Plainridge: Massachusetts Breeders Stakes begin

Plainridge Park was host to the $3.2 million (est.) Massachusetts Breeder Stakes on Monday (Sept. 28) as the first-leg of competition for 2-year-old state-breds of both gaits and sexes lined up for a total of $381,600 in purses.

Despite the Nor'easter that had hampered the East Coast over the weekend, the track was in great shape, thanks to the hard work of the track crew who worked diligently for two days to ensure a top-notch racing surface, which ended up yielding five new lifetime marks. Also, outstanding performances were put forth by Yannick Gingras, who had a grand slam at the lines, and Domenico Cecere, who had a training double during the afternoon.

But the big story of the day was the 2-year-old pacing filly, Griselda (American Ideal-Bronskimackenzie A), who etched her name in the record books several times as a result of her performance in one of three $42,000 divisions.

Griselda (Dexter Dunn) got away fourth as Silver Sands (Nick Graffam) and Chase News Network (Brett Beckwith) battled to the quarter in 27 1/5. Silver Sands won that tussle and continued on top to the half in 56 seconds, with Chase News Network tucked in second. As they motored up the backstretch, Miss Chevious (Yannick Gingras) pulled first-over and Griselda followed right on her back. Miss Chevious burst to the front before three-quarters and had the lead heading into the turn, but Miss Chevious made a bobble halfway through that bend and Griselda was guided three-wide around her. Griselda easily took the lead at that point and swelled up in the stretch, pacing away by 4 3/4 lengths in 1:52 1/5.

The time of 1:52 1/5 was a new lifetime mark for Griselda, a new track and stake record for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Plainridge Park, and also made Griselda the fastest 2-year-old pacing filly ever bred in the state of Massachusetts. Griselda ($7.20) is owned, was bred and is trained by Tahnee Camilleri.

The first $42,000 split was won by Stayoutofmylane (Stay Hungry-Gold Orchid N), who prevailed after a hard fought finish.

Siri (Matty Athearn) took a quick lead off the gate before Stayoutofmylane (Brett Beckwith) moved from third to take the lead at the 28 1/5 quarter. Positions remained unchanged to the half, where Maggi Lynn tipped out from third and pushed for the front. As they passed three-quarters in 1:25 4/5, Stayoutofmylane and Maggie Lynn were matching strides and continued too around the turn. Then as they turned for home, Siri tipped three-high into the middle of the track and drew alongside Stayoutofmylane. The two battled to the line where Stayoutofmylane hung on by a neck and won in 1:55, which was a lifetime mark.

Stayoutofmylane is owned and was bred by George Ducharme Stable, Jim Winslow and Dr. Megan Moschgat, and is trained by George Ducharme. This was a non-betting event.

The third section went for $42,400 and was won by Lindy Believer (Captaintreacherous-Believe Its Lindy), who was an easy, runaway winner.

Sweetness Lindy (Brett Beckwith) took the early lead and held it to the quarter before Lindy Believer (Yannick Gingras) pulled from third and bolted to the front. Lindy Believer passed the half and then had to deal with Lula (Kevin Switzer Jr.), who came first-over and paced alongside her to three-quarters. As the field moved through the turn, Lula tired and Lindy Believer started pulling away. At the top of the stretch, Lindy Believer was long gone and crossed the line first by 8 1/2 lengths in 1:53 1/5, home in a sparkling 26 4/5.

Lindy Believer ($2.20) is owned by Engblom Farm, R A W Equine, Evans Nation and Hickory Hollow Stable and trained by Petter Engblom. Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred the winner.

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The trotting fillies were next and the first $42,400 grouping was won by Easy Peasy (International Moni-O So Easy), who made her first lifetime start in the stake.

Easy Peasy (Yannick Gingras) got away third as Seen Lindy (Brett Beckwith) set fractions of 29 2/5, 58 2/5 and 1:29 1/5, while Halo Lindy (Tyler Miller) tracked from second and Sensitivity (Nick Graffam) chased from the outside. As the race moved off the far turn and into the stretch, Halo Lindy pulled and edged in front of Seen Lindy, but Easy Peasy moved to the center of the track and trotted by them both to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:58 4/5 to take a lifetime mark.

Easy Peasy ($32.20) is owned by John Di Antonio Jr. and trained by Barry Segal. Moni Maker Stable bred the winner.

The second $42,800 test went to Nanny's Ce Ce (Muscle Hill-Bomb Hugger), who was an easy winner on the front.

Nanny's Ce Ce (Jeff Gregory) got away third as Ma's Always Right (Yannick Gingras) struck the point from post seven and reached the quarter in 30 3/5. However, Nanny's Ce Ce was out and rolling in front of the stands and grabbed the front before the half. Nanny's Ce Ce then rolled to three-quarters while Luxe Lindy (Tyler Miller) made a bid from third, trotting alongside the leader through the last turn. At the top of the stretch, Nanny's Ce Ce found another gear and flew home in 27 4/5 to win by two lengths in 1:57 2/5.

Nanny's Ce Ce ($3.40) is owned and was bred by Jesmeral Stable and is trained by her driver Jeff Gregory.

The trotting colts and geldings went in two splits, and their first $42,000 event was won by Once Upon Lindy (International Moni-Origin Story), who got a perfect trip to reel in the win.

Maxman (Dexter Dunn) took the lead from post one and set fractions of 30 4/5, 59 4/5 and 1:28 1/5, while Sparkling Lindy (Matt Kakaley) and Once Upon Lindy (Yannick Gingras) followed closely behind. As they passed three-quarters, Once Upon Lindy pulled first-over into the turn and made her way to the front by the top of the stretch. From there, Once Upon Lindy trotted home clear by 2 1/4 lengths over Sparkling Lindy in a career-best 1:56 3/5, with a sharp 27 4/5 kicker.

Once Upon Lindy ($5.40) is owned and was bred by K R Breeding and is trained by Domenico Cecere.

In the second $42,000 contest, Two Fifty (Walner-Highscore Kemp) lived up to the 1-9 hype to score the win.

On Tap Lindy (Brett Beckwith) grabbed the front and motored to the quarter in 31 1/5. That prompted Two Fifty (Dexter Dunn) to pull from third and take control by three lengths before they passed the half in 1:02. Positions remained unchanged to three-quarters, around the last turn and into the stretch, where Two Fifty easily made his way home on top by 2 1/4 lengths in a lifetime best 2:01 3/5.

Two Fifty ($2.10) is owned and was bred by K R Breeding and is trained by Domenico Cecere.

The final two events were for pacing colts and geldings.

The first $42,800 division was won by Takes Courage (American Courage-Norinoro Hanover), who put in a convincing performance.

Takes Courage (Matt Kakaley) went right to the lead and never looked back. With Sting Me (Mitchell Cushing) sitting in a tight pocket, Takes Courage stopped the clock in 28 1/5, 58 1/5 and 1:27 2/5 before heading into the final bend. At the top of the stretch, Sting Me tipped out and took a run at the leader, but Takes Courage turned back the challenge and paced home clear by a length in 1:54 3/5.

Takes Courage ($2.60) is owned and was bred by Fiddler's Creek Stable and is trained by Travis Alexander.

The second split was won by Bacchus Blue Chip (American Ideal-Sunnynseventyfive), who tripped-out to a strong finish.

Bacchus Blue Chip (Yannick Gingras) got away second to Bastonata Bluechip (Matt Kakaley), who got to the quarter in 27 3/5. As they rolled to the half, Top Notch Treasure (Bruce Ranger) ambled up the outside and drew near Bastonata Bluechip at the half, and then continued to push the leader to three-quarters, which was reached in 1:26 4/5. Top Notch Treasure started to fade in the last turn, leaving a clear lane for Bacchus Blue Chip to pull, and he took full advantage when they entered the lane. Bacchus Blue Chip tipped out and paced up to Bastonata Bluechip, then pushed ahead to the front and won by one-half length in 1:54 2/5.

Bacchus Blue Chip ($2.40) is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Larry Karr, Libby and Purnel and Frank Baldachino and is trained by Ron Burke. Blue Chip bloodstock bred the winner.

Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Sept. 29) at 2 p.m. (EDT) and will feature the first leg of 3-year-old races of the $3.2 million (est.) Massachusetts Breeder Stakes.

--press release (Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)--