Back in Massachusetts after recently taking a lifetime mark of 1:51.3 at the Meadowlands, Nows The Moment showed early speed and late resolve in capturing the $14,000 Winners-Over trotting feature at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon (July 31).

Nows The Moment (Mike Stevenson) battled three other horses early off the gate and grabbed the first lead before Wings Of Royalty (Shawn Gray), who was four-wide in the first turn, took the top past the quarter in :26.3. Gray kept the brisk tempo going, pushing Wings Of Royalty to the half in :54.3 and the three-quarters in 1:24.1 with Nows The Moment glued to his back.

The two horses separated from the pack going up the backside and when they proceeded into the turn, Stevenson tipped Nows The Moment, circled the leader and pulled away into the lane. When they straightened out in the stretch, Nows The Moment was trotting away from the field on his own and opened up a 4-3/4 length margin at the wire and won in 1:53.4.

It was the third win of the year for Nows The Moment ($3.40) who is owned by Sonya Mac Donald and trained by L Alex Mac Donald.

Mike Stevenson had a big day on the all-trot card at The Ridge Friday, winning a total of three races during the afternoon. Besides Nows The Moment, he also won with Just Dreamin (1:57.2, $15.00) and Just Enuf Sass (1:56.4, $9.00).

Driver Drew Monti and trainer Domenico Cecere also teamed up for two wins on the card.

Live harness racing resumes at Plainridge on Monday (Aug. 3) with post time at 4 p.m.

(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)