It doesn’t matter what track he races at, Madhatter Bluechip just continues to win. On Friday (Oct. 18) his multi-state roadshow continued as he ventured into Massachusetts to visit Plainridge Park and came away with his fifth straight victory after winning the $16,000 Open trotting feature.
Madhatter Bluechip (Kevin Switzer Jr.) left and took a quick lead before the heavily-favoured Nows The Moment (Mike Stevenson), who was on a three-race winning streak himself coming into the race, shot by him to take the lead in a serious first quarter of :26.4. The race continued past the half and to the five-eighths where Quicksilver Kemp (Shawn Gray) pulled first over to join the fray.
Unaffected by the challenge, Nows The Moment continued to trot strong into the far turn and even appeared to draw away a bit as they spun out of that final bend. Quicksilver Kemp faded out of the picture allowing Madhatter Bluechip room to pull. Switzer got that one underway and he headed down the lane with a full head of steam. Madhatter Bluechip was trotting furiously under a line-drive from Switzer and pulled away to a two-length win in 1:54.3, which was a new seasonal mark.
It was the eighth win in the last nine starts and ninth win of the year for Madhatter Bluechip ($5.20) who has now earned $53,514 this year for owner Thomas Milici. Candace Brandstatter is the trainer.
Mike Stevenson led all drivers on Friday, scoring a hat trick on the card. Stevenson also added another win on the training side.
When live harness racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Sunday (Oct. 20), the $1.8 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes will resume with the two-year-olds competing in five divisions. The first is a non-betting event with a post time of 1:30 p.m. The other four races are on the regular betting card which starts at 2:00 p.m. This is the third leg of the series which culminates with eight $100,000 finals on Monday (Oct. 28) at The Ridge.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)