The second leg of the $1.8 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes (MASS) got underway on Sunday (Oct. 6) at Plainridge Park with the second-year class competing in four divisions.
Sophomore trotting filly Crystalline (Chapter Seven-Royalty Free) stole the show as she set a stake record for her group in her $38,500 contest.
Crystalline (Shawn Gray) got away fourth and watched as Evs Girl flew to the quarter in :27.4. Gray pulled Crystalline, sent the 2-5 favourite, past that station and rushed to the front midway through the second turn. The field bunched on the backside with Mother Teresa coming first over with Just Dreamin behind her and Evs Girl on the pylons just a length off.
After they hit the three-quarters in 1:26, Crystalline opened a length lead over the competition continued to extend the gap rounding the last turn. Heading down the stretch driver Shawn Gray was merely a passenger as Crystalline cruised to a three-and-three-quarter length win in 1:55.4.
The time was a lifetime mark for Crystalline and it also broke the MASS stake record of 1:56.1 that was set by this filly just last week.
It was the second-straight MASS win and sixth win of the year for Crystalline ($2.80) who has now earned $74,575 for owner Ray Campbell Jr., who also bred the filly. George Ducharme trains the winner.
There were no surprises in the three other divisions either as the favored horses finished on top.
MASS $39,200 trot for three-year-old colts and geldings
Driver Jimmy Whittemore left strongly from post 6 with Simple Kaos (RC Royalty-Ksenia) and then had his way with the field. He cut fractions of :28, :57.1 and 1:26.3 while Jake Gs Champion, The Fixer and RFLs Lord Command tried to mount an assault. But Simple Kaos was just too good and pulled away in the lane to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:56.4.
After scoring his second win of the stake, Simple Kaos ($3.20) has now earned $56,820 this year for owners the George Ducharme Stable and Michelle Larson. Ducharme trains the gelding that was bred by Larson.
MASS $39,200 pace for three-year-old colts and geldings
Sent off at 1-9, CBF Bantam (Baron Biltmore-Cohenucopia) settled fifth while Levi took the field to the quarter in :28. Driver Shawn Gray then pulled CBF Bantam and took the lead while passing the stands before the half.
The pace increased up the backside and so did the heat as Victorias Maverick came calling during a :28.4 third quarter and got within a length of the leader around the far turn. The race headed into the stretch with Victorias Maverick and Levi both in hot pursuit and gaining ground, but CBF Bantam would not relent and won by a half length in 1:55.1.
CBF Bantam ($2.10) remains perfect in the MASS this year and has pushed his earnings to $79,223 as a result for owners Glenn Harris and Marion Phelps, who also bred the gelding. David Crochere trains the winner.
MASS $37,800 pace for three-year-old fillies
The lone non-betting event of the day saw driver Jim Hardy push Karans Choice (Sportswriter-Denverlove) off the gate to take an early lead. He then stacked the field by backing off the half to 1:00.1 and then let Karans Choice sprint home in back to back quarters of :28.3 and :28.1 to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:57 flat.
Karans Choice is now two for two in MASS action and has banked $60,724 for owner Al Ross, who also bred the filly. Driver Jim Hardy also trains Karans Choice.
The second leg of the MASS for all two-year-old performers will be held at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Oct. 7). There is one non-betting race with a post time of 1:30 p.m. and then four more events carded as race one through four on the regular pari-mutuel program. Post time for the first race is 2 p.m.
(Plainridge Park)