Plainridge: Ducharme, Zeron double in Massachusetts Sire Stakes

The Massachusetts Sire Stakes season for sophomores began on Sunday at Plainridge Park with one division for each gait. Trainer George Ducharme won two of the races, as did driver Scott Zeron.

Ducharme teamed with driver Shawn Gray to win the $28,000 colt and gelding trot with Double Dealing in 1:56 1/5. Double Dealing led through stations of 27 2/5, 57, and 1:26 1/5 on his way to a four length decision over Dazzling Lindy (Drew Monti). Raybarnz (Ivan Davies) came in third.

A gelding by RC Royalty, Double Dealing is owned by breeder Raymond Campbell Jr. Second in the Massachusetts Sire Stakes final for 2-year-old male trotters a year ago, Double Dealing won for the fifth time in his career, and he has noew earned $99,330. He paid $6.20 to win as the 2-1 second choice.

The other win for Ducharme came in the $29,000 filly trot with Without A Warning (Zeron). The third-place finisher in the New York Sire Stakes final, Without A Warning made front from post three in the field of eight and posted fractions of 28 2/5, 57 4/5, and 1:25 1/5. She repelled a stern first-over challenge from stablemate Dramatra (Gray) past three-quarters, and kicked clear to win by six lengths in 1:54 2/5. Dramatra wound up second, with another Ducharme trainee, Greyscale (Bruce Ranger) back in third.

Without A Warning is a daughter of RC Royalty owned and bred by Campbell Jr. She now has a record of 7-4-5 from 21 appearances, and she has pocketed $339,322. She returned $2.40 to win as the 1-5 favorite.

Zeron's other win came in the $29,000 colt and gelding pace with Linda Toscano trainee Wyatt J. Wyatt J pulled first-over from third going to the 1:23 2/5 three-quarters, wore down leader Spatterdash (Michael Stevenson) and prevailed by a length and three-quarters in 1:52 1/5. Spatterdash saved second over Finnbar (Ron Cushing).

This was Wyatt J's fifth straight victory. Wyatt J is an American Ideal gelding owned by Ken Jacobs, and he has now pocketed $47,208 in his life. Dispatched at 1-9, he paid $2.20 to win.

Shes A Fireball (Ron Cushing) was a 1:54 1/5 victor in the filly pace. Ry's Red Rocket (Matt Athearn) put up the 26 4/5 opening quarter, the 55 3/5 half, and the 1:23 4/5 three-quarters, but Shes A Fireball surged by from first-up late, prevailing by a neck. I Am Wonder Woman (Wallace Watson) was the third-place finisher.

By Western Maverick, Shes A Fireball is trained by Heidi Gibbs for Cushing and Adams Racing LLC. Shes A Fireball made her fifth appearance in the winner's circle, and she has stashed away $85,255. She returned $7.40 to win as the 5-2 second choice.