Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts

11/04/2025

Massachusetts Breeders Stake sustaining payments due April 15

Owners and trainers of horses eligible to the Massachusetts Breeders Stake should take note that the 2025 sustaining payments for all 2- and 3-year-old contenders are due by Tuesday (April 15).

The 2-year-old payment is $200 and the 3-year-old payment is $300. If there has been a change of name or ownership, please submit a copy of the registration certificate at the same time.

The necessary form for this payment is available for download at sominc.net under the “forms” tab.

While on that page, it may also be a good time for you to download and submit the 2025 yearling nomination form, which will be due next month on Thursday (May 15).

Foals of 2024 from a resident mare registered with Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts, Inc. and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources are eligible for registration to the Massachusetts Breeding Program.

Yearling registration requires a copy of the USTA registration certificate and the fee of $25. Late registration will be accepted until Dec. 31. Late registration requires a copy of the USTA registration certificate and the May 15 fee of $25, plus a $500 late fee.

Promote the business of Standardbred horse breeding and racing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in order to improve the Standardbred race horse.

08/11/2024

Paul A. V***a, 89, dies

Paul A. V***a, 89, of Norton, Massachusetts, passed away on November 5th, 2024.

Born in Brockton, Massachusetts in 1935, Mr. V***a was the son of the late Anthony and Frances (Desmond) V***a. He graduated from Brockton High School in 1953 and went on to serve in the United States Army.

Mr. V***a returned to civilian life and worked in construction. But he also enjoyed raising and racing harness horses which would become a full-time occupation as he became deeply involved in harness racing throughout New England, New York and New Jersey.

Although Mr. V***a accounted for 180 wins and just under $1 million in combined earnings when he trained and drove horses early in his career after first being licensed in 1966, he became more focused on owning and training rather than sitting in the sulky. As a result, he campaigned many horses in the Massachusetts Breeders Stake over the years and was a part of that program’s resurgence over the last 10 years.

Some of Mr. V***a’s more notable horses during his career include Bang Ah Uey (1:52.2, $204,790), Use Yah Blinkah (1:54.4, $199,032) and Roaring Kitty (1:51, $163,456).

Mr. V***a was a member of the United States Trotting Association, a board member of the Standardbred Owners Association of New England, and a member of the Harness Horseman’s Association of New England.

Mr. V***a is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rosalie (Ciampi) V***a; his two daughters, Diana (V***a) Call and husband John Call and Debra (V***a) Hardy and partner Scott Santosuosso. His grandchildren, Nicole (Hardy) Nason and husband Steven; Andrew Hannon and wife Casey; Matthew Hardy and wife Brianna; Jennifer Garrett and husband Scott; and Katelynn Call; his brothers John V***a, Anthony V***a; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother Philip V***a.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516,

24/10/2024

Massachusetts Breeders Stake finals had a record-breaking day

The $1.28 million finals of the Massachusetts Breeders Stake was held on Thursday (Oct. 24) afternoon at Plainridge Park and records of all sorts were rewritten throughout the program.

Four stakes and two track records as well as four lifetime marks were either tied or broken during the stake divisions that were contested for $160,000 each.

Quick notes from the afternoon show that Yannick Gingras was the leading driver with three stake wins, seven different trainers each won one stake apiece and Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred five of the seven 2024 Massachusetts Breeders Stake champions.

In the non-betting 3-year-old filly pace, Every Mans Dream (Always B Miki-Lindy’s Nightmare) became a two-time Massachusetts champion after she destroyed the field in a record mile.

Yannick Gingras eased Every Mans Dream to the front and cut quarters of :27, :55.2 and 1:23.2 while Beantown Ace (Nick Graffam) followed in the pocket. As they entered the last turn, Every Mans Dream and Beantown Ace had separated themselves from the rest of the field. But then Every Mans Dream pulled away from Beantown Ace and flew home in a swift :27 flat final panel to win by 11-¾ lengths in 1:50.2.

The time tied the lifetime mark of Every Mans Dream, tied the track record and set a new stake record for 3-year-old pacing fillies, breaking what she just set earlier this month.

Every Mans Dream is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke.

Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred Every Mans Dream.

The 2-year-old c**t and gelding trot went to current track record holder Belmondo (Walner-Love lockdown) who brushed late to a convincing victory.

Moni Man (Brett Beckwith) took the lead and was followed by Castel Lindy (Yannick Gingras), Belmondo (Marcus Miller) and the remainder of the field through consistent quarters of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:26.4, with nobody pulling the right line. But as Moni Man headed into the turn, Gingras engaged Castel Lindy and Miller tipped Belmondo three-deep, and that top trio entered the stretch in a line across track. But it became quickly evident that Belmondo was full of trot and pulled away from the field before holding off a late closing My Degenerate (Andy Miller) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.3.

It was the third straight MBS win for Belmondo ($2.60) and owners Andy Miller Stable, One Legend Stable and Jean Goehlen. Julie Miller trained the winner, Belmondo and the place finisher My Degenerate.

Belmondo was bred by Lindy Farms of Connecticut.

There was a major upset in the 3-year-old trot for c**ts and geldings when Pepper Wow (Crazy Wow-Tori Hall) tripped-out to victory at 22-1.

The favored Keep Asking (Scott Zeron) took the lead as Pepper Wow (Yannick Gingras) tracked intently from second as Keep Asking set fractions of :27.2, :56 and 1:24.4 with only a mild bid from International Law (Marcus Miller) at three-quarters to contend with. Keep Asking rounded the last turn looking strong, but at the top of the lane, Gingras popped the deuce with Pepper Wow and powered by Keep Asking to win by three-quarters of a length at the light in 1:53.3.

The time was a new lifetime mark for Pepper Wow and equaled the stake record for 3-year-old trotting c**ts as well.

It was the sixth win of the year, but first MBS victory of 2024 for Pepper Wow ($46.00) who is owned and bred by Earl and Kathy Beaman in partnership with co-owner Shirley Michaud. Ivan Davies was the winning trainer.

The 2-year-old trotting fillies saw more records fall when R Lady W (Walner-Born Lindy) put in a dominating front end performance.

Scott Zeron sent R Lady W for the lead and never looked back once crossing over. With Riviera Princess (Yannick Gingras) sitting the trip, R Lady W stepped off quarters of :27.3, :57 and 1:26.3 completely unchallenged. From there, R Lady W really turned it on and trotted her last quarter in :27.4 while pulling away by 5-1/2 lengths in a 1:54.2 performance.

The time was a career best for R Lady W and also set new track and stake records for 2-year-old trotting fillies.

R Lady W ($2.20) is leased by M&L of Delaware and trained by Linda Toscano.

Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred R Lady W.

The second upset of the day came in the 3-year-old c**t and gelding pace where O’er The Ramparts (American Ideal-See To Believe) got up in the shadow of the wire at 17-1.

The favored Rocknroll Lou (Yannick Gingras) methodically made his way to the front while O’er The Ramparts (Brett Beckwith) was happy to take the trip. Rocknroll Lou glided to the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:23.1 with only a mild bid from Bang Ah Uey (Jimmy Hardy) at that last station. Rocknroll Lou took his short lead into the stretch, where Beckwith tipped O’er The Ramparts and took dead aim on the leader. These two pacers were all out in the lane, but O’er The Ramparts had a little more in the tank and got up at the last moment to win by a neck in a lifetime best, 1:52.

It was the sixth win of the year, but first in the MBS for O’er The Ramparts ($36.20) who is owned by Glenn Goller and Stephen Demeter and trained by Mark Beckwith.

O’er The Ramparts was bred by Lindy Farms of Connecticut.

The 3-year-old trotting filly final went to the current MBS record holder Treatyofversaille (International Moni-Birthright) who captured her third consecutive stake victory on Thursday.

Treatyofversaille (Bruce Ranger) got away third as Sassy Zaza (Brett Beckwith) cut the quarter in :28.2. But Ranger was out and rolling early and put Treatyofversaille on the point before the :58.1 half. From there, Treatyofversaille fought off Dawn Of Lindy (Yannick Gingras) at three-quarters, turned for home and then held the tripping Sassy Zaza at bay late to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55.4.

It was the sixth win of the year for Treatyofversaille ($3.60) who is owned and bred by Lindy Farms of Connecticut and trained by Domenico Cecere.

Another stake record fell in the 2-year-old c**t and gelding pace where Jon I Love Dat (Downbytheseaside-Franney Love Dat) was never headed as he claimed the crown.

Yannick Gingras took control easily from post one with Jon I Love Dat and had Digging For Gold (Nick Graffam) shadow him from the garden spot. Jon I Love Dat paced smartly on the lead through quarters of :26.4, :55.4 and 1:24.3 with Digging For Gold breathing down his back. When they turned for home, Digging For Gold pulled to advance, but Jon I Love Dat just paced away from him and to a 2-½ length victory in 1:52.3, setting a new stake record for 2-year-old pacing c**ts.

Jon I Love Dat ($6.20) is owned and bred by Robert Lovett and trained by Chuck Connor Jr.

The 2-year-old pacing filly final was declared a “no contest” after It’s Crunch Time (Yannick Gingras) made a mis-step and fell in the first turn, causing interference to the trailing horses. All wagers on the race were refunded.

The horses and drivers involved were checked out and okay after the race and the purse money will be distributed according to USTA Rule 13.05 (e) 1, concerning No Contest races.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday (Oct. 25) at 2 p.m. and there will be a $10,598 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in race six. Friday is also the Men Wear Pink Sulky Social to raise funds for breast cancer research.

18/10/2024

17/10/2024

16/10/2024

Gingras and Burke capture two Massachusetts Breeders Stakes

The third leg of the Massachusetts Breeders Stake for 3-year-olds of both gaits and sexes was held at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Oct. 15) and state-bred first year starters competed for a total of $305,000 in purses.

The team of driver Yannick Gingras, trainer Ron Burke and owners Tom and Scott Dillon had the hot hands as they combined to win two of the five races contested.

The filly pacers competed in two divisions worth $40,000 each due to the number of entries. All other groups went a single $75,000 race.

In the first $40,000 filly pace, Every Man's Dream (Always B Miki-Lindy's Nightmare) handily scored her third consecutive MBS win.

Beantown Ace (Nick Graffam) was the leader at the :28.3 quarter, but Yannick Gingras pulled Every Man's Dream from third in front of the grandstand and took the lead before the :57.3 half. From there, Every Man's Dream was in complete control and cruised to a 4-¾ length victory in 1:53.4 in the non-betting event.

Every Man's Dream is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke.

Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred the winner.

The second $40,000 group of pacing fillies saw Real Shady Lady (So Surreal-Eyemajet) capture her first MBS win of the year.

Shawn Gray and Real Shady Lady led from the start and set fractions of :28.3 and :59 before Valentine Rose (Matty Athearn) pulled first-over from third to press the issue at three-quarters in 1:28. Valentine Rose matches strides with Real Shady Lady around the last turn and down the stretch, but she could not catch the leader, as Real Shady Lady hung on to a three-quarter length lead to win in 1:56.2.

Real Shady Lady ($2.80) is owned, trained and bred by Alicia Gray.

The $75,000 division of pacing c**ts and geldings experienced continued domination by Rocknroll Lou (Sweet Lou-Beautiful Lady) who claimed his third straight stake win at Plainridge.

Gingras took off the gate and sat third with Rocknroll Lou as O’er The Ramparts (Brett Beckwith) set solid fractions of :26.2 and :55.2 to the half. That's where Rocknroll Lou made his move and cleared the front before the race reached three-quarters. From there, Rocknroll Lou was driven confidently to the line on top by 2-¼ lengths in 1:51.4.

Rocknroll Lou ($2.10) is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke.

Lester Gelardi and Anthony Passafaeo bred Rocknroll Lou.

Next came the trotting fillies who vied for $75,000 and Treatyofversailles (International Moni-Birthright) backed up her big effort last week with another impressive victory.

Bruce Ranger wasted no time sending Treatyofversailles to the front and called all the shots from there. After stopping the timer in :28.4, :58.2 and 1:27.1, Treatyofversailles turned back challenges from Dawn Of Lindy (Yannick Gingras) and International Gift (Scott Zeron) to win by two lengths over Sassy Zaza (Brett Beckwith) in 1:56.

Treatyofversailles ($2.80) is owned and bred by Lindy Farms of Connecticut and trained by Domenico Cecere.

The final competition of the day was the $75,000 c**t and gelding trot where Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility) made quick and easy work of the competition.

Scott Zeron and Keep Asking left like a bullet off the gate and set up shop on the point. With International Law (Marcus Miller) positioned perfectly in second, Keep Asking tripped the timer in :28.1, :57.4 and 1:26 with no opposition from behind. In the final bend, Keep Asking and International Law separated from the field and entered the stretch to settle the score. In the stretch, Keep Asking kept giving and held off International Law by 1-¼ lengths in 1:54.1.

Keep Asking ($2.40) is owned by W Donovan, Joe Sbrocco, Jim Winske and his trainer, George Ducharme.

Donovan, Winske and Sbrocco also bred Keep Asking.

The finals of the Massachusetts Breeders Stake will be held on Thursday (Oct. 24) at Plainridge Park.

15/10/2024

Zeron wins three Massachusetts Breeders Stakes at Plainridge

The third leg of the Massachusetts Breeders Stake for 2-year-olds of both gaits and sexes was held at Plainridge Park on Monday (Oct. 14) and state-bred first year starters competed for a total of $315,000 in purses.

Filly pacers and trotters and c**t and gelding pacers went in split divisions due to number of entries worth $40,000 each, while the male trotters went a single $75,000 race.

Driver Scott Zeron had the hot hand on Monday, winning a total of three stake events. Two of his winners were horses trained by George Ducharme, who topped his fellow conditioners for the afternoon.

In the first filly trot, Fourth Warning (Greenshoe-Concentration) took control past the half and never looked back.

Fourth Warning (Mark Athearn) got away fourth while Bridgeoverbroadway (Troy Beyer) had the lead in the first turn before making a break bear the quarter. That left Arianell (Steve Smith) in control and she trotted to the half in 1:00.2. Passing that station, Fourth Warning was out and rolling and she took the lead on the backside heading to three-quarters. Fourth Warning rounded the last turn and then just pulled away in the lane to win by 7-¾ lengths in 1:59.1.

Fourth Warning ($9.40) is owned and bred by Ray Campbell Jr. and is trained by Gretchen Athearn.

The second group of girls saw R Lady W (Walner-Born Lindy) take her second straight MBS event.

Riviera Princess (Yannick Gingras) and R Lady W (Scott Zeron) lined up one-two off the gate and remained that way through quarters of :29.3, 1:00 and 1:29.3. With the bulk of the rest of the field far behind, the two leading ladies trotted around the last turn and at the head of the stretch, Zeron tipped R Lady W and she went right by Riviera Princess en route to a 5-½ length, 1:57.4 victory.

R Lady W ($2.80) is leased by M&L of Delaware and trained by Linda Toscano.

Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred R Lady W.

The filly pacers were next and in round one, Beantown Roberta (Papi Rob Hanover-Ace of Pace) got her first lifetime and stake win.

Beantown Roberta (Matty Athearn) shot right for the lead and set the pace from there. After getting to the quarter in :28.1 and the half in :57.2, Seafood CC (Scott Zeron) pulled from third and approached Beantown Roberta at three-quarters. The two fillies battled around the last turn and down the lane where Beantown Roberta won the war with Seafood CC by a neck in 1:57.1 to set a lifetime mark.

Beantown Roberta ($12.40) is owned and trained by Wil Dubious.

Michael Goldberg Racing bred the winner.

The second division went to It's Crunch Time (Captain Crunch-Meghan Lynn) who also claimed her second stake win.

Wassail Blue Chip (Marcus Miller) brushed to the front, but It's Crunch Time (Yannick Gingras) was rolling on the outside, made her way to the top past the :28.3 quarter and then marched to the half in :58.3. It's Crunch Time opened up two lengths on the backside and sped to three-quarters in 1:27 flat. She then circled the far turn and headed into the stretch where she turned back a challenge from the late closing Beantown Deuce (Brett Beckwith) to win in 1:55.3.

It's Crunch Time ($3.00) is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke.

Crawford Farms bred It's Crunch Time.

The male pacers put on quite a show and Digging For Gold (Huntsville-Gold Orchid N) remained undefeated in the MBS this year.

Digging For Gold (Scott Zeron) took the lead and called all the shots during the mile. With Jon I Love Dat (Yannick Gingras) sitting in the pocket, Digging For Gold went :27.3, :58.1 and 1:26.4 with only a mild bid from Southpaw (Jimmy Whittemore) at that last station. Coming off the turn, Digging For Gold was in full flight and didn't allow Jon I Love Dat to gain any ground as he won by 1-¼ lengths in 1:54.3 for his third straight win.

Digging For Gold ($2.60) is owned by his trainer, George Ducharme, in partnership with Jim Winske and Dr. Megan Moschgat.

Bamq bred the winner.

The second division was won by Mccusker (Cattlewash-Robocall Hanover) who got a perfect trip to victory.

Mccusker (Scott Zeron) got away fourth and watched Seafood Star (Matty Athearn) overtake Sweet Lucky Lou (Bruce Ranger) for the lead passing the :27.2 quarter. Seafood Star continued to pace sharply on the lead to the half and didn't receive any pressure until the backstretch, where Mass Transit (Ron Cushing) made a first-over move, followed by Mccusker as they paced past three-quarters. Positions remained the same around the final bend until Mccusker swung three-wide heading into the stretch and then paced home the best by 1-½ lengths in 1:54.

Mccusker ($3.60) is owned and bred by Winters Racing Stable.

Then in the lone trot for c**ts and geldings, track record holder Belmondo (Walner-Love Lockdown) chalked up his second straight MBS win.

Belmondo (Marcus Miller) got away fourth as Moni Man (Brett Beckwith) and Our Father Lindy (Bruce Ranger) traded leads to the quarter. Once on top, Our Father Lindy got to the half in :58 before all the action started. Castel Lindy (Yannick Gingras) rushed to the front from third, and was followed by Belmondo and Moni Man, who were pursuing on the outside. Positions remained the same until they came out of the turn where Belmondo swelled up and trotted away to a 3-½ length win in 1:56.2.

Belmondo ($3.60) is owned by the Andy Miller Stable, One Legend Stable and Jean Goehlen and trained by Julie Miller.

Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred Belmondo.

The finals of the Massachusetts Breeders Stake will be held on Thursday (Oct. 24) at Plainridge Park.

02/10/2024

Belmondo sets Massachussets Breeders Stake record

Another record was broken in the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Oct. 1) afternoon, and another was tied in the second leg for 2-year-olds of both gaits and sexes who lined up behind the gate in seven races that totaled $315,000 in purse money.

The pacing fillies, trotting fillies, and pacing c**ts and geldings were each divided into two $40,000 splits due to the number of entries, while trotting c**ts and geldings competed in one $75,000 dash.

Drivers Brett Beckwith and Marcus Miller were tops in the bike as they both had two winners in stakes competition.

The new standard was established in the $75,000 trot for c**ts and geldings, where Belmondo (Walner-Love Lockedon) got a perfect trip and struck late in record time.

Belmondo (Marcus Miller) lined up behind Castel Lindy (Yannick Gingras) off the gate and followed his live cover through quarters of :28, :57.2 and 1:26, where My Degenerate (Tyler Miller) made his way to second heading into the last turn. But when they got to the top of the stretch, My Degenerate broke, giving Miller a clear shot with Belmondo, who trotted furiously past Castel Lindy to win by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:55.

Belmondo’s 1:55 Massachusetts Breeders Stakes record gave driver Marcus Miller half of a stakes double on Tuesday at Plainridge Park.
The time was a lifetime mark for the winner in his first career victory, a new stakes record for a 2-year-old male trotter, and a new track record for a 2-year-old trotting gelding.

Belmondo ($8.40) is owned by the Andy Miller Stable, One Legend Stable and Jean Goehlen and is trained by Julie Miller. Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred Belmondo.

The stakes record that was tied came in the first division of trotting fillies, in which R Lady W (Walner-Born Lindy) captured her first lifetime win.

R Lady W (Brett Beckwith) was sitting second at the quarter behind Corner Store (Yannick Gingras) and followed until Corner Store made a break at the three-eighths pole and pulled to the outside. From there, R Lady W opened up a three-length advantage and found herself at the half in an easy :59.3. R Lady W picked up the tempo from there by putting together back-to-back quarters of :28.2 and :28.1 to finish the mile in 1:56.1 for the win.

The time was a new lifetime mark and also tied the stakes record for 2-year-old trotting fillies.

R Lady W ($5.40) is leased by M & L of Delaware and trained by Linda Toscano. Lindy Farms of Connecticut also bred R Lady W.

The second division of trotting fillies was won by Riviera Princess (Cantab Hall-Dubai Princess), who turned in the mile of her life.

Yannick Gingras sent Riviera Princess to the point from post six and dominated the field from there. Leading by 1-1/2 lengths the whole way, Riviera Princess set splits of :30.1, 1:00 and 1:29.2 before turning for home and scooting away by six lengths in a :28.1 final panel to win in 1:57.3.

Riviera Princess ($4.40) broke her maiden with a stakes victory for owner K R Breeding and trainer Domenico Cecere. Greathorse bred Riviera Princess.

Stellar performances were put in by both divisions of pacing c**ts and geldings.

In the first, Digging For Gold (Huntsville-Gold Orchid N) got his second straight Massachusetts stakes victory.

Digging For Gold (Nick Graffam) led to the quarter before Jon I Love Dat (Mitchell Cushing) rolled up the outside to take command. Now sitting second, Digging For Gold followed the leader to the half in :55.4 and then pulled just before the 1:24.3 three-quarters to take the lead back from Jon I Love Dat in the last turn. In the stretch, Graffam line-drove Digging For Gold to the line on top by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:53.

It was the sixth win in only nine starts for Digging for Gold ($3.80), who is owned by his trainer, George Ducharme, in partnership with Jim Winske and Dr. Megan Moschgat. Bamq bred the winner.

The second group of freshman pacing males saw a major upset when Mass Transit (American Ideal-Spreckles) closed late to win at 33-1.

Mass Transit (Ron Cushing) got away a distant fifth as McCusker (Bruce Ranger) blazed a trail to the quarter in :26.3 and the half in :54 on top by four lengths. When McCusker got to three-quarters in 1:22.2, the field had reeled him in and Seafood Star (Matty Athearn) was pacing alongside as Mass Transit was now only four lengths off in fifth. The field bunched at the top of the stretch, and Mass Transit found himself four-wide in the middle of the track and making up ground with every stride. Then, just before the line, Mass Transit took the lead by three-quarters of a length and won in 1:53.3 to set a new career mark.

It was the first lifetime win in only his third lifetime start for Mass Transit ($69.60) who is owned by EVM Racing, Stephen Demeter and Team Tritton and trained by Shane Tritton. The Chesapeake Equine Clinic bred Mass Transit.

There were also two divisions of pacing fillies that went to post.

First, Beantown Deuce (Huntsville-Don’t Think Twice) got her second straight stakes victory in her best performance to date.

American Lily (Steve Rybka) was leading the way as Beantown Deuce (Brett Beckwith) was covered in second, enjoying the trip. After they reached the half in :57.2, Yannick Gingras pulled It’s Crunch Time from third and rocketed to the lead by three-quarters. But just like that, It’s Crunch Time made an untimely break, leaving American Lily, Beantown Deuce and a now interested Chasing Dudes (Nick Graffam) just a length apart at the top of the stretch. As they made their way down the stretch, Beantown Deuce did the better work of the three and pulled away to a two length win in 1:54.4, taking a new lifetime mark in the lone non-betting event of the day.

Beantown Deuce is owned by Michael Goldberg Racing, who also bred the filly in conjunction with Andrew Harris Racing.

The second set of filly pacers was bested by Wassail Blue Chip (Courtly Choice-Baccara Hanover), who had control of the race from start to finish.

Marcus Miller had Wassail Blue Chip in front through quarters of :28.4, :59.1 and 1:27.3, where Moneymakesherhappy (Brett Beckwith), who had recovered from an earlier break, was now second on the outside. That challenge lasted to the top of the stretch, where Wassail Blue Chip paced away from Moneymakesherhappy while holding off the pocket-sitting Beantown Roberta (Matty Athearn) in deep stretch to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:56.1.

It was the third win in the last four starts for Wassail Blue Chip ($2.10), who is owned by his trainer, Erv Miller, in partnership with Andray Farm and David Miller. Blue Chip Bloodstock bred Wassail Blue Chip.

01/10/2024

Three records fall in Mass Breeder Stakes at Plainridge Park

It was a record breaking day in the Massachusetts Breeders Stake at Plainridge Park on Monday (Sept. 30) afternoon after three stake standards were rewritten by some of the finest state-bred 3-year-olds who were competing in the second leg of the series whose five races were valued at $305,000.

The pacing fillies went in two $40,000 splits due to the number of entries while all other divisions competed in one $75,000 dash.

The connections of driver Yannick Gingras, trainer Ron Burke and owners Thomas and Scott Dillon had a big day as they sent two record-breaking horses to post while another talented triumvirate of driver Bruce Ranger, trainer Domenico Cecere and owner/breeder Lindy Farms of Connecticut also boasted a record-setter in one of their two stake wins.

Gingras, Burke and Dillon got started in the $75,000 pace for c**ts and geldings where they saw their Rocknroll Lou (Sweet Lou-Beautiful Lady) win his second straight Mass Stake start in record time.

Rocknroll Lou got away third as O’er The Ramparts (Brett Beckwith) and Bang Ah Uey (Jimmy Hardy) traded leads in the :26.3 first quarter. After Bang Ah Uey finally crossed over, he settled in and got to the half in :55 before heading up the backstretch. As the race passed five-eighths, Gingras tipped Rocknroll Lou and bolted to the front before three-quarters, but couldn’t clear a defiant Bang Ah Uey around the last turn. But at the top of the stretch, Gingras asked more of Rocknroll Lou and he delivered, pacing home on top by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:51.1.

The clocking was the fastest mile of his life for Rocknroll Lou ($2.10), who also set a new stake record for 3-year-old male pacers and became the fastest 3-year-old pacing gelding ever bred in Massachusetts.

Rocknroll Lou was bred by Lester Gelardi and Anthony Passafaro.

The Gingras, Burke and Dillon trio also won with Every Mans Dream (Always B Miki-Lindy’s Nightmare) who made it two in a row in the first $40,000 leg for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Color Me Sweet (Brett Beckwith) was bold on the front and cut the mile while Every Mans Dream (Yannick Gingras) sat in the pocket. Color Me Sweet stepped off fractions of :27.2, :56.4 and 1:25.1 before entering the last turn. It was there that Gingras tipped Every Mans Dream and in a matter of a few strides, went right past the leader and then stormed home on top by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:52.4.

It was the third win of the year for Every Mans Dream in the non-betting event, who was bred by Lindy Farms of CT.

Then the group of Ranger, Cecere and Lindy got to work and were responsible for the third stake record of the day that came in the $75,000 event for trotting fillies where their Treatyofversaille (International Moni-Birthright) turned in the mile of her life.

Dawn Of Lindy (Yannick Gingras) was the early leader until Ranger and Treatyofversaille came rolling up on the outside to take the lead past the quarter. From there, Treatyofversaille got to the half in :56.4 and three-quarters in 1:25.1 where Sassy Zaza (Brett Beckwith) was making her bid on the outside. As they made their way through the far turn, Treatyofversaille started to separate from the field and in the stretch, pulled away to a 2-3/4 length victory in 1:53.4.

The time was a new lifetime mark for Treatyofversaille ($4.40) and also rewrote the stake record for 3-year-old filly trotters.

Ranger, Cecere and Lindy’s second win came in the $75,000 trot for c**ts and geldings where Intl Blockade (International Moni-Love N Lindy) bounced back from an untimely break last week.

Ranger shot right to the front with Intl Blockade and posted snappy and uncontested quarters of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:26.2 before facing a challenge from Keep Asking (Nick Graffam), who moved first-over from fourth to sidle the leader in the last turn. At the top of the stretch, Keep Asking had fought his way to the lead, but the race was not over. Intl Blockade manned-up and came back strong, taking back the lead at the top of the stretch before trotting home under a line-drive by Ranger to win in 1:54.4.

It was the sixth win in only 10 starts this year for Intl Blockade ($5.60)

The second $40,000 split for pacing fillies went to Beantown Ace (Captain Crunch-Ace Of Pace) who got the nod in a blanket finish.

Real Shady Lady (Shawn Gray) grabbed the lead at the quarter from Valentine Rose (Matty Athearn), but Valentine Rose recaptured the front and led the single-file field to the half in :57.2. As the race made its way to three-quarters, Beantown Ace pulled first-over and drew even with the leader before entering the final bend. In that turn, Real Shady Lady tipped three-wide around both of them and things got real interesting. When the group turned for home, Beantown Ace pulled ahead of Valentine Rose and then held off Real Shady Lady and the late closing Who’s Perfect (Heath Campbell) to win by a quarter length in 1:55.3.

It was the third win of the year for Beantown Ace ($6.20) who is owned and bred by Michael Goldberg Racing. George Ducharme trains the winner.

There was another impressive track record set in non-stake action later in the card where Leanne’s Choice (Courtly Choice-Village Madonna) turned in the fastest mile ever paced by a 3-year-old filly at Plainridge Park. And she did it as the only filly in the field against eight c**ts and geldings.

Making her first start since the Jugette in Delaware, OH, Leanne’s Choice (Marcus Miller) led every step of the way en route to a 1- 3/4 length victory in 1:50.2, which gave the filly a new lifetime mark and also set the new Plainridge standard.

Leanne’s Choice ($3.80) is owned by her trainer Erv Miller, in partnership with Ronald Michelon and Douglas Overhiser.