Trotters steal the show at Plainridge Monday

Plainville, MA — Lindy On Stage (Cantab Hall) usually races from behind, but a reverse strategy paid big dividends on Monday (June 19) when an early lead turned into his first harness racing victory of the year in the featured $17,500 trotting feature at Plainridge Park.

Wally Watson chased Lindy On Stage off the gate and to the front, leading the field to the quarter in :27.1. He looked comfortable in control when Bill Bauer (Drew Campbell) pulled from third at the half and bolted to the lead before the five-eighths.

When Campbell crossed over to the pylons, Bill Bauer made a break and just like that, Lindy On Stage was in charge once again. With Dewey Dog (Jim Hardy) following in the garden spot and The World Owes Me (Nick Graffam) alongside him in the breeze, Lindy On Stage opened up a two-length advantage while making his way into the stretch. As they trotted for the line, Dewey Dog did his darnedest to derail the dictator, but Lindy On Stage stayed the course and hung on for the win in 1:55.4.

Owned by John and Susan Muldoon, Lindy On Stage ($11.60) turned in a season’s best effort for trainer Lisa Watson.

LINDY ON STAGE REPLAY

Earlier in the $16,000 conditioned trot, Sidd Finch (Credit Winner) and driver Drew Campbell trotted along sixth until the top of the last turn when Campbell tipped him four-wide and ran down Pass Key (Jim Hardy), Billy B (Wally Watson) and Massive Lightning (Nick Graffam) to win by 2-¼ lengths in a lifetime best 1:54.2.

It was the third win in the last five starts for Sidd Finch ($4.80) who is owned by John Barnard and trained by Irwin Rosenthal.

SIDD FINCH REPLAY

The fastest trot of the day occurred in the $15,000 event for 6-year-olds and under where Sonny’s Moni (Muscle Hill) and driver Bruce Ranger pulled from third heading to three-quarters, collared the front running Harko (Kevin Switzer Jr.) and then jiggy jogged home by an impressive 3-½ lengths in 1:54.1 to set a new lifetime mark.

It was two in a row for the unbeaten-in-2023 Sonny’s Moni ($3.60) and his owner, Moni Maker Stable. Domenico Cecere trains the winner.

SONNY’S MONI REPLAY

Horsemen winning two races on Monday included drivers Drew Campbell, Kevin Switzer Jr., Bruce Ranger and Aaron Hall along with trainer Jimmy Nickerson.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (June 20) at 4 p.m. and there will be a $19,935 carryover in the Jackpot Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in race six and a $422 carryover in the Pick-6 in race four.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts