Massachusetts-bred Finnbar took advantage of a favourable draw and made an early move that proved fruitful as he won the $15,500 pace for four-year-olds and under at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon.
Finnbar (Shawn Gray) got away fifth as Stihl N (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) led the troops through the first turn, but Gray tipped quickly before the quarter and marched to the lead in front of the stands. Finnbar continued to pace sharply with Stihl N on his back and hit the three-quarters in 1:25.3. Motoring around the final bend it had turned into a two-horse race and Stihl N came off the pylons to take his best shot at Finnbar as they headed into the stretch. But Gray had his horse on cruise control and line-drove Finnbar to the wire and won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53.3, tying his lifetime mark.
Scoring his second win of the year, Finnbar ($2.40) is owned by his trainer, Nancy Longobardi.
Finnbar (Real Desire-Unbeachable) has been competing in the Massachusetts Sire Stakes for the past two weeks, but entered an overnight event on Monday as the stake had a bye this week. He was not the only eligible to do that and some of the others who did, ended up in the winner’s circle as well and all three took new lifetime marks in the process.
Two-year-old pacing colt Beantown Bruschi (Dragon Again-Wondrous Grace) made a three-wide three-quarter move from seventh and pulled away down the stretch to win by 7-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2. Driven by Mitchell Cushing, Beantown Bruschi ($2.60) is owned by Michael Goldberg Racing and is trained by Jeff Lieberman.
Three-year-old pacing filly Lilys Delight (So Surreal-My True Delight) left from post seven for Mitchell Cushing and went gate to wire, scoring a one-length win in 1:57.2. Lilys Delight ($8.00) is owned by The Right Move Racing and is trained by Brewer Adams.
Three-year-old pacing gelding Mister Puzzles (Western Maverick-Dicey Miss) took an early lead but then tripped out from the quarter on, finding racing room in the stretch to win in 1:55.4. Mister Puzzles ($14.60) is owned by Richard and Wendy Humphrey and is trained by his driver, John Nason.
The MASS resumes at Plainridge Park on Sunday (Oct. 18) and Monday (Oct. 19) with the finals taking place the following week on Monday (Oct. 26).
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Oct. 15) at 2 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)