With the big Nor'easter, which caused the cancellation of Monday's card, out to sea, live harness racing resumed at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, Oct. 14 with two Baystate TrackMaster tilts topping the ticket on a breezy, damp afternoon.

The $35,211 split went to Er Griffin (Nick Graffam) who got away fourth to the quarter in :27.2 before moving first-over towards the leader, Major Betts (Bruce Ranger), who had skated to the half in :56.2. Er Griffin drew abreast of Major Betts at three-quarters in 1:24.1 and was alongside him all the way around the last turn. But when they reached the stretch, Er Griffin swelled up and paced away from everyone to a 3-1/2-length win in 1:51.3. Alluneedisfaith N (Matty Athearn) finished second, followed by Major Betts.

The win was the fifth of the year in 28 outings for Er Griffin ($12.40). The five-year-old son of Riggins-Susie Girl is 14-for-82 lifetime with $297,574 in earnings. Mike Eaton trains the gelding and shares ownership with Bob McHugh, Bob Griffin and Russell Young.

In the $28,169 division, Sandpiper N (Ranger) got away fifth as Gandolf The Black (Drew Monti) led through fractions of :26.1, :54.2 and 1:22.3. Approaching three-quarters, Sandpiper N moved second-over behind Mach Seelster (Nick Graffam), who stalled in the turn, prompting Ranger to tip Sandpiper N three-wide. As the field entered the lane, Gandolf The Black was still in charge, but Sandpiper N flew down the stretch and nabbed the leader at the line to win by a head in 1:52. Whats For Suppaah (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished third.

Sandpiper N ($11) is owned and trained by Kathleen Brewer. The eight-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Humminbird N gelding is a 14-time career winner who has banked $201,571 in 78 lifetime outings. He is four-for-25 this year.

Nick Graffam led all drivers with a triple, while Brett Beckwith and Ranger each had two driving wins. Brewer had two training winners.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m., and there will be a $1,616 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in the sixth race. 

(Plainridge Park; photo of Er Griffin winning on May 19)