Massachusetts-bred Standardbreds have come a long way since the introduction of the state’s Race Horse Develop Fund and evidence of that was clearly on display once again at Plainridge Park on Monday (Sept. 16) when nine of the 11 races on the card were won by a trotter or pacer that was bred in Massachusetts.
Four of those nine winners will be racing in this year’s edition of the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes that gets underway later this month on Monday (Sept. 23) and the efforts of three of those four were definitely newsworthy.
In the featured $21,622 conditioned pace, three-year-old pacer Bang Ah Uey (Western Maverick-Caila Fra) sat fourth for most of the race until driver Jimmy Hardy shook him loose in the stretch and closed sharply to win by a neck in 1:53.1. The triumph was the fifth win of the year for Bang Ah Uey ($6.40) who is owned by his driver Hardy, in partnership with David Thibault and Paul Vacca. Jolene Andrews trains the winner.
Earlier in the card, a pair of two-year-old male pacers set and tied a pair of track records as a result of their victories.
Jon I Love Dat (Downbytheseaside-Franney Love Dat) led at every point of the mile for driver Chuck Connor Jr. and then blasted home on top by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:52.1. The time was a new lifetime mark for the winner and it also established a new track record for two-year-old pacing colts. Jon I Love Dat ($11.60) is owned by Robert Lovett and trained by his driver Conner.
Seafood Star (Huntsville-Shesgotthebeat) also led from gate to wire and won by a nose over Concealed (Drew Monti) in 1:53.1. The time was a lifetime best for the winner, but it also tied the track record for two-year-old pacing geldings. Seafood Star ($5.00) is owned by the Seafood Delight Stable and trained by Nicholas Vamvilis.
Matty Athearn, Jim Hardy, Bruce Ranger and Wally Watson all had two driving wins on Monday while trainer Lisa Watson had two winners as well.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Sept. 17) at 2 p.m. and there will be a $1,219 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in race six.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)