Even though it was a bye week for the Massachusetts Sire Stakes, the younger horses still took centre stage on Sunday (Oct. 11) at Plainridge Park. This was quite evident in the $15,000 featured trot, which Blue Knight won track record time.
Final Dream (Bruce Ranger) and Just Dreamin (Nick Graffam) argued for the lead and got away one-two at the quarter in :27.3. But that order was short lived, as Blue Knight (Drew Monti) pulled from third at the top of the stretch and grabbed control of the race in front of the grandstand. From there, Blue Knight burned up the backstretch in :27.3, opening up a four-length lead by the three-quarters and stretching it to six by the top of the stretch. Blue Knight continued to trot strongly down the lane all alone and hit the line in 1:54.1, which was a new lifetime mark and also a new track record for three-year-old trotting geldings.
It was the third win in a row and fifth win of the season for Blue Knight ($3.00), who is owned and trained by G. Richard Mason Jr.
In the $14,000 condition for four-year-old and under trotters, Mimis Moni (Drew Monti) went off at 1-9 and didn’t disappoint her backers. Leaving from post three, Mimis Moni took the lead past the quarter and never looked back. She led the rest of the race by 1-3/4 lengths and trotted home under no urging by the same margin in 1:56.2.
It was the second straight win and fifth in eight starts this year for Mimis Moni ($2.10), who is owned by Greathorse and trained by Domenico Cecere.
After scoring five driving wins at Batavia Downs last night, Drew Monti continued his hot hand with a grand slam at Plainridge on Sunday. In the nine races in which he drove on the 10-race card, Monti never missed the board, scoring four wins, three second-place finishes and two third-place finishes.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (Oct. 12) with post time at 2 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)