The final day of live harness racing at Plainridge Park for 2024 was on Friday, Nov. 29 and a pair of $34,722 features headlined the getaway card of a very successful and record-breaking season.
The top trot went to Marquis Lafayette, who true to style, came from behind to claim victory for trainer/driver Domenico Cecere.
Marquis Lafayette got away sixth as his favoured stablemate Sforza (Bruce Ranger) led the field to the quarter in :27 flat. Sforza then passed in front of the stands but then made a break before the :57 half, leaving the pocket-sitting Snowpiercer (Brett Beckwith) to take control of the race. Snowpiercer quickly buzzed a :28.3 third panel under duress from Sea Can (Nick Graffam) and Big Box Hanover (Matty Athearn), and also Marquis Lafayette, who was moving second-over in the breeze before tipping three-wide at three-quarters.
After coming off the turn, Snowpiercer took a length advantage into the lane, but Big Box Hanover was bearing down and Marquis Lafayette was marching smartly in the middle of the track. As they drew near the wire, Snowpiercer faded just a bit and Marquis Lafayette edged out Big Box Hanover at the line to win by a neck in 1:55.3.
The win was the fifth of the year in 16 starts for Marquis Lafayette, a seven-year-old Ready Cash-Highscore Kemp gelding owned by Greathorse. Sent off as the 4-1 second choice, he paid $10.40 to win.
Marquis Lafayette kicked off a natural training hat trick through races seven, eight and nine for Cecere.
Later in the distaff pacing feature, Swedish Starlet N and driver Matty Athearn made every post a winning one to capture the meet’s final event of the year.
Swedish Starlet N left strong, took the lead ahead of Seaside Tina (Kevin Switzer Jr.) and then set early fractions of :27.1 and :57. At the half, Quarrel (Bruce Ranger) made a first-over move and closed to within a length of the leader at the 1:25.2 third quarter mark, where Side Piece (Aaron Byron) moved second-over and favourite Arizona (Brett Beckwith) had swung three-deep.
With the field well bunched around the final bend, Swedish Starlet N continued to dig and held her length advantage as they entered the stretch. Quarrel continued to drive outside and Seaside Tina was closing in along the pegs. But Swedish Starlet N was not to be denied as she won by a half length in 1:53.3 over Side Piece with Quarrel third.
The win was the ninth win of the meet and 13th win overall this year from 37 starts for Swedish Starlet N, who has earned more than quarter of a million dollars in 2024 for owners Tim Bojarski and Tony Gruppo. Jimmy Nickerson trains the seven-year-old Mach Three-Top Of The Pile mare. Swedish Starlet N paid $4.80 to win as the second choice.
Racing will resume at Plainridge Park in April of 2025. Track management, staff, horsemen and horsewomen would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)