Race Secretary Paul Verrette introduced a new Open pacing class at Plainridge Park this week for four- and five-year-old horses and geldings that were bred in Massachusetts.
The draw produced a field of seven former Massachusetts Sire Stake performers that went to post for the first $20,000 contest and Wyatt J claimed that victory on Thursday (May 27).
Wyatt J (Ron Cushing) got away last as Han Solo (Shawn Gray) wrangled the lead from Finnbar (Bruce Ranger) by the quarter in :27.4 before proceeding to the half in :56.2 unchallenged. Moving up the backside, an outer flow drew closer led by Stihl N (Matty Athearn) who was followed by Wyatt J.
With the group now four in and three out at three-quarters, Stihl N paced alongside Han Solo around the last turn and into the stretch. That's where Wyatt J tipped three-deep off cover and started to do his best work. Under highly animated urging from Cushing, Wyatt J continued to build momentum and eventually steamrolled down the lane. He passed everyone in the stretch and barrelled through the wire on top by 1-1/4 lengths to win in 1:52.3.
Wyatt J ($10.60), who took a lifetime mark of 1:50.4 at the Meadowlands this past February, was the three-year-old male pacing champion of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes in 2020 going undefeated in that series. His win on Thursday was the second of the year and 10th lifetime, pushing his career earnings to $152,953. The now four-year-old gelded son of American Ideal-Think Pink is owned by the Kellogg Racing Stable and Jackie Greene, who also trains the winner.
In the $15,000 condition race for six-year-old and younger male pacers, General Ward (Bruce Ranger) bounced back from an untimely break last week to go gate to wire and win by 1-3/4 lengths to claim his second win in the last three starts. General Ward ($5.40) paced in 1:52 for owner/trainer Melissa Beckwith.
Then in the companion $15,000 condition race for six-year-old and younger distaff pacers, Chasethecloudsaway (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) followed cover most of the mile until the stretch where she tipped and outpaced the competition to the wire by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:52.4, which was a new lifetime mark. It was the fourth win of the year for Chasethecloudsaway ($3.80) and owner David Del Pozzo. Chris Petrelli trains the winner.
Bruce Ranger led all drivers on Monday with three winners.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday (May 28) with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)