Although not having won in the past several weeks, Jackson Cooper has been competitive in the top class at Plainridge Park. But he was still let go at 58-1 on Thursday, Sept. 10, and the overlooked four-year-old delivered the big upset in the $34,722 Open Handicap Pace at The Ridge.
Nick Graffam floated Jackson Cooper off the gate from post seven as Soho Spectre A (Brett Beckwith) out-duelled Wild Bill Wyatt (Mike Oosting) for the lead heading to the :26.3 quarter. But as soon as Soho Spectre A crossed over, Jackson Cooper rushed to the front and then never looked back. After getting to the half in :54.4 and then sprinting to three-quarters in 1:21.4, Jackson Cooper took a one-length lead into the last turn and maintained it to the top of the stretch. The pocketed Soho Spectre A started gaining ground inside while Still Rollin N (Matty Athearn) was flying fast in the middle of the track. All three hit the line in close quarters, but it was Jackson Cooper who hung on by a head and won in 1:50.2. Soho Spectre A hung on for place over Still Rollin N.
Jackson Cooper ($119.40), who holds the track record (1:49.3) for three-year-old pacing geldings that he set last year, is owned by Jesmeral Stable and trained by Matty Medeiros. The four-year-old son of Captaintreacherous-Hidden Land is now 11-for-47 lifetime.
There was also a $34,722 Open Handicap Trot on the card, and the lone mare, the Massachusetts-bred Corner Store, beat up on a field of boys for the third time this year.
Corner Store (Mike Oosting) got away third as Spaaaanzano (Bruce Ranger) took the lead from Heavens Pic (Nick Graffam) past the :27.1 quarter. Corner Store was quickly out and rolling to gain the top spot before the half in :55. From there, Corner Store was on a mission as she opened up a three-length advantage at three-quarters in 1:23.1, where Pepper Wow (Mitchell Cushing) moved into contention third and was gaining. Spaaaanzano and Pepper Wow closed through the lane, but both came up a length short as Corner Store closed it out in 1:52.3. Pepper Wow nipped Spaaaanzano for place.
Corner Store ($4.40), who set the 1:51.3 track and stakes record for three-year-old filly trotters in the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes last year, is owned by Paul Kelley Racing Stable, Matthew Lamont, Ellen Palillo and Nancy Bauer. Paul Kelley trains the Six Pack-Seven Eleven mare, who now has 11 wins from 28 career outings.
There was also one $20,833 Romper Room trot for two-year-old Massachusetts-breds who are eligible for the $3.2 million USD (est.) Massachusetts Breeders Stakes, which starts on Monday, Sept. 28. That race was won by I Like Green (Greenshoe-Royal Lady), who went to the front past the quarter and then led the rest of the way en route to a new lifetime mark of 1:58 for trainer-driver John Beckwith. I Like Green ($2.60) is owned by Gary Mahany.
Drivers Matty Athearn, Brett Beckwith and Mike Oosting all had two wins while 11 different trainers each won once.
Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday at 2 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)