Massachusetts-bred and two-time Massachusetts Sire Stakes champion Bill Bauer brushed late to claim his second win of the year in the $20,000 top trot at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (July 24). 

Drew Campbell got away sixth from post five with Bill Bauer and remained in that position as Dewey Dog (Jim Hardy) set fractions of :27.3 and :57.1 to the half, where an outer flow was developing. Bill Bauer was third-over in that flow and closed his deficit to only 3-3/4 lengths at three-quarters, although he was still sitting sixth. Halfway through the last turn, Campbell tipped Bill Bauer four-wide and the trotter responded with a quick burst. When they straightened for home, Bill Bauer quickly grabbed the lead and trotted away to a one-length victory in 1:56.1. 

The seventh career win for Bill Bauer ($5) pushed him over the quarter-million dollar mark in earnings, now with $251,825 on his card, for owner Leo Bauer. Paul Kelley trains the winner. 

Campbell had a driving double on Monday. 

Later in a $17,500 conditioned trot, Blue Knight (Ivan Davies) made a substantial drop in class pay off after he took control and led at every station to score a very easy one-length win in a season’s best 1:55.3. Blue Knight is owned and trained by Richard Mason Jr. 

It was the second win of the day for the Mason/Davies team as they also scored with Midnite Craze (1:55.3, $3.40) earlier on the program. 

Drivers Matty Athearn and Nick Graffam also both had two wins as did trainer Gretchen Athearn. 

There will be no live racing at Plainridge on Tuesday (July 25) as a result of the Spirit of Massachusetts card held on Sunday (July 23). However, live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday (July 27) at 4 p.m. and there will be a $3,150 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.

(Standardbred Owners Of Massachusetts)