Ayeaye Captain Deo remained undefeated in 2025 after getting up late to win the $138,889 Paul Revere Pace for three-year-olds at Plainridge Park on Thursday, May 1.
Dune Buggy (Tim Tetrick) and Waterfront (Jason Bartlett) traded leads off the gate before Primo Maschio (Walter Case Jr.) took the front passing the :26.2 quarter. But that lead was short lived as Dune Buggy was back out and motoring in front of the stands to take the point, where he stayed until very late in the race.
As the pack paced past the half in :54.1, Todd McCarthy pulled Ayeaye Captain Deo first-over from fourth in pursuit of Dune Buggy, who was still in command and looking strong. Ayeaye Captain Deo finally drew alongside Dune Buggy as they went by three-quarters in 1:22.1 and the pair pulled away from the field in the last turn while matching strides all the way. This match race continued into the straight and into deep stretch where Ayeaye Captain Deo edged ahead of Dune Buggy by one-half length to win in 1:50.4.
The time was a lifetime best for the winner and only one-fifth of a second off the stakes record.
Ayeaye Captain Deo (Captaintreacherous-Oceania) is now two-for-two this year for Ontario-based connections, trainer Garry Merner Jr. and owner Gino Toscani of Mount Hope. He returned $6.11 to win.
The next Grand Circuit stop at Plainridge will be in two weeks, on Thursday, May 15, when the $100,000 USD Grade 3 Battle of Bunker Hill for three-year-old trotters will take place.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday, May 5 at 4 p.m., when there will be a $7,456 carryover available in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in race six.
(Plainridge Park)