Driver Bruce Ranger and trainer Domenico Cecere put on a clinic in their respective positions as they both set performance records at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (July 17).
Ranger drove seven winners, matching a Plainridge record only done three times before by himself, Greg Merton and Greg Bowden. But those previous records were all on 14-race cards at Plainridge. Monday was the first time a driver has ever done it on an 11-race program.
Ranger had a total of nine starts on Monday and also finished third one time, and that gave him an astounding .815 UDR for the day.
Cecere had a total of five starters from his stable who all won, and that is a Plainridge record for wins by a trainer on any length card. Cecere also posted a perfect .1000 UTR for his efforts. Five of Ranger’s wins were trained by Cecere.
Their tag team triumphs started with a natural hat trick in races one, two and three with Milliondollarwall (1:55, $6.20), Hush Moni (1:56.4, $6.40) and Moni Lisa (1:54.4, $2.40). They finished off their quality quintet with The Wise One (1:55.2, $4) and Sonnys Moni (1:54.2, $3).
Ranger then went on to win two more races with Jericho (1:56.1, $3.60) for trainer Robert Kenney and Delayed Hanover (1:52.2, $2.80) for trainer Kevin McDermott.
Delayed Hanover got away sixth and watched as Angel Nation (Brett Beckwith) and Inaminute Hanover (Jay Randall) traded leads to the :27 quarter. Inaminute Hanover eventually set up shop in front of the stands and led to three-quarters in 1:23.4 as Delayed Hanover made his way to second at that station from a first-over rush. The pair of Hanover trotters then matched strides within one-half length of each other around the last turn and into the homestretch. Under Ranger urging, Delayed Hanover forged ahead halfway down the lane and won by one length in 1:52.2.
The win was the fourth of the year for Delayed Hanover, who is owned by Reid Wissner.
As previously mentioned, Plainridge Park will host the Grand Circuit on Sunday, July 23 when the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot and $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace will be held. Post time for that feature packed card of racing and entertainment is set for 2 p.m.
In the meantime, live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, July 18 at 4 p.m. and there will be a $10,307 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)