opened up four lengths at three-quarters. Dashing around the turn, Keep Asking kept going and opened up a seven length gap at the line, winning in 1:59.

Keep Asking got his third win of the year for owners W Donovan, Joe Sbrocco, Jim Winske and the George Ducharme Stable. Sbrocco, Winske and Ducharme also bred Keep Asking.

Ducharme’s second score was Foreign Moni (International Moni-Dancing Coed) who won by an even greater margin. Jay Randall sat chilly on top by a length with Foreign Moni through very even fractions of :30.1, 1:01 and 1:30.4 as International Law (Yannick Gingras) pushed the third panel after recovering from an earlier break. The pair spun around the last turn and then headed down the lane side by side until International Law made another break, leaving Foreign Moni home free by 9-½ lengths in 1:59.

Foreign Moni ($8.40) won his fourth in a row for the breeding and ownership team of Ducharne and Winske.

The other $75,000 division was for filly trotters and Dawn Of Lindy (Walner-Moni From Heaven) won in a hard-fought victory. Gingras got away third with Dawn Of Lindy while The Great CB (Jeff Gregory) and International Gift (Scott Zeron) traded leads to the quarter. After International Gift finally settled on the front, she led a single file field to three-quarters where Dawn Of Lindy pulled from third and started towards the top. As they headed down the lane, International Gift was still on top, but Dawn Of Lindy was closing on the outside while the Great CB was motoring up the pylons. As the wire drew closer, so did the trotters and they hit the line with only a head separating all three, leaving the photo to show Dawn Of Lindy getting the nod for her first lifetime win timed in 1:57.3.

Dawn Of Lindy ($11.00) is owned by her trainer Paul Kelley along with Matt Lamonte, Thomas Pontone and Neil Goldstein. This was the third stake victory of the day for Gingras, but he added two overnight wins giving him a five bagger for the afternoon.

The Massachusetts Sire Stakes will reconvene at Plainridge Park on Monday (Oct. 2) at 2 p.m. when the second leg of 3-year-olds will go postward.

Hats off to Gingras, Zeron in Mass Stakes at Plainridge

(All photos courtesy of Tom Melanson)

The $3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes got underway at Plainridge Park on Monday (September 25) and visiting drivers Yannick Gingras and Scott Zeron both had hat tricks, driving three winners apiece out of the eight MASS divisions that went postward. And it’s noteworthy that those divisional winners were sent behind the gate by eight different trainers.

All races for both genders went in two divisions Monday due to the number of entries and each carried a purse of $40,000. The day-long rain had the track listed as “wet-fast” and it turned out some very impressive performances.

Gingras won both divisions for male pacers starting with last year’s 2-year-old champion Rooster Bennett (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl), who put in a very strong performance going gate to wire. Gingras had Rooster Bennett on top by two lengths almost the entire mile and defeated the pocket-sitting So Rock n Roll (Kevin Switzer Jr.) by one-half length in 1:54. Rooster Bennett ($2.10) is owned and bred by Nancy Longobardi and Dominick Longobardi. Nancy Longobardi also trains the winner

Gingras added wins with the pacing colt Colt Bennett and filly trotter The Wise One. Gingras also had an overnight win to give him a grand slam for the afternoon.

3-year-old pacing colts and geldings

Name – Colt Bennett (Rock N Roll World-Unbleachable)

Owner – Nancy Longobardi

Trainer – David Crochere

Breeder – Steve O’Toole

Time – 1:55.2

Mutuel – $11.40

3-year-old trotting fillies

Name – The Wise One (Muscle Hill-Grandma’s Moni)

Owner – Moni Maker Stable

Trainer – Domenico Cecere

Breeder – Moni Maker Stable

Time – 1:57.1

Mutuel – $2.10

Scott Zeron’s three wins were topped by a big effort from pacing filly Azariya (Lazarus N-Lainey Deo) who drafted along third behind My Sweet Kate (Matty Athearn) until the top of the stretch. There, Zeron tipped her three-wise and tracked down the leader and then fought off Seafood Beauty (Jay Randall) in deep stretch to win by a neck in a lifetime best 1:53.2. Azariya ($13.00) is owned and trained by Duane Marfisi. Deo Volente Farm bred Azariya.

Zeron’s other two wins came behind the trotting geldings Walter’s Keepsake and Wallop.

3-year-old trotting colts and geldings

Name – Walter’s Keepsake (Walner-Alabama Keepsake)

Owner – Al Ross

Trainer – George Ducharme

Breeder – Al Ross

Time – 1:56.4

Mutuel – NB

3-year-old trotting colts and geldings

Name – Wallop (Walner-Love N Lindy)

Owner – Thestable Wallop Group

Trainer – Melissa Beckwith

Breeder – K R Breeding

Time – 1:58.2

Mutuel – $5.40

Another defending 2-year-old Massachusetts champion well on her way to another crown is Dame (Dude’s The Man-Seat By The Window) who simply dominated her sister pacing fillies. Jim Hardy put Dame on the point and she did the rest after that. As she set fractions of :28, :57.3 and 1:26, Dame also extended her lead from one length at the quarter to three lengths at the top of the stretch. Then, Dame bolted home easily to win by 5-½ in 1:53.1, which was only one-fifth off her lifetime mark.

Dame ($2.10) is trained by Jolene Andrews for owner/breeder Stephen Richard.

Another solid win with lifetime mark came from Way Off Broadway (E L Titan-Black Broadway) who also dominated her division of trotting fillies. Troy Beyer sent Way Off Broadway to an easy lead and then rationed out her speed from there going quarters in :28, :57.3 and 1:26.4 with Laurens Hoopla (Scott Zeron) following right on her back. At the top of the stretch, Way Off Broadway opened up a two length advantage and won handily in 1:55.3, taking a new personal best.

Way Off Broadway ($15.20) is owned and bred by Mike Eaton and Bob McHugh. Eaton also trains the winner.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Sept. 26) at 2 p.m. when the 2-year-olds will line up for their first swing at the 2023 Massachusetts Sire Stakes. Also, there will be a $10,419 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.

Massachusetts Sire Stakes start Monday

(Photo of Keep Asking courtesy of Fotowon)

The Massachusetts Sire Stakes will kick off its four week run at Plainridge Park on Monday (Sept. 25) and for the first time in its history, total purses have hit the $3 million mark. Another milestone that was achieved this year was the largest amount of eligible horses that entered the first weekend. A total of 74 horses will compete over the first two days, making it the most populated draw in the 25 years the series has been held at Plainridge.

There will be eight 3-year-old divisions going on Monday for a total of $320,000 and six 2-year-old groups will start on Tuesday (Sept. 26) for a combined $310,000. Post time for both days is 2 p.m.

Walpole, Massachusetts native trainer George Ducharme has entered a total of 11 horses over the two days including the 2-year-old trotting colt Keep Asking (Chapter Seven- Sensibility), who is a two-time winner on the New York Sire Stake circuit this year, took a new mark of 1:54 at Vernon Downs and has already earned $148,813 in purses. That 1:54 win at Vernon equalled the track record for 2-year-old trotting colts set by Crazy Wow in 2014. Ducharme also has the promising 2-year-old trotting gelding Foreign Moni (International Moni-Dancing Coed) who is a three time winner this year coming into the series.

Another Plainridge regular trainer who is well represented is Domenico Cecere who will start five in week one led by the 3-year-old trotting filly The Wise One (Muscle Hill-Grandma’s Moni), who is a five time winner this year, has a mark of 1:54.1 at Mohegan Sun Pocono and has made multiple stake starts in New Jersey that have helped her amass $103,125 in earnings to date. Cecere will also be starting another three time winner in 2023, the 3-year-old trotting filly Milliondollarwall (Walner-Mom’s Millionaire).

Ron Burke is bringing a formidable 2-year-old tandem to Plainridge this year. The pacing filly Every Man’s Desire (Always B Miki-Lindy’s Nightmare) has been outstanding in Kentucky stakes action all summer, winning four out of seven starts and never finishing off the board. In her last start, Every Man’s Desire just took a new lifetime mark of 1:51.2 in the $50,000 Golden Rod series final on September 19. Burke also has the pacing colt Rocknroll Lou (Sweet Lou-Beautiful Lady) who has been competing successfully in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, cashing in on three out of four starts.

Erv Miller’s 2-year-old trotting gelding International Law (International Moni-Love N Lindy) won three consecutive Kentucky stake outings before making two consecutive breaks including one in that series $100,000 final. That said, he has earned $45,000 and taken a mark of 1:54 in the process and has stake experience not many of his competitors have coming into this week.

Marc Tardif has entered his dynamic duo of 3-year-old pacing geldings, Luke McGook (Rock N Roll World-Madonna Hanover) and So Rock N Roll (Western Maverick-So So Sweet) who have both been dominating in the Maine Sire Stakes all summer long. Luke McGook has won eight out of 10 starts with two seconds while earning $67,837 and So Rock N Roll has won five out of 10 starts with four seconds and one third, banking $54,606.

Some notable 3-year-old horses to watch on Monday are pacing filly Dame (Dude’s The Man-Seat By The Window) who was the Massachusetts champion last year at two and just won the $225,000 3-year-old final of the New York Sire Stakes at Yonkers on September 9. Dame has won $157,955 this year and has taken a new mark of 1:53 at Scioto Downs over the summer.

Another returning 2-year-old champion looking to defend her title is Pembroke Moni (International Moni-Possessed By Lindy) who won the Landmark Stake at Historic Track in Goshen in July before hitting the Pennsylvania Sire Stake circuit where she drew five checks in five starts. She matched her lifetime best effort of 1:57.3 at Saratoga this year and is a top candidate to dominate her division.

Rooster Bennett (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) was the 2-year-old Massachusetts male pacing champion and has backed up his initial work with a solid 3-year-old campaign. He was a multiple check-getter in the NYSS Excel series before running off three consecutive overnight wins that netted him a new lifetime mark of 1:52.1 at his home track, Plainridge Park.

The pacing colt, Colt Bennett (Rock N Roll World-Unbleachable) has been an ATM on the Maine Sire Stake circuit this year, quietly amassing $55,022 on the strength of hitting the board every start but with only two wins. However it’s important to note that those two wins came over Luke McGook and So Rock N Roll.

The trotting gelding Yo Lucky Moni (International Moni-Unbelindyble) is another horse that spent his summer in Kentucky stakes and although he hit the board in multiple starts, didn’t get his first win until September 9 when victorious in an overnight event at Tioga downs in 1:56.4. That said he has since started and finished second at Plainridge and is ready for this start.

The pacing filly South St. Dottie (Western Maverick-No Shadows) has won eight of her last 10 starts and all in Maine Sire Stakes. She has put away $66,285 as a result of those starts and could be a major player this year.

Here is a look at the complete Massachusetts sire Stake schedule for 2023:

Monday (Sept. 25)

3-year-old First Leg

Tuesday (Sept. 26)

2-year-old First Leg

Monday (Oct. 2)

3-year-old Second Leg

Tuesday (Oct. 3)

2-year-old Second Leg

Monday (Oct. 16)

2-year-old Third Leg

Tuesday (Oct. 17)

3-year-old Third Leg

Tuesday (Oct. 24)

2 and 3-year-old Finals

Mass-bred Inter Mischief favored in $100,000 Bunker Hill Trot

The second Grand Circuit event at Plainridge Park this year is the $100,000 Bunker Hill Trot for 3-year-olds in 2023 and it will be held on Monday (May 15). Inter Mischief is the early choice in the race and he is no stranger to racing in the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts-bred Inter Mischief (International Moni-Blinded By Lindy) is the record-setting Massachusetts Sire Stake 2-year-old trotting colt champion who comes into this race as the richest freshman from last year that is starting in this seven horse field.

After finishing second in the $50,000 PASS consolation at Harrah’s Philly in September, Inter Mischief shipped to Plainridge and won two out of the three preliminary legs of the MASS. His second win was timed in 1:55.4 and that set the stake and track record for a 2-year-old trotting colt and was also a lifetime mark for himself. In the $125,000 final, Inter Mischief was a convincing winner who pulled away to a 2-1/2 length win over an off track. Overall his seven starts last year earned him $151,895 in purses.

Inter Mischief won his sophomore debut in an overnight at Harrah’s Philly and lowered his lifetime mark to 1:54.1 in the process. He comes into this race razor sharp and is intimately familiar with the surface at Plainridge. Kevin Switzer Jr., who drove Inter Mischief to all of his wins last year, will be back in the bike for this event leaving from post four for trainer Jamie Sullivan.

Khaosan Road (International Moni-Jewels In The Sand) will also be highly regarded in this stake. After being very lightly raced at two, Khaosan Road made his first start this year in the $137,775 Dexter Cup at Freehold Raceway and was a gate to wire winner in a personal best time of 1:57.4. That was his second consecutive win going back to last year as he won his final outing of 2022. With his best efforts also his most recent performances, Khaosan Road will certainly get support at the windows. Trainer Ake Svanstedt has Scott Zeron in the bike and they will start from post five.

Svanstedt will be looking to remain perfect in the Bunker Hill Trot after he trained last year’s winner Jonas KS, who set the stake and track record for 3-year-old trotting colts with a dominating 1:53 romp for driver Kevin Switzer Jr.

Herodotus (Bar Hopping-Regal Woman) was heavily staked at two, having competed in the PASS, Peter Haughton Memorial and the International Stallion Stakes. But he only grabbed minor spoils there while his two wins came in overnight events. This year he started with two consecutive overnight wins at the Meadowlands and Mohegan Sun Pocono while taking a new lifetime mark of 1:53.3. Herodotus looks at the top of his game and starts from post seven for his Hall of Fame team of driver David Miller and trainer Ron Burke.

Spitfire Oversees (International Moni-Legal Lady) has a similar resume to Herodotus. Two overnight wins at two, amid a solid stake schedule that concluded with a start in the $600,000 Breeders Crown where he was beaten only five lengths. This year he makes his seasonal debut here, off one qualifier at Woodbine Mohawk Park where he won by a length in 1:55.3. Spitfire Oversees drew post six and Anthony Macdonald will steer for local leading trainer Melissa Beckwith.

Plainridge Park’s $3.27 million stakes slate is richest in state history

The continuously improving harness racing program in Massachusetts will hit another milestone this year after Plainridge Park management announced they will add two new stakes to the already stellar schedule.

The added purse from those events will push the total estimated value of the 2023 stakes to $3.27 million, making it the most lucrative offering of stakes prizes in the history of harness racing in New England.

Plainridge Park kicks off its live racing season on Monday (April 10) and the stake action begins only three weeks later.

First up is the $100,000 (est.) Paul Revere Open Pace for 3-year-olds which will be held on Thursday (May 4) and is the first major test of the year for sophomore pacers. Nominations along with $300 are due Wednesday (Feb. 15) with a $300 sustaining payment due on Wednesday (March 15). A $200 starting fee is due upon declaration.

Next is the $100,000 (est.) Battle Of Bunker Hill Open Trot on Monday (May 15). The inaugural running last year produced a new track record of 1:53 for 3-year-old trotting colts set by Jonas K S and that effort set the bar high for this year’s edition. Nominations along with $300 are due Wednesday (Feb. 15) with a $300 sustaining payment due on Wednesday (March 15). A $200 starting fee is due upon declaration.

Then on Sunday (July 23), it’s the biggest day of the summer with the renewal of the $250,000 Spirit Of Massachusetts Trot and $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace. Both of these races have rewritten track records several times since their inception and have enticed some of the best Open class competitors from across North America to compete in Massachusetts.

In the five years the Spirit Of Massachusetts Trot has been run, JL Cruze, Manchego and Alrajah One IT have all re-written track trotting records with Manchego also setting a world record in 2020. These performances have helped this event become a trotting classic in quick fashion.

For this year’s edition, nominations along with $1,000 are due Wednesday (Feb. 15) with a $1,500 sustaining payment due on Wednesday (March 15). A $2,500 starting fee is due upon declaration and there is an option for a supplemental entry with a $20,000 declaration fee.

The Clara Barton Distaff Pace has been run four times, yet only two mares have won the race: Shartin N and Lyons Sentinel. And just like their trotting rivals, Shartin N rewrote the pacing record book twice while Lyons Sentinel matched the record in her initial victory.

This year’s nominations along with $500 are due Wednesday (Feb. 15) with a $1,000 sustaining payment due on Wednesday (March 15). A $1,500 starting fee is due upon declaration and there is an option for a supplemental entry with a $7,500 declaration fee and $1,500 entry fee.

The $2.56 million (est.) Massachusetts Sire Stakes will reconvene in September and follow the same format of three preliminary legs and a final. Last year’s series was historic as it was the first time ever that the championship races went for a total combined purse of $1 million. The state-bred stake schedule is as follows:

Monday (Sept. 25)
3-year-old first leg

Tuesday (Sept. 26)
2-year-old first leg

Monday (Oct. 2)
3-year-old second leg

Tuesday (Oct. 3)
2-year-old second leg

Monday (Oct. 16)
2-year-old third leg

Tuesday (Oct. 17)
3-year-old third leg

Tuesday (Oct. 24)
2 and 3-year-old finals

Connections of Massachusetts Sire Stake eligible 2- and 3-year-old horses who intend to race in the series this year should take note that continuation payments for both ($100 for 2-year-olds and $150 for 3-year-olds) are due by Wednesday (Feb. 15) and the subsequent sustaining payment ($200 for 2-year-olds and $300 for 3-year-olds) is due by Saturday (April 15).

The two new stakes on the Plainridge Park calendar this year will make their debut on Monday (Oct. 9), which is the off-week for the Massachusetts Sire Stakes. It’s a great spot for these events as it gives Mass-stake contestants an opportunity to earn during that off-week from the series, should their connections wish to do so.

The $40,000 (est.) Reynolds Stake is for 3-year-old pacers and will be contested by gender. “The Tar Heel” is the colt and gelding division and “The Leta Long” is for fillies. Nominations for both the Tar Heel and Leta Long along with $300 are due Wednesday (Feb. 15) with a $300 sustaining payment due on Wednesday (March 15). A $500 starting fee is due upon declaration.

The $40,000 (est.) Colonial Trot for 3-year-old trotters is the companion stake to the Reynolds and will also be contested by gender with the filly division going as the Colonial Oaks. Nominations along with $300 are due Wednesday (Feb. 15) with a $300 sustaining payment due on Wednesday (March 15). A $200 starting fee is due upon declaration.

The 2023 Plainridge Park meet runs for 108 days through Thursday (Nov. 30).

Massachusetts Stakes continuation payments due February 15

The connections of Massachusetts Sire Stake eligible 2 and 3-year-old horses who intend to race in the series in 2023 should take note that continuation payments for both are due no later than Wednesday, February 15. The form you need to complete and send with your payment can be found on the SOMINC website (sominc.net) by clicking the “Forms” link at the top of the homepage.

The next important date to mark down for Mass-eligible horses is Monday, May 15, which is the deadline to register your 2023 yearlings. That form is also available on the website along with the new 2023 SOMINC membership form.

Watch all the 2022 Massachusetts Sire Stakes Replays by clicking this link

Gingras grand slams in Massachusetts Sire Stakes

It was Million Dollar Monday (Oct 24) at Plainridge Park as eight fields of finalists vied for $125,000 each to determine this year’s Massachusetts Sire Stakes champions. Rain and off-going greeted the horses but outstanding performances were still put forth as the uber-competitive Massachusetts breeding program produced winners for eight different trainers representing eight different ownership groups.

The one common denominator to the day was the performance of Yannick Gingras who for the second year in a row dominated the finals, winning four races to register a championship grand slam.

The following is a synopsis of the day’s events and a closer look at the winners.

2-year-old Colt and Gelding Trotting Champion

Inter Mischief (International Moni-Blinded By Lindy)

Owner-Frank Chic and Jamie Lee Sullivan

Trainer-Jamie Sullivan

Driver-Kevin Switzer Jr.

Breeder-K R Breeding

Mutuel-$3.80

Te Amo Lindy (Yannick Gingras) took early control in a speedy :27.4 while Yo Lucky Moni (Jimmy Whittemore) drafted in second. Positions remained unchanged to the half where Kevin Switzer Jr. pulled Inter Mischief from third and powered to the lead by the three-quarters in 1:27.4. From there Inter Mischief was in full command and trotted under wraps to the wire on top by 2-½ lengths in 1:56.3.

2-year-old Filly Trotting Champion

Pembroke Moni (International Moni-Possessed By Lindy)

Owner-William Varney

Trainer-Mark Ford

Driver-Scott Zeron

Breeder-Lindy Farms of Connecticut

Mutuel-$5.20

The Wise One (Bruce Ranger) got off to a fast start from post eight and took the early lead. But Scott Zeron came quickly with Pembroke Moni and took the front by the :29 quarter. Pembroke Moni continued on the front to the half where Milliondollarwall (Yannick Gingras) was charging on the outside. Milliondollarwall grabbed the front and trotted a strong :28.4 third quarter and took her lead to the top of the stretch. There, Pembroke Moni came back out on the attack, took the front and held off a fast closing The Wise One to win by a length in 1:57.3.

2-year-old Filly Pacing Champion

Dame (Dude’s The Man-Seat By The Window)

Owner-Stephen Richard

Trainer-Jolene Andrews

Driver-Jim Hardy

Breeder- Stephen Richard

Mutuel-$2.40

Dame was sent right for the lead by Jimmy Hardy and took it from Seafood Beauty (Jay Randall) as they passed the quarter in a swift :27. From there Dame led by an open length through quarters of :56.4 and 1:25.3 and extended her lead to two at the top of the stretch. Heading to the line, Dame was on cruise despite a valiant late effort from Yes I’m Hungry (Yannick Gingras) and won by 1-½ lengths in 1:54.3.

2-year-old Colt and Gelding Pacing Champion

Rooster Bennett (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl)

Owner-Nancy Longobardi and Domenic Longobardi

Trainer-George Ducharme

Driver-Yannick Gingras

Breeder-Nancy Longobardi and Domenic Longobardi

Mutuel-$3.40

Good Will Lindy (Shawn Gray) and Rooster Bennett (Yannick Gingras) argued for the front off the gate with the latter getting the lead by the quarter in :26.4. As a torrential downpour was in progress, Rooster Bennett continued to the half in :56 on top by three lengths as Good Will Lindy started to lose touch. At that point Kevin Switzer Jr. tipped Luke McGook from third and started to close the gap. Luke McGook caught up with Rooster Bennett around the last turn and the pair squared off down the lane. But Rooster Bennett swelled up and pulled away and won by 2-½ lengths in 1:54.3.

3-year-old Filly Trotting Champion

Dancin On The Wall (Walner-Lovely Lindy)

Owner-K R Breeding

Trainer-Domenico Cecere

Driver-Yannick Gingras

Breeder-K R Breeding

Mutuel-$4.20

Yannick Gingras left with Dancin On The Wall from post seven and settled in third as Just Liv Broadway (Luke Hanners) took the field to the quarter in :28. Positions remained unchanged to the half when Gingras went on the offensive with Dancin On The Wall and was moving up the outside towards the leader. The two trotters engaged up the backside with a :28.2 third panel, continued around the last turn and into the stretch where Dancin On The Wall got the advantage and the win by one-half length in 1:56.1.

3-year-old Colt and Gelding Pacing Champion

Striking Impact (Always B Miki-Aunt Caroline)

Owner-Fox Racing, Nickerson Racing and Drew Monti

Trainer-Candace Brandstatter

Driver-Yannick Gingras

Breeder-Lindy Farms of Connecticut

Mutuel-$5.80

It was a three horse charge for the lead that eventually saw Striking Impact (Yannick Gingras) take command in :26.2. But control was soon turned over to Treacherous Tom (Bruce Ranger) in front of the stands who kept the pace brisk with a :55.2 half. Motoring up the backside, Treacherous Tom took a three length lead on Striking Impact, who himself broke away from the field by four lengths. As they entered the stretch, Treacherous Tom was still in control but Gingras tipped Striking Impact and drove him hard all the way to the wire where he caught the favorite and won by one-half length in 1:53.1 to become a two-time Massachusetts Sire Stake champion.

3-year-old Colt and Gelding Trotting Champion

Bill Bauer (E L Titan-Miss Flaggy Meadow)

Owner-Paul Kelly, Joseph Palillo and Ellen Palillo

Trainer-Paul Kelley

Driver-Yannick Gingras

Breeder-East Pond Stable

Mutuel-$2.60

Moni’s Heaven Cent (Jay Randall), Strongerwithlindy (Steve Smith) and Bill Bauer (Yannick Gingras) got away one-two-three in the field of seven and remained that way to the half in :58.1. Gingras tipped Bill Bauer from third heading into the backstretch and drew alongside Moni’s Heaven Cent and the match race was on. The pair went stride for stride around the last turn and into the stretch and despite Moni’s Heaven Cent’s best effort, Bill Bauer muscled to the lead by three-quarters of a length to take the victory in a lifetime best 1:56 to become the second two-time Massachusetts Sire Stake Champion of the afternoon.

3-year-old Filly Pacing Champion

Dudes Sweet Bet (Dude’s The Man-Sweet Bettor)

Owner-Salvatore Vullo, Chris Lems and James De Armond

Trainer-Jessica Okusko

Driver-John Macdonald

Breeder-Triple C Stables and Chris Lems

Mutuel-$4.00

John Macdonald left with Dudes Sweet Bet and took the lead from the pylon-starting Wolverina (Nick Graffam). But Graffam was out and rolling almost immediately before the :27.1 quarter and had to work hard to gain control in front of the stands. Positions settled for the half until Shakeitoffscarlet (Kevin Switzer Jr.) came roaring first-over and pushed Wolverina to a :27.4 third quarter. That challenge lasted until the top of the stretch when Shakeitoffscarlet faded and Dudes Sweet Bet popped the deuce and ran down Wolverina at the wire to win by two lengths in 1:54.3.

Fields set for $1 million Massachusetts stakes finals Monday

The fields are set for the $1 million finals of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes (MASS) that will be held at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Oct. 24). Eight divisions valued at $125,000 each will go to post starting at 2 p.m. and the fields appear to be very competitive in these events.

The 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters kick off the action led by two horses that have been battling for three weeks.

Inter Mischief (International Moni-Blinded By Lindy) has won two out of three MASS starts and comes into the final as the top point-getter. In his last start he took a new lifetime mark of 1:55.4 while also breaking the Plainridge track and MASS stake record for 2-year-old trotting colts. He will leave from post four for Kevin Switzer Jr.

Yo Lucky Moni (International Moni-Unbelindyble) was the horse who beat Inter Mischief in his lone loss, but that was after Inter Mischief was parked the entire mile. Yo Lucky Moni brought a lot of stake experience with him to Massachusetts after racing in the Kentucky series at Oak Grove over the summer. Yo Lucky Moni starts alongside Inter Mischief in post five for Jimmy Whittemore.

The 2-year-old filly trotting division could prove to be one of the tougher races to handicap because there is a lot of talent throughout the field.

Milliondollarwall (Walner-Mom’s Millionaire) comes in a perfect three-for-three in the MASS and all three wins could be considered well in hand. But the eliminations for this group went split divisions in short fields so nine horses in this race could be a factor here. Milliondollarwall will be driven by Yannick Gingras from post four.

Laurens Hoopla (E L Titan-Tatto You) has won two straight in the MASS after making a break in week one. She took a lifetime mark of 1:56.2 her second start and was game on the front last week. She starts from post seven for Nick Graffam.

Pembroke Moni (International Moni-Possessed By Lindy) won her first MASS start in a lifetime best 1:58 and then was second twice behind Laurens Hoopla in close finishes. The filly drew post three for Scott Zeron.

The 2-year-old pacing fillies has a solid favorite but two horses could certainly upset.

Dame (Dude’s The Man-Seat By The Window) may have been a bit short her first MASS start after being off a month after the New York Sire Stake finals. She has since won back to back starts in a convincing manner that included a new lifetime mark of 1:54.2 last week. Dame will be driven by Jimmy Hardy from post three.

Seafood Beauty (American Ideal-Seafood Annie) has tripped-out behind Dame the last two weeks but was unable to catch her in the stretch. However she is probably still the main threat and has post four for Jay Randall.

Yes I’m Hungry (Stay Hungry-Yes you Can) was the filly who beat Dame the first week, but has since made a break and had broken equipment and did not finish in her last two. If all goes well for her here, she could be the upset pick from post two for Yannick Gingras.

Another tough group is the 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings with three horses very close is ability squaring off.

Rooster Bennett (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) won two straight MASS races before falling one length short last week. He is the top point and money earner in this group and will again get a lot of public support with Yannick Gingras up from post five.

Luke McGook (Rock ‘N Roll World-Madonna Hanover) beat Rooster Bennett last week and took a new lifetime mark of 1:54.1 doing it. He also has seven wins in the Maine Sire Stakes this year and must be respected from post two with Kevin Switzer Jr.

So Rock N’ Roll (Western Maverick-So So Sweet) also has one MASS win and just finished one-half length behind his stablemate Luke McGook last week after cutting the mile. Off those strong performances, he must be considered from post three for Drew Monti.

The sophomore set kicks off with 3-year-old trotting fillies and it has another somewhat open field.

Dancin On The Wall (Walner-Lovely Lindy) will probably be the public’s choice despite drawing post seven and only winning one of three starts in the stake. After breaking in week one, Dancin On The Wall won handily in 1:56.1, but then finished second last week after a very tough mile in very inclement weather. Yannick Gingras is back at the lines.

Moni Heist (Walner-Nothing But Moni) beat her stablemate Dancin On The Wall last week with a big come from behind brush through a rainstorm and off going. Although the filly shows some breaks, she could be dangerous if she stays on task from post four for Scott Zeron.

The 3-year-old pacing colt and gelding division has been dominated by one horse who comes in undefeated.

Besides going three for three in the MASS, Treacherous Tom (Captaintreacherous-Kate Is Well Said) is also nine out of 11 overall this year and couldn’t be in better form coming into this race. Bruce Ranger steers again from post six.

Use Yah Blinkah (Western Maverick-Calla Fra) won four straight in Maine stakes before finishing second three times to Treacherous Tom here in the MASS. He has always been in play and should be again from post two with Jimmy Hardy.

Striking Impact (Always B Miki-Aunt Caroline) is the defending 2-year-old champion of this division but has been third three times to the aforementioned pair this year. He’s in the conversation from post four for Yannick Gingras.

The 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings also have a defending champion who is looking to repeat.

Bill Bauer (E L Titan-Miss Flaggy Meadow) won the MASS final last year and comes into this race on a two win streak with a 1:56.1 lifetime mark taken just last week. However the trotter does show three recent breaks on the form. Looking to become a two-time champion, Bill Bauer will start from post one with Yannick Gingras aboard.

Moni’s Heaven Cent (Muscle Hill-Moni From Heaven) has finished second twice in the MASS behind Bill Bauer and looks to be the main competition if the competition makes a mistake. Jay Randall will steer from post five.

Strongerwithlindy (Walner-Strong Legacy) hasn’t missed the board in the MASS and overall, has done his best work this year over a five-eighth’s mile track. Steve Smith will be in the mix despite post six.

Finally the 3-year-old pacing fillies looks like it could come down to two horses who have stood out this year.

Wolverina (Cheyenne Hollywood-Terri I Fra) just won the $81,172 Maine final which was the filly’s 11^th win in a row and 12^th win overall this year. She won both of her MASS starts including one in a new lifetime mark of 1:53.2 and is the richest horse of any division coming into these MASS finals. She drew post one with Nick Graffam aboard and is definitely the horse to beat.

The horse with the best shot to beat her is Dude’s Sweet Bet (Dude’s The Man-Sweet Bettor) who also won two MASS legs and also took a new lifetime mark of 1:53.1 in one of them. However, the one time she raced Wolverina this year she finished third. John Macdonald and they will start from post five.

SOMINC and Plainridge Park offer $5,000 Survivor contest Monday

The $2.56 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes wrap up at Plainridge Park on Monday (Oct. 24) when eight $125,000 finals will make up the first “Million Dollar Monday” in the history of the stake.

Aside from the big money and action on the track, the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts and Plainridge Park have teamed up to bring the same opportunity to win big money into the grandstand for the attending fans by offering a free Survivor Handicapping Contest with $5,000 in cash up for grabs to the winner.

The object of the contest is to select one winner in each of the live races held on October 24 at Plainridge Park. Horses considered winners will be based on the official race results. In the case of a late scratch or a declared non-starter, the post time favorite will automatically be assigned in place of that horse. Entrants who fail to select a winning horse as the card progresses will be eliminated. The participant who lasts the longest will receive the prize. If there is a tie between two or more contestants, the money will be split equally among them.

Entry blanks along with free program pages will be available at the track on Monday. Entries must be submitted 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the first race which has a post time of 2 p.m. The contest is free to enter for anyone 18-years of age and over and only one entry per person will be accepted. Contestants must be present to win and provide a valid I.D. to collect any prize. Complete rules will be available at the track.

“We wanted to give our loyal customers a chance to win some serious money on one of our biggest race days of the year and with the holidays fast approaching, this is a great opportunity for them to to use their handicapping skills to win big with no cost to them,” said Steve O’Toole, General Manager of Live Racing at Plainridge Park. “Plainridge Park and the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts (who oversees the Massachusetts Sire Stake program) are committed to promoting Standardbred racing in the state and hope that our regulars bring their friends for a chance to win the $5,000, but also to see the finest trotters and pacers bred in the state compete in these finals.”

Treacherous Tom remains unbeaten in Mass Sire Stakes

(Photo courtesy of Tom Melanson)

The third leg for 3-year-old eligibles of the $2.56 million Massachusetts Sire Stake were held at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Oct. 17) with $260,000 in purses up for grabs with four divisions valued at $65,000 each.

Treacherous Tom (Captaintreacherous-Kate) remained unbeaten in the stake this year after taking his third straight win in the pacing colts and geldings division in a non-betting event held before the first race.

Bruce Ranger put Treacherous Tom in his favorite spot – on the point – and got things his own way from there. With no pressure from behind, he skated through quarters of :26.3, :56.3 and 1:25 before turning for home and pacing away to a 3-½ length win in 1:53.2.

It was the fourth win in a row and ninth overall for the year from only 11 starts for Treacherous Tom, who is owned by Tom and Scott Dillon and trained by Joe Nelson. Fashion Farms bred the winner.

The male trotters were up next and Bill Bauer (E L Titan-Miss Flaggy Meadow) is moving towards becoming a two-time MASS champion after a convincing win.

Moni’s Heaven Cent (Jay Randall) took the early lead and parked Bill Bauer (Yannick Gingras) to the quarter in :28.2 before Gingras was able to get the trotter clear. Once he crossed over and settled in, the race was Bill Bauer’s to win. Moni’s Heaven Cent tracked Bill Bauer from the quarter to the top of the final turn before he tipped and put forth a solid brush against the leader. But Bill Bauer responded and trotted away by 3-¼ length win in a new lifetime mark of 1:56.1.

It was the second straight win for Bill Bauer ($2.10) who is owned by his trainer Paul Kelley, in partnership with Joseph Palillo and Ellen Palillo. Bill Bauer was bred by East Pond Stable.

The filly trot was won by Moni Heist (Walner-Nothing But Moni) who took full advantage of a lot of early action to score late.

It was a four horse dash for the lead that ended up a two horse battle between Dancin On The Wall (Yannick Gingras) and the parked-out Just Liv Broadway (Luke Hanners). These two got to the quarter in :27.4 and continued to spar past the half and up the backside while Moni Heist (Scott Zeron) was far back seventh. Nearing three-quarters, Wonderwall Lindy (Jay Randall) tipped three deep around the fading Just Liv Broadway and engaged Dancin On The Wall . At the same time, Moni Heist tipped three deep around the entire pack. At the top of the stretch Moni Heist was rolling and went right past Wonderwall Lindy and then caught the very game Dancin On The Wall by one length to win in 1:59 in the pouring rain.

It was the first MASS stake win of the year for Moni Heist ($15.00) who was bred and is owned by Moni Maker Stable. Domenico Cecere trains the winner.

As the inclement weather continued, the fourth group to line up were the pacing fillies and Dude’s Sweet Bet (Dude’s The Man-Sweet Bettor) bounced back from a third place finish last week to claim her second win in this series.

Dude’s Sweet Bet (John Macdonald) got away second behind Believe It’s Lindy (Bruce Ranger) while Halleysbigcomet (Drew Campbell) was parked out to the quarter in :27.4. With nowhere to go but up, Campbell pushed on with Halleysbigcomet and got alongside Believe It’s Lindy going to three-quarters as Dude’s Sweet Bet continued to draft at the pylons. Shakeitoffscarlet (Kevin Switzer Jr.) joined the fray at the top of the stretch and a wall of horses, three across, began the trek down the lane leaving Dudes Sweet Bet still looking for racing room. That finally came when the pylon path came clear and Macdonald shot through with Dudes Sweet Bet who finished off the job by winning by 1-¼ lengths in 1:56.1.

Dude’s Sweet Bet ($2.80) is owned by Sal Vullo, James De Armond and Chris Lems, who bred the horse along with Triple C Stables.

The top point-getters from all the preliminary legs will move forward in eight $125,000 Massachusetts Sire Stakes finals during the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts “Million Dollar Monday”, October 24. Post time for that card is 2 p.m.

Records fall in Massachusetts Sire Stakes at Plainridge

(Photo courtesy of Tom Melanson)

With perfect fall weather and a lightning fast track greeting the contestants at Plainridge Park on Sunday (Oct. 16), stake and track records along with lifetime marks were the order of the day as the third leg of the $2.56 Massachusetts Sire Stakes for 2-year-old eligibles were held.

The trotting fillies were split into two $32,500 races while the remaining three divisions each went one for $65,000 each.

The first filly trot went to Milliondollarwall (Walner-Mom’s Millionaire) who claimed her third straight Mass stake win.

Get The Picture (Jay Randall) left from pylon position and set fractions of :29, :58.3 and 1:27.4 while Milliondollarwall (Yannick Gingras) sat in the pocket waiting to pounce, and that happened at the top of the far turn. Milliondollarwall engaged Get The Picture at the top of the stretch and had a time getting separation from the gutsy Get The Picture after the move. But in deep stretch, Milliondollarwall finally got the advantage and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.2.

It was the fourth win in only five lifetime starts for the heavily favored Milliondollarwall ($2.10) who is owned and was bred by Moni Maker Stable. Domenico Cecere trains the winner.

The second group of trotting girls were bested by Laurens Hoopla (E L Titan-Tattoo You) who won her second consecutive Mass stake.

Nick Graffam went right for the lead from post four with Laurens Hoopla as Pembroke Moni (Yannick Gingras), who also left, dropped into the garden spot. When the race reached the half in :56.3 the top two had gapped from the field with only the Wise One (Bruce Ranger) staying close. Positions remained unchanged until the seven-eighths where Gingras pulled Pembroke Moni and tried to overtake Laurens Hoopla. Although she got closer with every stride, Pembroke Moni could not get by Laurens Hoopla who hit the line on top by a neck in 1:56.3.

Laurens Hoopla ($4.60) was bred and is owned by Ray Campbell Jr. and is trained by George Ducharme.

Inter Mischief (International Moni-Blinded By Lindy) had a big day winning the trot for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings and broke several records in the process.

Inter Mischief (Kevin Switzer Jr.) took the early lead but yielded it to Yo Lucky Moni (Jimmy Whittemore) past the speedy :27.4 quarter. It was there that the favored Te Amo Lindy (Yannick Gingras) made a break and that changed the complexion of the race. Yo Lucky Moni then backed off the half to :58.4 and headed up the backstretch, seemingly in complete control. However in the far turn, Switzer tipped Inter Mischief and got his colt in gear. He got up alongside Yo Lucky Moni and the two trotted together all the way to the wire with Inter Mischief getting the advantage by three-quarters of a length to win in 1:55.4.

The time was a new lifetime mark for the winner and it also broke the Mass stake and Plainridge track records for 2-year-old trotting colts.

It was the second stakes win for Inter Mischief ($4.80) and owners Frank Chic and Jamie Lee Sullivan, who also trains the record setter. Inter Mischief was bred by K R Breeding.

The pacing fillies had a field of eight go to post and Dame (Dude’s The Man-Seat By The Window) exerted her muscle to take her second straight victory.

Jimmy Hardy pushed Dame off the gate but Seafood Beauty (Jay Randall) who had pylon position played hardball and would not release the leaver. It wasn’t until past the :27 quarter that Dame took control and crossed over. Once on the point, Dame went to the half in :56.4 and three-quarters in 1:25.3 as Seafood Beauty tried to stay close. But close was not good enough as Dame paced away to a 2-½ length lead down the stretch and won in a new lifetime best 1:54.2.

Dame ($3.00) was bred and is owned by Stephen Richard. Jolene Andrews trains the winner.

Finally it was a full field of nine pacing colts and geldings that lined up with Luke McGook getting up late for a win and a new mark.

Kevin Switzer Jr. put Luke McGook on the point after a battle with Good Will Lindy (Shawn Gray) and then took the field to the quarter in :27.1. However his stablemate So Rock N’ Roll (Drew Monti) was out and rolling early and took the lead from him in front of the grandstand.

As they headed into the second half, Rooster Bennett (Yannick Gingras) moved first-over from fourth and got within close proximity of So Rock N’ Roll. These two went at it around the last turn while Luke McGook drafted behind, waiting for an opening. That came halfway down the stretch when the pylon lane opened up as So Rock ‘M Roll was fighting off Rooster Bennett. Switzer guided Luke McGook through the gap and shot to the front by one-half length at the light and won in 1:54.1.

The time was a new lifetime mark for the winner and also tied the Plainridge track record for 2-year-old pacing geldings.

It was the eighth win of the year for Luke McGook ($9.80) who is owned by Leighton Properties and trained by Marc Tardif. Erica Saucier bred the winner.

Switzer was the leading driver on Sunday winning three races during the afternoon.

Mass stake fillies win overnights at Plainridge Park

With the Massachusetts Sire Stakes on hiatus this week, several eligible horses were in overnight events to stay sharp when the big money is back on the table next Sunday (Oct. 16). Two of those entrants were 3-year-old pacing fillies who both scored impressive victories while taking new lifetime marks in the process.

In the $13,500 condition for 5-year-old and under female pacers, Shakeitoffscarlet (Kevin Switzer Jr.) went right for the lead, set solid fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:25.3 before turning for home and holding off the tripped-out Always Beachy (Bruce Ranger) to win by a neck in a career best 1:54.4.

Shakeitoffscarlet ($3.80) is owned by KDK Standardbreds and is trained by Elisha Lafreniere.

Then later in the $11,000 condition for 4-year-olds and under, Halleysbigcomet (Drew Campbell) also used a front-end performance to beat five opposing fillies. Halleysbigcomet easily cut the half in :56.3 with Little Judith (Kevin Switzer Jr.) in pursuit, before picking up the pace and extending her lead to three at the head of the stretch. Heading for home Campbell let the filly go and she paced away to a 6-½ length victory in 1:54.1, lowering her lifetime mark by three full seconds.

Halleysbigcomet ($3.40) is owned by Kevin Gee and Robert Kopack and is trained by Randy Bickmore.

Massachusetts Sire Stake leader board at break week

The $2.56 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes will be off this weekend after conducting the first two legs of the series in successive weeks. However eligible horses will reconvene for the third preliminary leg at Plainridge Park on Sunday (Oct. 16) when 2-year-old action resumes and Monday (Oct. 17) when the 3-year-olds will again line up. The eight $125,000 finals will be held on “Million Dollar Monday” (Oct. 24) at Plainridge Park.

After two weeks of action there are four undefeated horses.

The 2-year-old trotting filly Milliondollarwall (Walner-Mom’s Millionaire) has won convincingly in her two stakes starts while extending her overall winning streak to four races, making her undefeated lifetime. Milliondollarwall is a sister to $1.4 million earner Snow White out of Mom’s Millionaire, who has produced a list of other stake winners that also includes $500,000 winner That’s All Moni. Moni Maker Stable bred and owns the Domenico Cecere-trained filly that was driven to both stake victories by Yannick Gingras.

Another unbeaten freshman in this series is the pacing gelding Rooster Bennett (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) who too is riding a four race win streak for trainer George Ducharme. Gingras has twice teamed the Nancy and Domenic Longobardi bred and owned Rooster Bennett, who is a brother to $500,000 stake winner So Awesome, out of proven stake producer Teddy Ballgirl.

The 3-year-old two-time winners include the pacing filly Wolverina (Cheyenne Hollywood-Terri I Fra) who is currently boasting a 10-race winning streak. In her most recent win she beat a full field of nine starters while taking a new lifetime mark of 1:53.2 and pushing her season purse total to $113,032. Mike Graffam bred and owns the Nick Graffam driven Wolverina in partnership with William Arnold.

Second year pacing gelding Treacherous Tom (Captaintreacherous-Kate Is Well Said) is also two-for-two in the stake but should come as no surprise because he has been a win machine all year. So far he has claimed eight victories from 10 starts, all at Plainridge Park, with Bruce Ranger in the bike for trainer Joe Nelson. Bred by Fashion Farms, Treacherous Tom has earned $102,205 to this point this year for owners Tom and Scott Dillon.

After the first 20 races contested in the 2022 Massachusetts Sire Stakes, Yannick Gingras is again the leading driver with nine wins with the leading trainers George Ducharme and Domenico Cecere, tied at the top with three wins apiece.

Milliondollarwall, Rooster Bennett undefeated in MASS

(Photos courtesy of Tom Melanson)

The $2.5 Million (est.) Massachusetts Sire Stakes returned to Plainridge Park on Monday (Oct. 3) and featured the second round of 2-year-old contests with a total purse of $260,000 up for grabs. There were a total of six races held with the colt trotters and filly pacers going one division for $65,000 each and the colt pacers and filly trotters split into two divisions valued at $32,500 each.

Wolverina, Treacherous Tom continue to roll in Mass stakes

(Photos courtesy of Tom Melanson)

The second division of 3-year-old eligibles of the $2.5 million (est.) Massachusetts Sire Stakes convened at Plainridge Park on Sunday (Oct. 2) with four races going for $65,000 each and some winning horses came to play.

Gingras wins four Massachusetts Sire Stakes at Plainridge

(Photo courtesy of Tom Melanson)

The 2-year-olds took center stage in the $2.5 million (est.) Massachusetts Sire Stakes at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Sept. 26) and four of the five winners were piloted by Hall of Fame driver Yannick Gingras.

There were 11 trotting fillies who entered on Monday so they were split into two $32,500 races. All other divisions went one race for $65,000 each.

Gingras swept both trotting filly contests starting with Milliondollarwall (Walner-Mom’s Millionaire) who took a quick lead and maintained a gapped advantage throughout. With Backstitch (Frank Affrunti) working hard to stay close in second, Milliondollarwall tripped the timer in :30, 1:00.1 and 1:29.3 before taking a three length lead into the stretch and pulled away to a five length victory in 1:59.3.

Milliondollarwall ($2.10) was bred and is owned by Moni Maker Stable and is trained by Domenico Cecere.

In the other split, Gingras got away second with Pembroke Moni (International Moni-Possessed By Lindy) behind The Wise One (Bruce Ranger) who got to the quarter in quick :28.4. Despite the fraction, Gingras was out a moving right past that station and took control in front of the stands. Dictating the second half, Pembroke Moni got a :30.1 breather in the third quarter and then sped away from everybody, coming home in :28.4 to win by 4-¼ lengths in a new lifetime best 1:58 flat.

Pembroke Moni ($2.20) is owned by William Varney and is trained by Mark Ford. Lindy Farms of Connecticut was the winning breeder.

Then Gingras took the pacing colt division with Rooster Bennett (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) who sat in the pocket behind Good Will Lindy (Shawn Gray) to the half in 1:02 before moving to the outside at the five-eighths. Rooster Bennett took the lead on the outside at three-quarters but Good Will Lindy fought back to regain a head advantage in the last turn. When they hit the stretch the two were even for about five strides when Rooster Bennett swelled up and paced away by two lengths and won in 1:59.1.

Rooster Bennett ($2.10) was bred and is owned by Nancy Longobardi and Domenic Longobardi and is trained by George Ducharme.

Gingras completed his stake grand slam with Yes Im Hungry (Stay Hungry-Yes You Can) who worked hard to best the field of seven pacing fillies. Four horses left with Dame (Jim Hardy) grabbing a tenuous lead with Seafood Beauty (Jay Randall) parked out second to the quarter in a fast :27.2. Seafood Beauty then took the lead and paced without a challenge until the three-quarters. That’s where Yes Im Hungry, who had been pacing up the rim since the five-eighths, finally caught the leader. Initially Seafood Beauty turned back the challenge in the turn, but Yes Im Hungry regrouped at the top of the stretch and then pulled away to a 1-¼ length win in 1:56.2, which was a new lifetime mark in her first career win.

Yes Im Hungry ($4.60) is owned by Alagna Racing and Pryde Stables and is trained by Tony Alagna. Holland Racing Stable bred Yes Im Hungry.

The final MASS division was for trotting colts and a full field of nine went postward with Inter Mischief (International Moni-Blinded By Lindy) coming out on top. Inter Mischief (Kevin Switzer Jr.) took the lead from RLF’s Jasper (Nick Graffam) just past the :28.2 first quarter and settled in for the duration. After getting to the half in :58.2, Inter Mischief was approached by Yo Lucky Moni (Jimmy Whittemore) just past the five-eighths and the two hooked up in a battle after opening up a six length separation from the rest of the field. Yo Lucky Moni took the lead at three-quarters and then Inter Mischief took it back as they entered the stretch. Inter Mischief then got a length advantage and held it to the wire to win in 1:57 and take a new lifetime mark.

Owned by Frank Chick and Jamie Lee Sullivan, who also trains the colt, Inter Mischief ($4.20) was bred by K R Breeding.

Massachusetts Sire Stakes kick off with 3-year-olds at Plainridge

(Photos courtesy of Tom Melanson)

The $2.5 million (est.) Massachusetts Sire Stakes kicked off its 2022 season with sophomore trotters and pacers of both genders going postward in five divisions at Plainridge Park on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 25).

With 13 horses entered, the pacing fillies were split into two $32,500 divisions while all other divisions went one race for $65,000 each.

The first filly pace went to Wolverina (Cheyenne Hollywood-Terri I Fra) who led at every station for driver Nick Graffam and closed it out with a brisk :27.4 final panel to win by 1-¼ lengths ahead of Believe Its Lindy (Bruce Ranger) and Shakeitoffscarlet (Kevin Switzer Jr.) in 1:53.4. The time was a new lifetime mark by a full second.

It was the ninth straight win this year for Wolverina ($3.20) who is co-owned by Willaim Arnold and Mike Graffam, who also bred and trains the filly.

The second division was won by Dudes Sweet Bet (Dude’s The Man-Sweet Bettor) who left sharply for John Macdonald from post seven, took the lead and extended it at each station through the mile. Down the lane she stretched her advantage to 5-½ lengths and stopped the timer in 1:53.1, tying her lifetime best.

Dudes Sweet Bet ($2.80) is owned by Sal Vullo, Chris Lems and James De Armond and is trained by Jessica Okusko. Triple C Stable and Chris Lems bred the winning filly.

The glamour division pace had a full field of eight go postward with the red hot Treacherous Tom (Captaintreacherous-Kate Is Well Said) finding the winner’s circle once again for driver Bruce Ranger. Treacherous Tom took the lead and while Use Yah Blinkah (Jim Hardy) tracked closely from second, set fractions of :27.1, :56.4 and 1:24.3, but from there it was no contest. Treacherous Tom rounded the final bend and paced home uncontested by 5-½ lengths in 1:52.4.

It was the seventh win in only nine starts this year for Treacherous Tom ($2.80) and owners Tom and Scott Dillon. Joe Nelson trains the razor sharp gelding bred by Fashion Farms.

Moving to the trot, Stamped By Lindy (Muscle Hill-Born Lindy) beat his male rivals with a good effort in a close finish. Yannick Gingras cut the mile with Stamped By Lindy with fractions of :28.4, :59.1 and 1:28.1 and took a two length lead into the home stretch, but good late work by Strongerwithlindy (Steve Smith) put the pressure on the leader late. However despite the strong challenge, Stamped By Lindy still finished the job and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:57 flat.

The Paul Kelley trained Stamped By Lindy ($4.40) is owned by Terrance Smith and Neil Goldstein. Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred the winner.

Finally in the trotting fillies division, Just Liv Broadway (E L Titan-Black Broadway) got her first ever stake win in impressive style. Just Liv Broadway (Luke Hanners) left against the prohibitive 1-9 post time favorite Dancin On The Wall (Yannick Gingras) and took a clear lead after Dancin On The Wall made a break before the eighth pole. From there Just Liv Broadway got things her own way with only Wonderwall Lindy (Jay Randall) trotting close behind. After they got to three-quarters in 1:27.1, Wonderwall Lindy pulled on the attack, but Just Liv Broadway responded and opened up 2-¼ lengths at the wire and won in 1:56.2.

It was the seventh win of the year for Just Liv Broadway ($19.00) who is owned and bred by Michael E. Eaton and Bob McHugh. Mike Eaton trains the winner.

Mass Sire Stakes, All-Time Massachusetts and Plainridge Records

The third $15,000 Nauset Light preview race for 2-year-old pacers was held at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Sept.19) and the Massachusetts-bred Seafood Beauty (American Ideal-Seafood Annie) was a runaway winner as she prepares for the upcoming $2.5 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes.

Wood End Light is Mass stake preview Thursday at Plainridge

Thursday afternoon’s (Sept. 15) card at Plainridge Park will see a large number of Massachusetts-bred trotters go postward and will provide an early look at some of the horses that will be competing in the $2.5 million (est.) Massachusetts Sire Stakes that begin at The Ridge on Sunday (Sept. 25).

The $15,000 Wood End Light in the fourth race is for 2-year-old trotters and features a field of eight — five of which were bred in Massachusetts.

Longtime Massachusetts breeders Ray Campbell Jr. and Al Ross have a total of three entries in the race and all are trained by Walpole, Massachusetts native George Ducharme, who has been competing in this series for decades.

Bravado (Trixton-Grits N Grits) is a brother to the Massachusetts-bred 2013 Hambletonian Champion Royalty For Life (1:51.3, $1,620,166). He has three lifetime starts and finished second twice while making a break in the third. He too won a qualifying race at Vernon Downs in 2:02 by 5-1/2 lengths but has yet to breakthrough in a pari-mutuel event.

Get The Picture (Trixton-Royalty Free) is a sister to the Massachusetts-bred and two time Massachusetts Sire Stake champion Hashtagmadeyalook (1:52.3, $403,126) and Massachusetts Sire Stake champion Crystalline (1:55.2, $167,626). She has only made one unsuccessful lifetime start to date but comes into this race off a sharp third place finish in a qualifier at Vernon, timed in 1:59.4.

RFL’s Jasper (Royalty For Life-Just Like This) has seen the most action of the three with six starts, three of which came in the Ontario Sire Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park. He just got beat in a maiden race at Plainrdige two weeks ago after cutting the mile in 1:58.2 to finish second by only a neck.

The early favorite in the race is The Wise One (Muscle Hill-Grandma’s Moni) who is owned and was bred by the Moni Maker Stable and is trained by Domenico Cecere. This filly made her first lifetime start at Plainridge last week and was beaten only 2-3/4 lengths in 1:58.3. She did win a qualifying race the week prior in 1:59.1 by 6-3/4 lengths to take that lifetime mark.

Finally, an as of yet unproven starter is the filly Poppy Wow (Crazy Wow-Tori Hall) who has three state-bred brothers. Pirate (1:55.1, $116,727), Tobasco (1:55.4, $187,348) and Raybarnz (1:53.3, $149,345) have all competed in the Massachusetts Sire Stakes and continue to race at Plainridge as aged horses. Poppy Wow has only made two qualifying starts for trainer/driver Ivan Davies and completed both outings smoothly and looks to keep improving for owner/breeders Earl and Kathy Beaman.

There are also three Massachusetts-bred and stake eligible 3-year-old trotters making their final tune-up appearances on Thursday in three overnight races on the program.

In the first race, Moms Cash (Cash Hall-Ksenia) is a sister to Massachusetts Sire Stake champion Do What You Dream (1:57.2, $131,484) and two time Massachusetts Sire Stake champion Simple Kaos (1:54.3, $255,480). Unraced at two and one of only two fillies in this race, Moms Cash just went the race of her life last week, winning in 1:59.3 in her fourth lifetime start after being race timed in 1:58 and change in three consecutive previous outings. Wally Watson will drive the Lisa Watson trained Moms Cash for owner Joel Wheeler. Michelle Larson bred the filly.

The other filly in that race is Shesaworkout (Whataworkout-Final Time) who also was unraced at two and has four lifetime starts, however she has yet to win a race. Her best clocking of 1:59 came in a maiden race that saw her finish 3-1/2 lengths behind both Moms Cash and RFL’s Jasper. Trainer Joe Flynn, who bred her along with Ed Flynn, looks for his filly to continue to build on her work and has Mike Stevenson in the bike once again.

In the third race, Wonderwall Lindy (Walner-Lindy’sleadinglady) is another George Ducharme pupil that was a major factor in the MASS last year scoring two wins and two seconds in the series. She was beaten only a neck in the final by stablemate Tennessee Lindy and was actually the highest money earning 2-year-old trotting filly in the Massachusetts stakes in 2022 ($77,500). She has only two starts so far this year and was just race times in 1:55.3 at Vernon Downs in a qualifier last week. The partnership of Winske, Winske, Michaels and Cluff have this one pointed towards another successful run in the MASS and it starts here with regular driver Jay Randall aboard. Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred the filly.

Then in the sixth race, Grits N Trix (Trixton-Bourbon N Grits) only had two starts at two with only $375 in earnings to show, but has a very different story to tell this year. Also a sister to Royalty For Life and a full sister to Bravado, Grits N Trix is currently riding a four race win streak and could very well run it to five in here. With a sharp 1:56.1 lifetime mark taken at Vernon Downs on August 5, Grits N Trix will be the wild card in the 3-year-old trotting filly division this year that early on, looks to be one of the most competitive of the eight overall divisions. She comes from the Ducharme, Campbell and Ross tree and is poised to make a run this year.

The $2.5 million (est.) Massachusetts Sire Stakes begin on Sunday (Sept. 25) and run through Monday (Oct. 24) when all eight finals will be held. There are 83 2-year-old and 76 3-year-old trotters and pacers eligible this year and the connections of all 159 horses have the following dates circled on their calendars.

Sunday (Sept. 25)

3-year-old first leg

Monday (Sept. 26)

2-year-old first leg

Sunday (Oct. 2)

3-year-old second leg

Monday (Oct. 3)

2-year-old second leg

Sunday (Oct. 16)

2-year-old third leg

Monday (Oct. 17)

3-year-old third leg

Monday (Oct. 24)

2 & 3-year-old finals

The Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources

launches new Standardbred breeders website

The Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources (MDAR) has just launched a new Standardbred breeding program website that outlines the Standardbred broodmare policy with the intent to make the process less confusing. The site also includes all the necessary updated forms related to the program.

You can access that site and all its related information by clicking this link. There is also a permanent link on our “Resources” page.

The MDAR’s mission is to promote, develop and encourage the breeding of Standardbreds in the commonwealth through the Massachusetts Breeding Program and accompanying Massachusetts Sire Stake program.

Mass-bred pacer Treacherous Tom remains undefeated in 2022

Massachusetts-bred 3-year-old pacer Treacherous Tom (Captaintreacherous-Kate Is Well Said) remains undefeated in 2022 after winning his fifth consecutive start at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Aug. 16) in a $12,500 conditioned race. Bruce Ranger guided Treacherous Tom to the 1:53.3 victory from gate-to-wire for owners Tom and Scott Dillon and trainer Joe Nelson. Treacherous Tom will be competing in the rich Massachusetts Sire Stakes, which start at Plainridge Park on Sept. 25. Fashion Farms bred the promising pacer.

Mass-bred trotting fillies impressive at Plainridge Park

With the lazy, hazy days of summer firmly in place, fall is not too far off and that means the Massachusetts Sire Stakes will be here before long. At Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon (Aug. 5) a pair of Massachusetts-bred 3-year-old trotting fillies who are eligible to the lucrative state sponsored series, each scored impressive victories during the afternoon and both are quickly improving in advance of those stakes.

Dancin On The Wall (Walner-Lovely Lindy) shipped back to Plainridge Park after successive stake engagements in the Zweig at Vernon Downs and the Geers at the Meadowlands — where she was raced timed back-to-back in 1:53.3 — and won a $8,500 non-winners event for 5-year-old and under trotters while taking a new lifetime mark.

Driver Bruce Ranger went right to the front with Dancin On The Wall and cut fractions of :27.1, :56.3 and 1:25.2 while also lengthening the lead at each split. When they turned for home, Dancin On The Wall simply annihilated the field by pulling away to an 11-1/2 length victory in a new career best of 1:54.4.

Ranger also drove Origin Story (Walner-Highscore Kemp) who went a very similar trip in a second non-winners event for 5-year-olds and under that went for $11,500. Origin Story took the lead off the gate and went :28.2, :58 and 1:28 over what was at that point a rain-soaked track. After racing around the final turn, Origin Story turned for home and pulled away to a three length victory in 1:57.1 to extend her current winning streak to four in a row.

Dancin On The Wall and Origin Story are both trained by Domenico Cecere and are owned by K R Breeding, who bred both fillies.

The Massachusetts Sire Stakes begin on Sunday (Sept. 25) and run through Monday (Oct. 24) when all eight finals will be held. There are 83 2-year-old and 76 3-year-old trotters and pacers eligible this year and the connections of all 159 horses have the following dates circled on their calendars.

Sunday (Sept. 25)

3-year-old first leg

Monday (Sept. 26)

2-year-old first leg

Sunday (Oct. 2)

3-year-old second leg

Monday (Oct. 3)

2-year-old second leg

Sunday (Oct. 16)

2-year-old third leg

Monday (Oct. 17)

3-year-old third leg

Monday (Oct. 24)

2 & 3-year-old finals

Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts partner in donating

$10,000 to the Standardbred Transition Alliance

When Plainridge Park hosts the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot on Sunday (July 24), the fourth race has been named “The Standardbred Transition Alliance Pace” in an effort to draw attention to the mission and important work this organization does on behalf of retired Standardbreds. And to show how much the racing community in Massachusetts cares about making sure every retired Standardbred finds a home and career after racing, they are making a collaborative donation to lead by example in this nationwide effort.

Plainridge Park, the Harness Horseman’s Association of New England, the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts and the New England Amateur Harness Drivers Club have partnered to make a direct donation of $10,000 to the Standardbred Transition Alliance.

“Everyone who races Standardbreds in Massachusetts understands the importance of the health and well-being of our horses and they all expend a lot of time and money to keep them sound and fit while they race. But it’s equally important to make sure these animals have a safe and secure future once they retire from the track. So the four main groups who represent all our horsemen and women want to make this donation on behalf of everyone racing here to show the collective concern for our equine athletes as they transition into their next phase of life,” said Steve O’Toole, Director of Racing at Plainridge Park.

There will also be the opportunity for all visiting horsemen and women and fans on to help retired race horses on Sunday by making their own donation to the STA at the track. All monies collected will go directly to the organization and everyone who contributes will be entered into a free random drawing for a 2022 Hambletonian package that includes two admissions, VIP Tent tickets, programs and hats, all donated by the Hambletonian Society. The Hambletonian will be held at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday (Aug. 6).

The STA is a non-profit organization with federal 501(c)(3) status whose mission is to accredit, inspect and award grants to approved organizations that acquire, rehabilitate, train and re-home Standardbreds. Funding is generated across the spectrum of the Standardbred industry, including regulatory agencies, horsemen’s groups, tracks, sales companies, farms, and individuals who participate as trainers, drivers, owners, and breeders.

Massachusetts-bred Incommunicado 5-2 favorite

in $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot

Svanstedt brings a formidable pair to Plainridge Park – Photo by Tom Melanson

One is a $1 million earning international star and the other is very much a home-grown champion. But both Ake Svanstedt trainees Alrajah One IT and Incommunicado will be starting in the $250,000 Spirit Of Massachusetts Trot at Plainridge Park on Sunday afternoon (July 24).

The Italian bred Alrajah One IT earned $1.17 million as a13-time winner in Europe with four Group I victories that include the Italian Derby and the Gran Premio d’Europa. He has also raced in Sweden twice in the Hugo Åberg’s Memorial at Jägersro and the Jubilee Cup at Solvalla, where he finished fourth. Other top three stake finishes came in the Gran Premio Duomo and the Lotteria, where he finished second to Face Time Bourbon last October.

Owner Scuderia My Horse Inc. shipped him to the United States in December of 2021 and he has been with the Svanstedt stable ever since. After not racing in the six months since landing in the U.S., Alrajah One IT made two qualifying starts at the Meadowlands that sort of flew under the radar. But it was his first race a week later that turned a lot of heads.

Alrajah One IT won the $147,000 Crawford Farms Open for older male trotters by 2-1/2 lengths over Lovedbythemasses, equaling the stakes record of 1:50.4 at The Meadowlands. In that start Alrajah One IT sat sixth to the half before following cover as his stablemate Ecurie D DK set tough fractions of :26.4, :55.2 and 1:24.4. Then coming down the lane Alrajah One IT swelled up and trotted home in :25.3 to win in 1:50.4 by 2-1/2 lengths for Dexter Dunn.

“In the Crawford he was better than I expected, he came home so fast. Over the last three weeks he’s been real good and on his schedule getting ready. I hope he has a chance to win this race because he’s a horse that’s going to race off a helmet. He’s trained really well coming in to this race,” said Svanstedt.

Unlike his stablemate Alrajah One IT, Incommunicado does not hold international intrigue, but what he does have is home field advantage. Incommunicado is a Massachusetts-bred star that was the 2- and 3-year-old male trotting champion in the Massachusetts Sire Stake, going a perfect seven-for-seven in that series.

Having dual eligibility in New York, at two he finished third in the New York Sire Stake final. Later he went on to the Massachusetts Sire Stakes and won two eliminations and the final by 17-1/4 lengths at Plainridge Park. Then at three, Incommunicado won the Dexter Cup at Freehold and finished third in the Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon Downs. He returned to Massachusetts in September for the Sire Stakes and ran the table again, winning three eliminations and the final by 11-1/2 lengths.

This year he has reset his lifetime mark twice, the latest a 1:51.1, four length romp at the Meadowlands. The following week he drew the rail in the $432,000 Hambletonian Maturity but was interfered with by the starting gate and never got the chance to compete as a result.

Incommunicado comes into the Spirit of Massachusetts most likely in the best form of his life and knowing this surface so well, should give him a definite edge as he vies for the prize.

“Incommunicado has won a lot at Plainridge because he likes tracks shorter than a mile. He’s come on as an older horse but he will need a good trip in here and if we get a check I’ll be happy. There are some good horses in this race. Lovedbythemasses is a very good horse so it won’t be easy to beat him. It’s a very good race.” said Svanstedt.

Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts to give away

children’s books on Spirit Trot Day (July 25)

The Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts will be set up outside the grandstand with information about breeding Standardbreds in Massachusetts as part of the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot Day festivities being held on Monday (July 25). They will also be giving away 75 copies of the recently published children’s book “Love To Race”, which tells a story through the eyes of retired Standardbred race horse Derek Bromac N. These books will be signed by author Amber Sawyer and given to the first 75 kids (12 and under) who come to their table and ask for one. Children must be accompanied by an adult in order to request a free book.

Massachusetts breds putting in good early season work

Massachusetts bred 2 and 3-year-old trotters and pacers who are eligible to the $2.4 million (est.) Massachusetts Sire Stakes later this year have already gotten underway and are winning at tracks across the northeast and the list starts with a pair of 3-year-old trotters who made a lot of news at two, and are ready to do the same again in their sophomore campaigns.

Branded By Lindy (Chapter Seven-The Lindy Label) became the all-time fastest 2-year-old trotting colt ever bred in Massachusetts on the strength of his 1:52 mile at the Red Mile last fall. He also had eight wins in 11 starts and earned $230,650 for his efforts. He won six out of seven Kentucky series stakes and finished third in the $600,000 Breeders Crown. This year he won his qualifier at The Meadowlands on Saturday (May 28) in 1:52.1, which was just 1/5th of a second off his lifetime mark and then won handily in his 3-year-old debut at Vernon Downs in a New York Sire Stake timed in 1:54.2. In his only other start this year he finished second as the heavy favorite in the $187,500 Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon.

Branded By Lindy spent three weeks at number one in Ken Warkentin’s Road To The Hambletonian ranking and currently sits at number three.

Raised By Lindy (Walner-Birthright) also etched her name in the history books at two, becoming the all-time fastest 2-year-old trotting filly ever bred in Massachusetts after winning in 1:51.3 at Lexington last year. A multiple stakes winner, Raised By Lindy finished second by a nose to Joviality S in the $600,000 Breeders Crown and pushed her earnings to $295,243 as a result. In 2022 the filly had a winning qualifier at the Meadowlands in 1:53.4 and followed that up with an overnight win in the Open at Vernon against aged trotters where she won by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:54.1. In her most recent start at the Meadowlands on Saturday (June 25) she finished a fast-closing fourth to Molotov Cocktail timed in 1:52.3 with a last quarter in :26.2 and did beat King Of The North (who finished sixth) who is currently ranked seventh in Warkentin’s Hambo summary.

Raised By Lindy is Hambletonian Oaks eligible and is positioned to be a major player in that stake as well.

All four of last year’s Massachusetts Sire Stake champions have also come back strong this year and are working their way towards repeating in the MASS series that starts on Sunday (Sept. 25).

3-year-old pacing gelding Striking Impact (Always B Miki-Aunt Caroline) has won four races out of eight starts all of which were taken at Plainridge Park. He took a new lifetime mark of 1:52.2 on May 5 and is showing the kind of form that won him the $100,000 final last year.

3-year-old trotting colt Bill Bauer (E L Titan-Miss Flaggy Meadow) has already seen stake action after competing in the $100,000 Bunker Hill Trot at Plainridge and $15,000 New York Sire Stakes Excelsior at Tioga, but unfortunately made a break in each event. That being said he also took a new lifetime mark of 1:56.3 in a 3-1/4 length overnight romp at Harrah’s Philly.

3-year-old pacing filly Pembroke Legacy (Baron Biltmore-Pembroke Oasis) has come back as good as she was last year and has already won two of three 2022 starts that include two Maine Sire Stakes at Bangor Raceway. She has not yet improved her best speed mark but has been competing solely over half mile tracks so far this year.

3-year-old trotting filly Tennessee Lindy (Muscle Hill-Nashville Lindy) just started back in June but has already taken a new mark of 1:57 flat at Plainridge in her second outing. However her first stakes action is still in the offing.

Here are some other Mass-breds who are already stake winners this year.

3-year-old pacing colt Galactic Storm (American Ideal- Betit To Getit) has won a $15,000 NYSS Excelsior in a lifetime best time of 1:54.1 at Vernon Downs after finishing second the week before in that same series at Saratoga Raceway, timed in 1:53.4.

3-year-old pacing colt -Deal With It Roman (Western Maverick-Deal With Life) who has won three out of four starts including two Maine Sire Stakes at Bangor Raceway, has also taken a new lifetime mark of 1:58.3 over the half at Cumberland Raceway.

3-year-old pacing filly Dude’s Sweet Bet (Dude’s The Man-Sweet Bettor) has also won two starts in 2022 including one $15,000 NYSS Excelsior plus she has also finished second and third in that series. She took a new lifetime mark of 1:53.1 at Vernon Downs, scoring a 7-1/4 length romp in an overnight.

Recent Mass-bred overnight winners include:

2-year-old pacing colts

Rockaroundsam (Rock N’ Roll World-Swingnsway Sammy K) 2:04.1 at Cumberland Raceway

2-year-old trotting colts

Outlawofthevalley (Pembroke Slugger-Fox Valley Demon) 2:11.4 at Cumberland Raceway

3-year-old pacing colts

Daughtry (Western Maverick-Unknown Artist) 1:59.1 at Bangor Raceway

Ranaldi (Western Maverick-Fire Can Fly) 1:58.4 at Bangor Raceway

Treacherous Tom (Captaintreacherous-Kate Is Well Said) 1:55.1 at Plainridge Park

Use Yah Blinkah (Western Maverick-Caila Fra) 1:59.1 at Bangor Raceway

3-year-old pacing fillies

Adela (Heston Blue Chip-Real Armor) 1:59 at Cumberland Raceway

Seafood Sapphire (American Ideal-Seafood Annie) 1:55.3 at Plainridge Park

3-year-old trotting colts

Stamped By Lindy (Muscle Hill-Born Lindy) 1:58 at Harrah’s Philadelphia

Warriorofthevalley (Pembroke Slugger-Fox Valley Shannon) 2:03.2 at Cumberland Raceway

3-year-old trotting fillies

Origin Story (Walner-Highscore Kemp) 1:54.4 at Plainridge Park

Just Liv Broadway (E L Titan-Black Broadway) 1:55.4 at Plainridge Park

Pembroke Faye (Pembroke Slugger-Pembroke Maiden) 2:10.4 at Bangor Raceway

Finally Mass-breds who have recently won qualifiers include:

2-year-old pacing colts

Luke McGook (Rock N’ Roll World-Madonna Hanover) 2:04 at Cumberland Raceway

Rooster Bennett (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) 1:59.1 at Vernon Downs

2-year-old pacing fillies

Dame (Dude’s The Man-Seat By The Window) 1:57.1 at Scioto Downs

Katelyn’s Angel (Western Maverick-Avacal Bliss) 2:02.4 at Cumberland Raceway

Polyester (Dude’s The Man-Love You Bye) 1:57.4 at Vernon Downs

Seafood Beauty (American Ideal-Seafood Annie) 1:58.3 at Plainridge Park

2-year-old trotting colts

Bravado (Trixton-Bourbon ‘N Grits) 2:02 at Vernon Downs

Inter Mischief (International Moni-BLinded By Lindy) 2:00.4 at Harrah’s Philadelphia

RFL’s Jasper (Royalty For Life-Just Like This) 2:01.3 at Vernon Downs

Te Amo Lindy (Muscle Hill-Lovely Lindy) 1:59.1 at the Meadowlands

Yo Lucky Moni (International Moni-Unbelindyble) 2:00.3 Hoosier Park

2-year-old trotting fillies

Backstitch (Muscle Mass-Dancing Coed) 2:00.3 at Vernon Downs

Get The Picture (Trixton-Royalty Free) 2:02.3 at Vernon Downs

Laurens Hoopla (E L Titan-Tatoo You) 2:02 at Vernon Downs

3-year-old pacing colts

Storm Artist (Gaelic Thunder-Art N Sassy) 2:00.3 at Cumberland Raceway

3-year-old trotting fillies

Grits N Trix (Trixton-Bourbon ‘N Grits) 1:57.1 at Vernon Downs

Shesaworkout (Whataworkout-Final Time) 2:02.2 at Vernon Downs

Massachusetts champion Bill Bauer has home field advantage in

Battle of Bunker Hill trot

(Bill Bauer shown here winning the $100,000 final of the Massachusetts Sire Stake in 2021. Photo courtesy of Tom Melanson)

The inaugural edition of the $100,000 Battle of Bunker Hill trot for 3-year-old trotters will be held at Plainridge Park on Monday (May 16) when the Grand Circuit returns to Massachusetts for the second of three 2022 engagements. One of the starters in this first time stake is Massachusetts-bred Bill Bauer (EL Titan-Miss Flaggy Meadow) who will be making his seasonal debut. However his last start last year was a win in the $100,000 Massachusetts Sire Stake final at Plainridge that made him the 2-year-old male trotting champion.

Bill Bauer is owned by another Massachusetts native, his trainer Paul Kelley, along with Joseph Palillo III and Ellen Palillo. Kelley is no stranger to top trotting stock. He guided the career of Obrigado to multiple stake wins and over $1.9 million in earnings. Kelley liked what he saw from Bill Bauer last year and says he looks for more improvement moving forward.

“Earlier last year in the Excelsiors in New York I was lucky because I had Wally Hennessy driving him and he gave the horse the chance to gain experience and confidence. Plus I knew that his best chance of making money last year was going to be at Plainridge based on the purses they race for versus the Excelsior.” said Kelley. “So we just tried to educate him through the summer and get to Plainridge and hopefully he would have his game together by then. There were a few bumps along the way but when we got to the final, things worked out for us for sure.”

Having those foundation miles under his belt, Kelley felt it was time to let Bill Bauer out a notch when he got to Massachusetts and they left with him in three consecutive stake starts.

“The first leg he cut the mile and just got caught at the wire and finished second by a neck. The second start he had the lead but ended up taking a trip. He pulled in the stretch, threw his head and made a break. In the final he had post six but with the persistent rain and sloppy track, that was the place to be. He cut the mile again, Drew (Monti, his driver) kept him in the two path where the footing was good and he won by eight lengths and took a mark of 1:57.4,” said Kelley.

The MASS final was Bill Bauer’s last start of the year and also his last as a colt. Kelley gelded him a week later and now looks forward to more improvement from the horse.

“I just knew he’d be a better horse as a gelding. I like turning horses out a lot and in groups and if he were to stay a colt that was a problem. He had a great off-season. He grew, he filled out real well and he trained down very well.”

Bill Bauer has two qualifiers at Harrah’s Philadelphia to this point this year and Kelley was impressed with both outings and feels he’s ready to race well in his first start of the year in this stake.

“I know there are some decent colts coming up there for the Bunker Hill and I was a little on the fence on whether or not to enter. But I figured he’s been up to Plainridge, he knows the track and got over it very well last year so I thought I’d take the shot. It’s early May and there are sires stakes going on in New Jersey and Pennsylvania so horses have other commitments too, so you don’t know where people will throw in. We’re looking forward to it,” Kelley concluded.

After this start, Bill Bauer will again compete in the New York Sire Stakes over the summer and make his return to Plainridge Park this fall to defend his title in the Massachusetts Sire Stakes starting in September.

There will be five horses going postward in the $100,000 Battle of Bunker Hill Trot which is carded as race five. Post time for the first race is 4 p.m.

Mullinax becomes the fastest pacer ever bred in Massachusetts

(Mullinax shown here winning a leg of the Massachusetts Sire Stake in 2021. Photo courtesy of Tom Melanson)

Click here to download free Plainridge Park racing program

Paul A. Vacca, 89, dies

Paul A. Vacca, 89, of Norton, Massachusetts, passed away on November 5th, 2024.

Born in Brockton, Massachusetts in 1935, Mr. Vacca was the son of the late Anthony and Frances (Desmond) Vacca. He graduated from Brockton High School in 1953 and went on to serve in the United States Army.

Mr. Vacca returned to civilian life and worked in construction. But he also enjoyed raising and racing harness horses which would become a full-time occupation as he became deeply involved in harness racing throughout New England, New York and New Jersey.

Some of Mr. Vacca’s more notable horses during his career include Bang Ah Uey (1:52.2, $204,790), Use Yah Blinkah (1:54.4, $199,032) and Roaring Kitty (1:51, $163,456).

Mr. Vacca was a member of the United States Trotting Association, a board member of the Standardbred Owners Association of New England, and a member of the Harness Horseman’s Association of New England.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org

Massachusetts Breeders Stake finals had a record-breaking day

The $1.28 million finals of the Massachusetts Breeders Stake was held on Thursday (Oct. 24) afternoon at Plainridge Park and records of all sorts were rewritten throughout the program.

Four stakes and two track records as well as four lifetime marks were either tied or broken during the stake divisions that were contested for $160,000 each.

Quick notes from the afternoon show that Yannick Gingras was the leading driver with three stake wins, seven different trainers each won one stake apiece and Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred five of the seven 2024 Massachusetts Breeders Stake champions.

In the non-betting 3-year-old filly pace, Every Mans Dream (Always B Miki-Lindy’s Nightmare) became a two-time Massachusetts champion after she destroyed the field in a record mile.

The time tied the lifetime mark of Every Mans Dream, tied the track record and set a new stake record for 3-year-old pacing fillies, breaking what she just set earlier this month.

Every Mans Dream is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke.

Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred Every Mans Dream.

The 2-year-old colt and gelding trot went to current track record holder Belmondo (Walner-Love lockdown) who brushed late to a convincing victory.

It was the third straight MBS win for Belmondo ($2.60) and owners Andy Miller Stable, One Legend Stable and Jean Goehlen. Julie Miller trained the winner, Belmondo and the place finisher My Degenerate.

Belmondo was bred by Lindy Farms of Connecticut.

There was a major upset in the 3-year-old trot for colts and geldings when Pepper Wow (Crazy Wow-Tori Hall) tripped-out to victory at 22-1.

The time was a new lifetime mark for Pepper Wow and equaled the stake record for 3-year-old trotting colts as well.

It was the sixth win of the year, but first MBS victory of 2024 for Pepper Wow ($46.00) who is owned and bred by Earl and Kathy Beaman in partnership with co-owner Shirley Michaud. Ivan Davies was the winning trainer.

The 2-year-old trotting fillies saw more records fall when R Lady W (Walner-Born Lindy) put in a dominating front end performance.

The time was a career best for R Lady W and also set new track and stake records for 2-year-old trotting fillies.

R Lady W ($2.20) is leased by M&L of Delaware and trained by Linda Toscano.

Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred R Lady W.

The second upset of the day came in the 3-year-old colt and gelding pace where O’er The Ramparts (American Ideal-See To Believe) got up in the shadow of the wire at 17-1.

It was the sixth win of the year, but first in the MBS for O’er The Ramparts ($36.20) who is owned by Glenn Goller and Stephen Demeter and trained by Mark Beckwith.

O’er The Ramparts was bred by Lindy Farms of Connecticut.

The 3-year-old trotting filly final went to the current MBS record holder Treatyofversaille (International Moni-Birthright) who captured her third consecutive stake victory on Thursday.

It was the sixth win of the year for Treatyofversaille ($3.60) who is owned and bred by Lindy Farms of Connecticut and trained by Domenico Cecere.

Another stake record fell in the 2-year-old colt and gelding pace where Jon I Love Dat (Downbytheseaside-Franney Love Dat) was never headed as he claimed the crown.

Jon I Love Dat ($6.20) is owned and bred by Robert Lovett and trained by Chuck Connor Jr.

The 2-year-old pacing filly final was declared a “no contest” after It’s Crunch Time (Yannick Gingras) made a mis-step and fell in the first turn, causing interference to the trailing horses. All wagers on the race were refunded.

The horses and drivers involved were checked out and okay after the race and the purse money will be distributed according to USTA Rule 13.05 (e) 1, concerning No Contest races.

The 2024 Massachusetts Breeders Stake finals are Thursday, Oct. 24

Gingras, Burke capture two Massachusetts Breeders Stakes

The third leg of the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes for 3-year-olds was held at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Oct. 15), featuring a total of $305,000 in purses.

The team of driver Yannick Gingras, trainer Ron Burke, and owners Tom and Scott Dillon combined to win two of the five races contested.

The $75,000 division of pacing colts and geldings experienced continued domination by Rocknroll Lou (Sweet Lou-Beautiful Lady), who claimed his third straight stakes win at Plainridge.

Rocknroll Lou ($2.10) is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke. Lester Gelardi and Anthony Passafaeo bred Rocknroll Lou.

In the first of two $40,000 filly paces, Every Man’s Dream (Always B Miki-Lindy’s Nightmare) handily scored her third consecutive MBS win and gave Gingras, Burke and the Dillons their first of two winners.

Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred the winner.

The second $40,000 group of pacing fillies saw Real Shady Lady (So Surreal-Eyemajet) capture her first MBS win of the year.

Real Shady Lady ($2.80) is owned, trained and bred by Alicia Gray.

Next came the trotting fillies, who vied for $75,000, and Treatyofversailles (International Moni-Birthright) backed up her big effort last week with another impressive victory.

Treatyofversailles ($2.80) is owned and bred by Lindy Farms of Connecticut and trained by Domenico Cecere.

The final competition of the day was the $75,000 colt and gelding trot, where Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility) made quick and easy work of the competition.

Keep Asking ($2.40) is owned by breeders Bill Donovan, Joe Sbrocco and Jim Winske in partnership with trainer George Ducharme.

The finals of the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes will be held on Thursday (Oct. 24) at Plainridge Park.

Zeron wins three Massachusetts Breeders Stakes at Plainridge

The third leg of the Massachusetts Breeders Stake for 2-year-olds of both gaits and sexes was held at Plainridge Park on Monday (Oct. 14) and state-bred first year starters competed for a total of $315,000 in purses.

Filly pacers and trotters and colt and gelding pacers went in split divisions due to number of entries worth $40,000 each, while the male trotters went a single $75,000 race.

Driver Scott Zeron had the hot hand on Monday, winning a total of three stake events. Two of his winners were horses trained by George Ducharme, who topped his fellow conditioners for the afternoon.

In the first filly trot, Fourth Warning (Greenshoe-Concentration) took control past the half and never looked back.

Fourth Warning ($9.40) is owned and bred by Ray Campbell Jr. and is trained by Gretchen Athearn.

The second group of girls saw R Lady W (Walner-Born Lindy) take her second straight MBS event.

R Lady W ($2.80) is leased by M&L of Delaware and trained by Linda Toscano.

Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred R Lady W.

The filly pacers were next and in round one, Beantown Roberta (Papi Rob Hanover-Ace of Pace) got her first lifetime and stake win.

Beantown Roberta ($12.40) is owned and trained by Wil Dubious.

Michael Goldberg Racing bred the winner.

The second division went to It’s Crunch Time (Captain Crunch-Meghan Lynn) who also claimed her second stake win.

It’s Crunch Time ($3.00) is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke.

Crawford Farms bred It’s Crunch Time.

The male pacers put on quite a show and Digging For Gold (Huntsville-Gold Orchid N) remained undefeated in the MBS this year.

Digging For Gold ($2.60) is owned by his trainer, George Ducharme, in partnership with Jim Winske and Dr. Megan Moschgat.

Bamq bred the winner.

The second division was won by Mccusker (Cattlewash-Robocall Hanover) who got a perfect trip to victory.

Mccusker ($3.60) is owned and bred by Winters Racing Stable.

Then in the lone trot for colts and geldings, track record holder Belmondo (Walner-Love Lockdown) chalked up his second straight MBS win.

Belmondo ($3.60) is owned by the Andy Miller Stable, One Legend Stable and Jean Goehlen and trained by Julie Miller.

Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred Belmondo.

The finals of the Massachusetts Breeders Stake will be held on Thursday (Oct. 24) at Plainridge Park.

Another record was broken in the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Oct. 1) afternoon, and another was tied in the second leg for 2-year-olds of both gaits and sexes who lined up behind the gate in seven races that totaled $315,000 in purse money.

The pacing fillies, trotting fillies, and pacing colts and geldings were each divided into two $40,000 splits due to the number of entries, while trotting colts and geldings competed in one $75,000 dash.

Drivers Brett Beckwith and Marcus Miller were tops in the bike as they both had two winners in stakes competition.

The new standard was established in the $75,000 trot for colts and geldings, where Belmondo (Walner-Love Lockedon) got a perfect trip and struck late in record time.