The $161,143 W. N. Reynolds Stakes for three-year-old pacers was featured at Plainridge Park on Monday (Oct. 12) afternoon and contested in two divisions separated by gender with both divisions producing a record mile.
The fillies went to post for $81,357 in the Leta Long and Surreal Spirit (So Surreal-Caviart Elena) set a new stake record for three-year-old fillies and also a new lifetime mark.
Two Twenty Swift (Mitch Cushing) led to the quarter in :26.2 before Surreal Spirit (Jeff Gregory) tipped from third and took control passing the stands. Once on top, Surreal Spirit reached the half in :55.1 and three-quarters in 1:22.3 as Ideal Beauty Queen (Matty Athearn) and Lenna (Brett Beckwith) were closing in on the outside. But those threats were turned away by Surreal Spirit, who marched through the turn and then bolted home alone, on top by three lengths in 1:50.3. Two Twenty Swift was second, with Dark N Tan (Mike Oosting) finishing third.
It was the fourth win in the last six starts and seventh win overall this year for Surreal Spirit ($3.00), who is owned by Edmund Namiotka Jr. and Carol Namiotka of Baldwinsville, NY, along with Linda Mund of Eaton, NY, and trained by her driver, Jeff Gregory.
The colts and geldings competed in the Tar Heel that went for $79,786 and Everlast Sting Deo (Perfect Sting-Lityle Miss K) took a new lifetime mark while tying the stake record for this division with his impressive 1:49.3 victory.
Everlast Sting Deo (Bruce Ranger) parked out Watch Em Win (Brett Beckwith) for almost a quarter mile before he crossed over in :25.4. Then once he settled in the pocket, Everlast Sting Deo tripped-out behind Watch Em Win to the half in :54.3, three-quarters in 1:21.4 and around the last turn. As the race was turning for home, Everlast Sting Deo tipped off the pylons and took dead aim at Watch Em Win, eventually grabbing the lead in deep stretch and clearing by 1-3/4 lengths to win in 1:49.3. Unmatched Wisdom (Drew Monti) was third, 3-1/2 lengths back of the winner.
It was the fifth win of the year for Everlast Sting Deo ($11.00) who is owned by Morrison Racing Stables of Indiana, PA, and trained by Travis Alexander.
In the $35,714 Open Handicap overnight pacing feature, Fifth And Five (Brett Beckwith) took the lead passing the quarter and then battled with Dale Yeah (Michael Oosting) from three-quarters to the top of the stretch before turning back the challenge. Fifth And Five then paced clear by 1-1/4 lengths and won his second straight at Plainridge, this time in 1:49.2.
The 2026 Gold Cup and Saucer champion, Fifth And Five ($3.00), is owned by Pollack Racing of Venetia, PA, and trained by Enrico Robinson.
Brett Beckwith led all drivers on Monday with three wins, two of which were trained by Enrico Robinson, who topped all trainers for the day.
Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Oct. 13) at 2 p.m. and there will also be a $4,745 USD carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the sixth race.
(With files from The Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts; Photo of Surreal Spirit winning on Oct. 12)