The second leg of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes for freshman state-breds was held at Plainridge Park on Monday with five divisions vying for $159,736 in purse money.
Among the solid efforts put in by all the winners, Victorias Maverick and Just Enuf Sass took center stage and both replaced standing stake and track records in their divisions while setting new personal bests in the process. And despite cool temperatures and a persistent drizzle, all told there were two track records , three stake records and four lifetime marks set in the series races.
$20,118 two-year-old colt and gelding pace
Winner: Victorias Maverick (Western Maverick-Perfect Launch) 1:54.4
Owners: Leighton Property and Bruce Plouffe
Trainer: Valerie Grondin
Breeder: Lynn-Marie Plouffe
Mutuel: $2.40
If this were a fight it would have been “no mas” for the rest of the field as Victorias Maverick (Heath Campbell) continues to dominate this division. After leading through fractions of :27.4, :56.4 and 1:26.1, Victorias Maverick opened up a three-length advantage immediately past the three-quarters and with Campbell sitting statuesque, continued to open up lengths and eventually finding himself on top by seven at the wire in 1:54.4.
The time was a new lifetime mark for Victorias Maverick and also a new MASS and Plainridge Park track record for two-year-old pacing geldings.
$41,000 two-year-old filly trot
Winner: Just Enuf Sass (Boy Band-Sassys Child) 1:57.1
Owners: Joseph Flynn, Edward Flynn
Trainer: Joseph Flynn
Breeder: Lynn-Marie Plouffe
Mutuel: $20.60
Just Enuf Sass (Mike Stevenson) got away second behind Mother Theresa (Patrizio Ancora) and sat there while the race moved to the half in :58.1. There, an outer flow came led by Crystalline (Shawn Gray) who quickly drew alongside the leader. At the three-quarters they were two in and two out with Just Enuf Sass locked in fourth at the pylons. They stayed this way around the last turn when Crystalline pulled away to a two-length lead and looked like the deal was done. However Just Enuf Sass was finally able to extract herself from the box and moved into the center of the racetrack and with only one tap from Stevenson, trotted her hips off down the lane to win by a length in 1:57.1.
The time of 1:57.1 was a new lifetime mark for Just Enuf Sass and also a new MASS and Plainridge Park track record for two-year-old trotting fillies.
$38,700 two-year-old filly pace
Winner: Karans Choice (Sportswriter-Denverlove) 1:57.2
Owner: Al Ross
Trainer: Jim Hardy
Breeder: Al Ross
Mutuel: NB
After letting A Gal Named Harry (Todd O’Dea) lead the field to the quarter, Jim Hardy pulled Karans Choice from the pocket to take control before the half and eventually pulled away to a dominant victory. After hitting the three-quarters in 1:27.1 with no challengers in sight, Karans Choice paced home with an eight-length lead under the wire in 1:57.2, tying his lifetime mark.
$20,118 two-year-old colt and gelding pace
Winner: CBF Bantam (Baron Biltmore-Cohenucopia) 1:55.3
Owners: Glenn Harris, Marion Phelps
Trainer: David Crochere
Breeder: Glenn Harris, Marion Phelps
Mutuel: $3.00
It took almost three-eighths of a mile after getting the cold shoulder from Cyalatabi (Ron Cushing), but CBF Bantam (Shawn Gray) finally got the front as the race passed the stands for the first time. After a very short respite once passing the half in :57.2, CBF Bantam was challenged again, this time by Littlebitshady (Ivan Davies). From the three-quarters on, CBF Bantam and Littlebitshady hooked up in an epic battle. Pacing side-by-side with both drivers loose-lining and rocking, little separated CBF Bantam and Littlebitshady all the way to the wire until CBF Bantam got his head in front to stop the clock in 1:55.3.
The time of 1:55.3 was a new lifetime mark for CBF Bantam and since this race was contested prior to Victoria’s Maverick’s win, it broke the standing MASS stake record for the first time on Monday.
$39,800 two-year-old colt and gelding trot
Winner: Simple Kaos (RC Royalty-Ksenia) 1:56.4
Owners: George Ducharme Stable and Michelle Larson
Trainer: George Ducharme
Breeder: Michelle Larson
Mutuel: $3.60
Simple Kaos (Jimmy Whittemore) sat chill in fourth while three horses argued for the lead. Once that dust settled, Whittemore pulled off the turn and gained the front as the race entered the second turn. From the halfway point home, Whittemore line-drove Simple Kaos whose victory never looked in doubt. Past the three-quarters in 1:26.4, Simple Kaos was on cruise control and trotted home without opposition and well within himself, crossing the wire up by four in 1:56.4.
The MASS continues at Plainridge Park on Tuesday when the three-year-olds get together for their second leg. Five divisions will compete for $162,300 in total purses as they try to make the final with one more leg to come.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)