After three consecutive second place finishes in the top class, Marquis Lafayette finally got across the line to win the $34,722 Open Handicap Trot at Plainridge Park on Thursday, Sept. 18.
Marquis Lafayette (Bruce Ranger) got away seventh as A New Leader (Mitchell Cushing) took the early lead. A New Leader was then overtaken by Platinum As (Brett Beckwith) as they passed the quarter in :27.1 but was not content and came right back out to replace Platinum As on the point as they trotted by the stands.
Positions remained unchanged as the race moved to the half in :56.1 until Sea Can (Nick Graffam) pulled first-over and had Marquis Lafayette following him. Sea Can made his way to third at three-quarters in 1:24.2 before stalling on the turn, forcing Marquis Lafayette to tip three-deep at the apex of the bend. A New Leader took a two-length lead into the stretch, where Platinum As pulled and tried to catch up. But it was Marquis Lafayette who was rolling down the lane like a freight train and blew by both to win by a half-length in 1:53.1. Platinum As was second over A New Leader.
The win was the first in eight 2025 starts for Marquis Lafayette ($6.40), who is owned by Greathorse and trained by Domenico Cecere. The eight-year-old Ready Cash-Highscore Kemp gelding has amassed 25 wins and $451,469 in earnings in 80 starts.
Driver Matty “Ice” Athearn had a big afternoon at The Ridge, scoring a grand slam in the bike that included a natural hat trick in Races 6-8. The eighth race was the sub-featured $27,778 conditioned pace for fillies and mares, and Athearn oversaw a big effort from Seaside Tina, who went gate-to-wire quite handily. Athearn put Seaside Tina right on the point to the quarter in :26.4. With a two-length advantage, Seaside Tina then got to the half in :55.3 and three-quarters in 1:23.4 with no serious challenges from behind. Seaside Tina continued at a steady pace as a wall of horses started to stack up behind her in the turn. But when they straightened for home, nobody had any answers for Seaside Tina, who cruised to the wire under a high line to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:52.4. Beantown Deuce (Beckwith) was second over the closing Checkpoint Chatter (James Hardy).
Seaside Tina ($3.80) is owned by her trainer, Mark Eaton, in partnership with Robert Griffin. The win was the 16th in 79 career starts for the five-year-old Downbytheseaside-Posey Tina mare, who has now earned $380,457.
Athearn’s other three winners were Bravado (1:55.3, $9.80), Always B Best (1:53.2, $2.80), and Just Roxy (1:56, $9.80).
Gretchen Athearn and Jolene Andrews both scored two wins on Thursday to lead all other trainers during the afternoon.
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday, Sept. 22 at 1:45 p.m. with a $6,776 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 wager in the sixth race.
(Plainridge Park)