Wet weather and an off track engulfed Plainridge Park for a second straight day as the Massachusetts Sire Stakes three-year-olds made their first start of the 2018 season in five divisions pursuing of the available purses totalling $163,840 on Tuesday afternoon.
Owner Ray Campbell, Jr., trainer George Ducharme and driver Shawn Gray teamed up to win two of the five MASS races while three of last year’s two-year-old champions, Hashtagmadeyalook, Delco Dusty and Im A Clown, made their bid to repeat as the best at three with wins in their first leg outings today.
$41,450 three-year-old colt and gelding trot
Winner: Hashtagmadeyalook (Chapter Seven-Royalty Free) 1:58.1
Owner: Ray Campbell, Jr.
Trainer: George Ducharme
Breeder: Ray Campbell, Jr.
Mutuel: $6.00
Kinda Lucky Lindy (Greg Merton) drifted outside at the start of the race before moving up to take the lead by the quarter in :29.2. Merton then backed the half off to a minute with no one pushing the issue. It wasn’t until the five-eighths pole that Hashtagmadeyalook (Shawn Gray) pulled from third and trotted alongside the leader before heading into the last turn where it became a full blown match race. The top two pulled away from the field; Kinda Lucky Lindy on the pylons and Hashtagmadeyalook on the outside. They went stride for stride, side by side all the way to the wire and it took a photo to show Hashtagmadeyalook winning by a nose in 1:58.1.
It was the fourth win in 10 starts this year for Hashtagmadeyalook who now has earned $50,540 in purses.
$39,000 three-year-old filly trot
Winner: Ithinkthatsmine (RC Royalty-Super Starlet) 1:59.4
Owner: Ray Campbell, Jr.
Trainer: George Ducharme
Breeder: Ray Campbell, Jr.
After two starters made breaks off the gate in the already short field, Ithinkthatsmine (Shawn Gray) found herself on top by four lengths at the quarter. From there she led stablemate Bag O Chips (Steve Smith) for the remainder of the mile until the top of the stretch when she pulled away by herself and won by six-lengths in 1:59.4.
Ithinkthatsmine now has seven wins this year and earnings of $72,230.
$40,800 three-year-old filly pace
Winner: Delco Dusty (Jeremes Jet-Gypsys Good Girl) 1:54.1
Owner: Jesse De Long
Trainer: Jimmy Nickerson
Breeder: Jesse De Long
Mutuel: $7.20
Delco Dusty (Shawn Gray) went for the front and cruised there unchallenged to the half in :57.1. At that station Rock Me Threetimes (Mitchell Cushing) pulled from third, advanced towards the leader and drew almost even with her at the three-quarter pole. But Delco Dusty responded by pacing away to a two length lead, forcing Rock Me Threetimes to go back to the pylons. Cushing never gave up on the filly and Rock Me Threetimes came on again in deep stretch under heavy urging but Delco Dusty was under a hand drive by Gray and won by a length in 1:54.1.
The win time tied Delco Dusty’s seasonal mark and her second win in eight starts pushed her earnings to $31,118.
$21,295 three-year-old colt and gelding pace
Winner: Im A Clown (Im Gorgeous-Lordy Miss Scarlet) 1:54.1
Owner: Nelson Malin III
Trainer: Kevin Switzer
Breeders: KDK Standardbreds and Nelson Malin III
Mutuel: $2.20
Going off at 1-9 it was no surprise that Im A Clown (Mitchell Cushing) went to the front and was intent on dictating this race. After getting to the half in :57.4 with everyone single file behind, Im A Clown turned it on the final two quarters posting a :56.3 back half and cruising home with a six length lead to win in 1:54.1.
It was the first win of the year for Im A Clown and the time was also a new lifetime mark for the winner.
$21,295 three-year-old colt and gelding pace
Winner: Pembroke Pharoah (Baron Biltmore-Migraine) 1:54.1
Owners: William Varney and Heath Campbell
Trainer: Valerie Grondin
Breeders: William Varney and Valerie Grondin
Mutuel: $2.40
Twelve (Eddie Davis, Jr.) took early command and opened up a three length advantage going around the first turn. However with Latent Print (Scott Renz) gapping in second, Pembroke Pharoah (Heath Campbell) was rousted from third and eventually made his way to the lead in front of the stands before the half. It was pretty much over at that point as Pembroke Pharoah was pacing well in hand up the backside, past the three-quarters and around the final turn. At the top of the stretch with Campbell sitting chilly, Pembroke Pharoah won at will by three lengths in 1:54.1.
Pembroke Pharoah captured a new lifetime mark in winning his sixth win of the year and has now banked $51,575 in purses for 2018.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)