Freshmen Get Final MASS Tune-Up
The final legs of the $15,000 Wood End Light for trotting two-year-olds and $15,000 Nauset Light for pacing two-year-olds were held on Sunday (Sept. 20) at Plainridge Park, producing two more winners who will be competing in the Massachusetts Sire Stakes (MASS) starting next week.
The Wood End Light was won by Me Too Baby, who led at every station of the mile before turning for home and holding off a charge from the pocket-sitting Sumbigbank Hanover to score her first win by a neck in 1:58.2.
Me Too Baby is owned by Thomas Dillon and trained by Gretchen Athearn. Matty Athearn drove the $3.00 winner.
The Nauset Light saw Suzie Blue Chip sit a garden-spot trip behind last week’s winner Bumpah Stickah all the way to the top of the lane, where driver Shawn Gray pulled and ran down the leader at the light to win by three-quarter lengths in 1:56.1.
It was the third win in a row for Suzie Blue Chip and owner Kapildeo Singh. Eve Bergeron does the training. The winner returned $2.40.
Both of these horses will draw serious consideration in the MASS when it kicks off at Plainridge Park on Sunday, Sept. 27 with the three-year-olds going to post. The two-year-olds will first convene on Monday, Sept. 28.
Driver Drew Monti led all reinsmen on Sunday with three winners followed closely by Shawn Gray with two. Trainer Domenico Cecere also sent two stablemembers to the winner’s circle.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (Sept. 21) with post time at 2 p.m. (EDT).
(Plainridge Park)