One week after taking a new lifetime mark of 1:52 at the Meadowlands, The Fun Marshall bounced right back and made it two in a row in the $15,000 feature for five-year-old and younger filly and mare pacers at Plainridge Park on Friday (October 16) on a very rainy afternoon.
The Fun Marshall (Mitchell Cushing) left from post nine and ducked in fifth while Kitty Hoyne (Nick Graffam) grabbed the lead by the quarter and took the field to the half in :56.1. By that point, The Fun Marshall had already been rolling up on the outside and by the three-quarters, had cleared and opened up a two-length lead. From there, Cushing sat chilly as The Fun Marshall kicked away with every stride and ended up a seven-length winner in 1:53.
The Fun Marshall ($6), who earned $179,496 last year and was crowned the New York Sire Stakes two-year-old pacing filly champion paid instant dividends for her owners Jim Winske, David Winske and Stephen Michaels, who just purchased her last week. Melissa Beckwith trains the winner.
In the undercard $10,500 mid-level conditioned distaff pace, Odds On Algorithm (Shawn Gray) remained perfect in Massachusetts after winning her third straight race at Plainridge Park. After taking the lead just before the three-quarters on the strength of a three-wide brush, Odds On Algorithm paced sharply on the point all the way to the wire while holding off a fast-closing Hilaria (Mike Stevenson) to win by a half-length in 1:53.
Odds On Algorithm ($4.60) registered her seventh win of the year for owner The Green Machine Stable and trainer Alicia Gray.
Melissa Beckwith led all trainers with three wins on Friday and that made her the winningest trainer of the meet with 25 wins. Alicia Gray was right behind with two wins on the card.
Driver Shawn Gray also had the hat trick Friday and he is the leading driver of the meet so far this year, now with 92 wins.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Sunday, Oct. 18, with post time at 2 p.m. The Massachusetts Sire Stakes also resume at Plainridge Park on Sunday and Monday, Oct. 19 when the third leg for all age, gaits and genders will be contested. The MASS finals will be held at The Ridge on Monday, Oct. 26. Post time for all stake race days are 2 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)