Nick Graffam had a big day at Plainridge Park on Monday capturing the top two trots on the card with both horses paying premium prices and both winning in handy fashion.
In the $14,000 Winners-Over trot, Graffam left from post five with Shorething Fashion and took the lead before Osprey Impact (Mike Stevenson), who was motoring up the outside, grabbed the front passing the quarter in a quick :26.2. Positions remained the same until Zorgwijk Nova (Mitchell Cushing) came calling on the outside and eventually took command past three-quarters.
Now locked in around the last turn, Shorething Fashion was able to get out and around the fading Osprey Impact and eventually made his way back to the pylons by the top of the stretch. Graffam ducked inside Zorgwijk Nova, blew up the one-path and held off a late charge by Jericho (Joe Di Stefano) to win under a hand drive in 1:56.
It was the second win in a row and fourth in the last five starts for Shorething Fashion ($16.00) who is owned by Bob McHugh and Mike Eaton, who also trains the winner.
Then in the $12,000 conditioned event for non-winners of the six-year-old and under group, Graffam took no prisoners with Noble Yaz as he went down the road and led at every station en route to a wrapped-up, three-length victory in 1:56.4, which was a new seasonal mark.
After going nine for 19 in the money, Noble Yaz ($17.80) got his first win of the year for owners Christopher Hamilton, Nick Graffam and Mike Graffam, who also does the training.
Graffam currently sits in sixth place in the dash driving competition at Plainridge Park with 57 wins. For the year Graffam has 88 wins, 128 seconds and 118 thirds overall with $680,423 in purses earned.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday at 2 p.m. The Massachusetts Sire Stakes kick off the 2018 season on Monday with four divisions of two-year-old trotters and pacers each going for an estimated $25,000. Post time for Monday is also 2 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)