The third leg of Plainridge Park’s two-year-old late closer series for both gaits highlighted the action on Labour Day Monday afternoon with big performances put in by both winners.
The $15,000 Wood End Light Open for two-year-old trotters was won by the Massachusetts-bred Simple Kaos (RC Royalty-Ksenia) who got away third initially before taking a commanding three-length lead by the half. Driver Jimmy Whittemore let out the lines and allowed his charge to ramble on to a six-length advantage by the 1:26.3 three-quarters before cruising home to a 10-length margin of victory in 1:56.
It was the first lifetime win for Simple Kaos ($4.20) who is owned by Michelle Larson and George Ducharme, who also trains the winner.
The $15,000 Nauset Light Open for two-year-old pacers went to Elektra King (Rockin Image-Easy Miss) who led from gate to wire, fending off a challenge from Dancin Yin (Wally Watson) from the half past the three-quarters and then outpacing Bangor (Jimmy Whittemore) to the wire under heavy urging from driver Steve Smith to hang on and win by a neck in 1:56.3.
Elektra King ($16.00) got her second lifetime win and a new lifetime mark for owner Mark Schullstrom and trainer Dawn Anderson.
The final for both of these series will be held on Monday (Sept. 17) with a purse of $20,000 each.
In the overnight featured $12,000 conditioned event, Moonlight Artist (Shawn Gray) blazed a trail down the road, leading every step of the way in a four-length victory in 1:51.4. Scoring his seventh win of the year, Moonlight Artist ($4.20) now has earned $55,456 for owner Andrew Adamczyk this year. Jaymes McAssey trains the winner.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday at the new earlier post time of 2 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)