Biggie lived up to his name, charging late from off the pace to capture the $14,000 conditioned pacing feature in impressive style at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon.
Biggie (Greg Merton) left from post six and dropped in third while American Rock (Jim Hardy) went up front to cut the mile. The leader dictated early fractions of :27 and :57 when Lews Maverick (Mike Eaton) and Warrawee Nonsuch (Michael Stevenson) came knocking in the outer flow. That challenge was short-lived as both horses faded past the five-eighths, leaving the leaders to decide the winner.
With American Rock still in control around the far turn, pocket-sitting Allstar Energy (Mark Beckwith) pulled at the head of the lane to try his luck. But Biggie, sitting behind him in third, tipped three deep with a head of steam and wasn’t to be denied. With Merton active in the sulky, Biggie out-muscled his competition and paced away to a length victory in 1:52.2.
Biggie ($7.60) scored his sixth win of the year and now boasts $40,135 in winnings for his efforts. Michael Huff owns the four-year-old altered son of Somebeachsomewhere who is trained by Scott Rollins.
In the co-featured $12,000 conditioned pace, Talldarknhandsome (Greg Merton) pulled first-over before the half and won a heavy-weight fight with Modern Yankee (Chris Long) around the last turn to win by two in 1:52.4. It was the 12th win of the year for Talldarknhandsome ($4.80) and 55th lifetime in only 198 starts. The Jackie Rousse Stable LLC and Steven Greene own Talldarknhandsome who is trained by Jackie Greene.
Mark Beckwith scored three winners on Monday while Shawn Gray and Greg Merton each drove two. Trainer Elisha Lafreniere watched as three of her students entered the winner’s enclosure.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday with post time at 4 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)