Dark skies, steadily increasing rain and a track that was downgraded as the program progressed was the stage set for the first $163,234 two-year-old leg of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon.
But the undesirable conditions didn’t diminish the performances put in by the best bred freshmen trotters and pacers in the Commonwealth.
$41,200 two-year-old colt and gelding trot
Winner: Simple Kaos (RC Royalty-Ksenia) 1:57
Owners: George Ducharme Stable and Michelle Larson
Trainer: George Ducharme
Breeder: Michelle Larson
Mutuel: $5.80
Simple Kaos (Jimmy Whittemore) got away fourth off the gate while The Fixer (Mark Athearn) took control of the race and led the group to a :29 first quarter. That lead was short-lived as Simple Kaos pulled in front of the stands and rolled to the front in a commanding fashion, hitting the half in :58.2. From there Whittemore became a passenger while his trotter had things well under control. Continuing up the backside Simple Kaos and The Fixer drew away from the rest of the field and then Simple Kaos pulled away from The Fixer at the top of the stretch. Down the lane Simple Kaos jogged away under no urging and was a wrapped-up six-length winner in 1:57.
$43,034 two-year-old colt and gelding pace
Winner: Victorias Maverick (Western Maverick-Perfect Launch) 1:56
Owners: Leighton Property and Bruce Plouffe
Trainer: Valerie Grondin
Breeder: Lynn-Marie Plouffe
Mutuel: $3.40
Victorias Maverick (Heath Campbell) left no doubt who was the best in this division, grabbing an early lead and putting the competition away almost immediately. After cutting a fairly easy half of :58, Campbell stepped on the gas pedal and Victorias Maverick put some distance between himself and the rest of field by the three-quarters. From there he simply walked away from the field, eventually widening the gap of victory to six-lengths under the wire in 1:56. The winning time was a new lifetime mark for Victorias Maverick and it also tied the stake record.
$40,300 two-year-old filly trot
Winner: Evs Girl (Crazed-Lindys Lullaby) 1:59.2
Owners: Andy Miller Stable, Harvey Eisman and Little E LLC
Trainer: Julie Miller
Breeder: K R Breeding LLC
Mutuel: $3.00
Unbelindyble (Greg Merton) left sharply for the lead and looked strong cutting the quarter in :29.2, but Evs Girl (Steve Smith) was out and moving as they hit that station and she took the lead as they passed under the wire for the first time. Halfway up the backside Evs Girl opened a four-length advantage but the race was far from over. Crystalline (Shawn Gray) caught up and drew alongside at three-quarters and Unbelindyble was still tracking from behind, a closer third. Down the lane Evs Girl was under a line drive by Smith as Gray was urging Crystalline who was closing with every stride. However Evs Girl held her off at the wire and won by one-half length in 1:59.2.
$38,700 two-year-old filly pace
Winner: Karans Choice (Sportswriter-Denverlove) 1:59.1
Owner: Al Ross
Trainer: Jim Hardy
Breeder: Al Ross
Mutuel: NB
Karans Choice (Jim Hardy) left from post one and led the entire mile. After setting quarters of :28.4, 1:00.1 and 1:30.1 Hardy kept Karans Choice on her game in the lane, fending off a late challenge by Cominrightatyou (Ron Cushing) to win by a length in 1:59.1.
The MASS action continues at Plainridge Park on Tuesday with five divisions of three-year-olds of both gaits go for a total of $165,100 in purses. The first contest is a non-betting race at 1:45 p.m. Post time for the first race on the regular betting card is 2 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)