Plainridge: Groovy Man grabs Paul Revere Pace title

Groovy Man, making just his third career start, can now be called a Grand Circuit stakes winner as he captured the $100,000 Paul Revere Pace for 3-year-old colts and geldings on Thursday afternoon at Plainridge Park in 1:52 1/5.

Driven by Yannick Gingras and starting from post six, Groovy Man left quickly and was able to clear Layton Hanover (Matt Kakaley) for the top spot prior to the 27 1/5 opening quarter. Fourever Boy (Mike Wilder), the third-place finisher in the Metro and runner-up in the Matron in 2021, was moving up two-wide behind Groovy Man heading to that initial marker, but then he made a break, taking himself out of contention and leaving Groovy Man uncontested for control.

The half would go on the board in 55 2/5, and just after that station, driver Josert Fonseca brought Groovy Man's stablemate Caviart Scout to the outside from fourth. Caviart Scout came with a quick rush that actually carried him to a narrow advantage on the rim over Groovy Man at the 1:24 three-quarters, but Groovy Man was able to counter at the inside on the far turn and brought the field into the stretch.

Through the lane, Layton Hanover had room on the inside, Caviart Scout kept plugging away, and Rocknroll Gold (Matthew Athearn) tipped out and split foes after an inside trip, but none of them could reach Groovy Man, who held sway gamely and determinedly to win by a quarter of a length. Layton Hanover wound up second, and Rocknroll Gold, a 74-1 shot, was able to get past Caviart Scout to finish in third.

"I left for position, hoping to get a trip behind Fourever Boy. But he made a break in the first turn, so I ended up cutting it. He was fine in front until he got spooked by a bird that flew in front of him at the top of the stretch. It kind of threw him off a bit, but he kept his head and finished the job. I was very happy with his effort," said Gingras.

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Nancy Takter trains Groovy Man, a gelding by Huntsville, for owners Elmer Fannin, Brent Fannin, Joe Sbrocco, and Nancy Takter & Jaf Racing. Groovy Man, who was bred by Steve Jones and sold for $50,000 at the 2020 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, has two wins from three lifetime starts, and he has now earned $53,200. Groovy Man paid $4.80 to win as a 7-5 offering.

--Gingras quote courtesy of the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts--