Downbytheseaside colt breaks record in Mass. Breeders Stake

Plainville, MA — There was $315,000 in purses available for state-bred 2-year-old trotters and pacers of both sexes in the first leg of the Massachusetts Breeders Stake for first-year participants at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Sept. 24) afternoon. Three of the divisions went in two $40,000 splits with trotting colts and geldings going a lone heat for $75,000.

The pacing colts and geldings went in two groups and they were highlighted by the performance of Jon I Love Dat (Downbytheseaside-Franney Love Dat) who set a new Massachusetts Breeders Stake record.

Mitchell Cushing put Jon I Love Dat on the point and paced unchallenged through quarters of :27.1, :56.4 and 1:24.3.

When he reached the stretch, Jon I Love Dat continued his dominance and paced to the wire without any urging and won by two lengths in 1:52.4, setting the new stake record.

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

JON I LOVE DAT REPLAY

The other group of pacing males was bested by Digging For Gold (Huntsville-Gold Orchid N) who got his first Mass stake victory.

Silent Weapon (Marcus Miller) was leading at the quarter, but Scott Zeron had Digging For Gold out and rolling from third and grabbed the lead past that station. Digging For Gold continued to lead through three-quarters where Seafood Star (Matty Athearn) made an outside bid towards the leader from third. Digging For Gold and Seafood Star battled through the turn and into the lane where Digging For Gold stayed strong and won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53.4.

It was the fifth win in the last six starts for Digging For Gold ($3.20) who is owned by his trainer George Ducharme, in partnership with Jim Winske and Dr. Megan Moschgat.

Bamq was the breeder of Digging For Gold.

DIGGING FOR GOLD REPLAY

The trotting fillies also went behind the gate and Corner Store (Six Pack-Seven Eleven) made quick work of her rivals in the lone non-betting event.

Yannick Gingras had Corner Store on the point and ahead by two lengths while tripping the timer in :30.4, 1:01.4 and 1:31.2. Corner Store then turned for home and stretched out to a 3-1/4 length victory in 1:59.4.

Corner Store is owned by her trainer Paul Kelley, in partnership with Matthew Lamont, Ellen Palillo and Leo Bauer.

William Johnson was the breeder for Corner Store.

In the second division of trotting fillies, Bridgeoverbroadway (Six Pack-Black Broadway) opened up a huge advantage early and stayed tough to close it out late.

Troy Beyer unleashed Bridgeoverbroadway and she opens up a six length gap at the :27.2 quarter. Bridgeoverbroadway maintained her growing and seemingly insurmountable lead to eight lengths at the half and continued into the backstretch.  It it was there that Riviera Princess (Yannick Gingras) starting picking up the slack and was reeling in Bridgeoverbroadway with every stride. When they got to the head of the stretch, Bridgeoverbroadway’s lead was down to two lengths and Riviera Princess was still closing in. But at the wire, Bridgeoverbroadway hung on to a half length lead and won in 1:56.2.

BRIDGEOVERBROADWAY REPLAY

The time was a new lifetime mark for the winner and was only one-fifth second off the stake record.

Bridgeoverbroadway ($5.60) is owned by her trainer Mike Eaton, in partnership with Bob McHugh. Eaton/McHugh also bred their winner.

In the first of two races for pacing fillies, Beantown Deuce (Huntsville-Don’t Think Twice) settled in second behind American Lilly (Steven Rybka) who took the field to three-quarters in 1:28.4. It was there that Brett Beckwith pulled Beantown Deuce from the pocket and put her in play. Beantown Deuce was in full flight as she collared American Lilly and paced home on top by a length in 1:56.4, which was a new lifetime mark.

Beantown Deuce ($9.80) is owned by Michael Goldberg Racing and trained by George Ducharme.

Beantown Deuce was bred by Michael Goldberg and Andrew Harris.

The second group of pacing fillies saw It’s Crunch Time (Captain Crunch-Meghan Lynn) pace away and hide in a lifetime best effort.

Yannick Gingras put It’s Crunch Time on the lead and extended their advantage at every station after that. After stopping the clock in :29, :57.4 and 1:25.3, It’s Crunch Time hit the line ahead by 16 lengths in 1:54, which was a new lifetime mark.

It’s Crunch Time ($2.10) is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke.

IT’S CRUNCH TIME REPLAY

Crawford Farms bred It’s Crunch Time.

Finally, the trotting colts and gelding went to post with Castel Lindy (Walner-Love N Lindy) going gate to wire while tying the stake record.

Yannick Gingras took an easy lead with Castel Lindy and set solid fractions of :28.3 and :58.2. As the race moved top the backstretch, Scott Zeron tipped Belmondo from third and Drew alongside Castel Lindy in the final turn. Belmondo continued to pressure Castel Lindy into the stretch and down to the wire, but never got the advantage as Castel Lindy hung on by a neck in 1:55.4, which was a new lifetime mark.

Castel Lindy ($2.40) is owned and bred by K. R. Breeding and trained by Domenico Cecere.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Sept. 26) at 2 p.m. with the Massachusetts Breeders Stake reconvening on Monday (Sept. 30).

For complete non-wagering race results, click here: US Trotting results.

For complete pari-mutuel race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts