Coming off a series of solid efforts that resulted in board hits, Perron got back to the Plainridge Park winner’s circle on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 20) with a strong front-stepping effort in the featured $17,500 conditioned trot.
Bruce Ranger floated Perron from post 5 and never took the lead from Captain Blues until after the :28.1 quarter. After crossing over in front of the grandstand, Perron then set soft, back-to-back :29.3 and :29 fractions and never felt any pressure until the top of the stretch. There, the field fanned five across the track behind him and all were closing ground. But the wire came before the competition and Perron hung on to a one length win in 1:57.4.
It was the fourth victory of the year for Perron, whose stakes-laden career earnings have now risen to $396,459. Steve Stewart, David Wright, Black Creek Farm and Victor Wagler own the Michael Mancini-trained gelding. He paid $3.60 to win.
The fastest trot of the day was the last race where Milfords Z Tam went gate to wire and won the $15,000 event wrapped-up by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:55.4 for driver Brett Beckwith. Owned by William Hartt and trained by Melissa Beckwith, Milfords Z Tam claimed his 30th win and pushed his career earnings over a half million, now standing at $503,171. He paid $14 to win.
Both Ranger and Beckwith each had two driving wins on Thursday while 10 different trainers each won one race apiece.
Eight $125,000 finals of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes will be held at Plainridge Park during “Million Dollar Monday” on Oct. 24 with post time at 2 p.m. (EDT). For fans attending live for those finals, there will also be a free $5,000 Survivor handicapping contest sponsored by the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts and Plainridge Park. Full details will be announced on Friday.
When live racing resumes at Plainridge Park at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 23), there will be a large carryover of $10,676 in the sixth race Jackpot Wicked Hi-5.
(Plainridge Park)