Purameri cracks track and stake records

Plainville, MA — Harness racing records continued to fall in the 2020 edition of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes as the 2-year-olds hit the track for their second leg of the series. Monday’s (Oct. 5) action at Plainridge Park was highlighted by pacing filly Purameri (American Ideal-J K Pure Pearl) who lit it up in her $29,000 division.

So Amazing (Bruce Ranger) took a quick early lead before Rightfully Mine (Jason Bartlett) claimed that position at the quarter and then skated to the half in :57.1. At that point, post time favorite Suzie Blue Chip (Shawn Gray) pulled first-over and advanced towards the leader heading towards the three-quarters where Purameri (Nick Graffam) joined the fray, one out and one back.

Positions remained unchanged around the last turn and into the stretch where Suzie Blue Chip finally got the lead. But Purameri tipped off her cover and started tracking her down. She drew even with the leader in deep stretch and then just edged in front at the beam to win by a head in 1:52.4 at 30-1.

The time was a new track and MASS stake record for 2-year-old pacing fillies and a new lifetime mark for Purameri.

Purameri ($68.60) is owned by the Purple Haze Stables and is trained by Jessica Okusko. 3 Brothers Stable and Camelot Stable bred the winner.

The male pacers split into two $14,000 divisions with a record tying effort by Call Me Maverick (Western Maverick-Briefly) occurring in the first.

Call Me Maverick (Mike Stevenson) and Maui (Shawn Gray) played give-and-go with the lead with the latter taking control by the quarter. Maui hit the half in :56.4 and the three-quarters in 1:26.1 with Call Me Maverick following right behind. When they reached the top of the stretch, Stevenson tipped Call Me Maverick and he incrementally gained ground on Maui all the way to the wire where he got a neck in front to win in 1:54, which was a new lifetime mark and tied the track and MASS stake record for 2-year-old pacing geldings.

It was the sixth win in a row for Call Me Maverick ($3.40) who is owned and bred by the Upland Farm and trained by Alison Hynes.

The second division went to Bumpah Stickah (Roll With Joe-Caila Fra) who gave up an early lead at the three-eighth’s to trip-out behind Mullinax (Jason Bartlett) until the top of the stretch. There, Bumpah Stickah tipped and out-paced Mullinax to the wire where he won by a head in 1:54.1, which was a new lifetime mark for the winner.

Bumpah Stickah ($15.60) is owned by David Thibault, Paul Vacca, Ed Nowak Jr. and Jim Hardy. Frederick Hertrich III is the breeder.

The two trotting divisions saw one favorite jog and another get upset.

The colts and geldings went for $28,000 and Beantown Madness (Conway Hall-Armbro Archer) performed and expected.

Going off at 1-9, Beantown Madness (Shawn Gray) took early control and never relinquished it. He cut relatively soft quarters of :29.2, :59.4 and 1:29.3 before turning for home and hitting the gas in a :28 final panel to win by three lengths in 1:57.3.

Beantown Madness ($2.10) now has six wins in only eight lifetime starts for owner/breeder Michael Goldberg and trainer George Ducharme.

Just like he did yesterday, Ducharme also won the $29,000 filly division with Royal Envy (R C Royalty-Temper Of Will) who put on quite a show in the lane.

Me Too Baby (Matty Athearn) led the field to the half in a soft 1:00.1 when Moni For Lindy (Drew Monti) drew alongside past the five-eighth’s pole. From there the two trotters stepped in tandem all the way around the final bend and opened up five lengths on the field. Just past the seven-eighth’s pole Moni For Lindy took the lead and looked like a winner. But Royal Envy (Shawn Gray) who was fifth and five lengths off, uncorked a furious stretch drive that saw her trot home in :28.4 to catch Moni For Lindy by a nose in 1:58, which was a new personal best.

It was the second straight MASS victory for Royal Envy ($11.60) who is owned and bred by Al Ross and Ray Campbell Jr.

The Massachusetts Sire Stakes take a break next week and resume on Sunday (Oct. 18) and Monday (Oct. 19). The finals follow one week later on Monday (Oct. 26) at Plainridge Park when all eight divisions will compete for an estimated $750,000 in purses.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Oct. 8) with post time at 2 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts