Early speed sets up Marquis Lafayette for lifetime mark

Plainville, MA — After a slow start, Marquis Lafayette (Ready Cash) finished fast and first in the $17,500 featured harness racing trot at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (June 30).

Early speed came from Swan Fine Lady (Ron Cushing) and Gabby’s Wild Child (Drew Monti) who traded leads to the quarter with the latter settling on top past that station in :27.1.

Positions then remained unchanged to the half when Marquis Lafayette (Bruce Ranger) tipped out and started to grind towards the front.

As the race passed the three-quarters in 1:25 Marquis Lafayette drew alongside Gabby’s Wild Child and when he did, Gabby’s Wild Child made a break, leaving Marquis Lafayette in complete control.

As the trotters straightened up for home, Swan Fine Lady and Midnite Craze (Ivan Davies) tried hard to catch the leader but Marquis Lafayette was strong on the point and hit the line up by 2-¼ lengths in a new lifetime best time of 1:54.1.

It was the fourth win of the year for Marquis Lafayette ($3.20) who is owned by Greathorse and trained by Domenico Cecere.

MARQUIS LAFAYETTE REPLAY

It was the fourth win of the year for Marquis Lafayette ($3.20) who is owned by Greathorse and trained by Domenico Cecere.

Ranger and Cecere also teamed up to score with Goodashim (Cantab Hall) who tripped-out behind Doc Goldenfleece until the top of the stretch.

There, he shook loose and brushed to the line first by ½ length in 1:56.2. Goodashim ($3.00) is also owned by Greathorse along with Robert Rudolf, David Reid and Christina Takter.

The fastest trot of the day was registered by Blue Knight (Muscle Mass) and driver Ivan Davies who made a substantial class drop pay quick dividends as he took the lead just past the quarter and then went unfettered to wire where he won by 1-¾ lengths in a lifetime best tying 1:54. Blue Knight ($2.80) is owned and trained by Richard Mason Jr.

The largest win mutuel of the meet was paid out on Thursday after 50-1 shot Neverdie (Credit Winner) and driver Ron Cushing found racing room late and trotted away to a ¾ length victory in 1:57.3. It was the second straight win and 49th of his career for Neverdie who paid $102.00 to win. Mike Graham, Steve Wilson and trainer Mike Cushing own the big winner.

Kevin Switzer Jr. had a driving hat trick while trainer Bob Marston scored two training wins to match Cecere for the afternoon.

Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (July 4) with post time at 4 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website at plainridgeparkcasino.com and clicking the “Racing” tab.

On Thursday (July 7) Plainridge Park will welcome author Amber Sawyer to the track when she will be signing copies of her latest book, “Love To Race.” It’s a children’s book telling a story through the eyes of retired Standardbred race horse Derek Bromac N.

The Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts will sponsor the distribution of free signed books to the first 20 kids — age 12 and under — who attend the live races at Plainridge that day and come down to meet the author. Each child must be accompanied by an adult in order to request a free book. The book signing will start at 3:30 p.m. in front of the grandstand near the winner’s circle. Copies of the books are $15 each.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts