It took one start to get tight after being off since mid-August but Starznheaven displayed he is back in form once again after winning the $16,000 Winners-Over pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Monday, Oct. 29.
The method and execution for accomplishment was clear from the start for Starznheaven, who shot right to the lead and never looked back. After backing the half down to :56.3, Major Leaguer and Calvin B came calling outside but Starznheaven turned a deaf ear. He opened up a two-length lead to the three-quarters, extended it around the last turn and smoked away down the lane to a four-length margin of victory in 1:51.3.
Starznheaven, driven by Shawn Gray, now has 12 wins this year and a hefty $123,375 in the bank accounts of owners Burke Racing Stable and Donald Emond.
Driver Shawn Gray was stellar himself, winning four races during the Monday matinee. Besides the already mentioned Starznheaven, he also had pictures taken with Modern Yankee (1:56.2, $3.60), Beachchip Hanover (1:54.2, $9.20) and Saulsbrook Deputy (1:53, $5.00).
The $800,000 finals of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes (MASS) will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Plainridge Park. Eight $100,000 divisions will go postward starting at 1:30 p.m. when the first of two non-betting events will start. The regular pari-mutuel program begins at 2 p.m. and features six more MASS contests that are carded as race one through six.
The richest Standardbred in the history of the sport, the $7.59-million winner Foiled Again, will also make a farewell tour stop at Plainridge on Tuesday as part of the biggest day of harness racing in Massachusetts this year. Foiled Again will not compete in a race but will go a training mile in front of the crowd, lead several post parades and greet his fans in the winner’s circle for pictures.
Also the patrons on hand will be part of a gift card giveaway after every stake race throughout the day that is sponsored by the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts.
(Plainridge Park)