Trainer Domenico Cecere and driver Bruce Ranger put on quite a show at Plainridge Park on Thursday, Sept. 9.
Horses from the Cecere barn won four races on Thursday, with Ranger guiding each one to victory. Their big win came in the $33,784 Open Handicap trot with Marquis Lafayette, who pulled at the half with cover from Sidd Finch (Drew Campbell) in pursuit of the frontrunning Breckenridge (Mitchell Cushing). Sidd Finch cleared the lead at three-quarters as Marquis Lafayette still hung in the breeze and, two lengths behind at the top of the stretch. However Ranger got Marquis Lafayette in gear and he trotted up a storm down the lane and caught Sidd Finch at the light by a head in 1:53, tying his seasonal mark.
It was the third win of the year for Marquis Lafayette ($4.60) for owner Greathorse.
Ranger and Cecere also won with Murial (1:58.3, $2.60), Treatyofversaille (1:56.2, $3.00) and Intl Blockade (1:55.4, $2.60). All three winners are owned by Lindy Farms of Connecticut.
Ranger also won the last race of the day with Tobasco (1:56.3, $23.20) giving himself a five-bagger for the afternoon.
In the $27,703 upper-level conditioned trot, Cruising Tom (Matty Athearn) notched a new lifetime mark after he took the lead past the quarter and out-dueled Malibu Kid (Brett Beckwith) from the half to the top of the stretch where he simply trotted away from the competition by 2-3/4 lengths and won in 1:53.3.
It was the second win in the last three starts and fifth win of the year for Cruising Tom ($8.20) who is owned by Rick Cortese and Marc Reynolds. Jimmy Nickerson trains the winner.
Athearn and Nickerson doubled together after Topville Swift Dan ($10.40) was victorious in 2:27 in the first 1-1/4 mile trot held at The Ridge this year. Athearn ended the day with a hat trick.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (Sept. 9) at 2 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)