$2.5 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes kicks off

Plainville, MA — The $2.5 million (est.) Massachusetts Sire Stakes kicked off its 2022 season with sophomore trotters and pacers of both genders going postward in five harness racing divisions at Plainridge Park on Sunday afternoon (Sep 25). With 13 horses entered, the pacing fillies were split into two $32,500 divisions while all other divisions went one race for $65,000 each.

The first filly pace went to Wolverina (Cheyenne Hollywood-Terri I Fra) who led at every station for driver Nick Graffam and closed it out with a brisk :27.4 final panel to win by 1-¼ lengths. ahead of Believe Its Lindy (Bruce Ranger) and Shakeitoffscarlet (Kevin Switzer Jr.) in 1:53.4. The time was a new lifetime mark by a full second.

WOLVERINA REPLAY

It was the ninth straight win this year for Wolverina ($3.20) who is co-owned by Willaim Arnold and Mike Graffam, who also bred and trains the filly.

The second division was won by Dudes Sweet Bet (Dude’s The Man-Sweet Bettor) who left sharply for John Macdonald from post seven, took the lead and extended it at each station through the mile. Down the lane she stretched her advantage to 5-½ lengths and stopped the timer in 1:53.1, tying her lifetime best.

DUDES SWEET BET REPLAY

Dudes Sweet Bet ($2.80) is owned by Sal Vullo, Chris Lems and James De Armond and is trained by Jessica Okusko. Triple C Stable and Chris Lems bred the winning filly.

The glamour division pace had a full field of eight go postward with the red hot Treacherous Tom (Captaintreacherous-Kate Is Well Said) finding the winner’s circle once again for driver Bruce Ranger. Treacherous Tom took the lead and while Use Yah Blinkah (Jim Hardy) tracked closely from second, set fractions of :27.1, :56.4 and 1:24.3, but from there it was no contest. Treacherous Tom rounded the final bend and paced home uncontested by 5-½ lengths in 1:52.4.

TREACHEROUS TOM REPLAY

It was the seventh win in only nine starts this year for Treacherous Tom ($2.80) and owners Tom and Scott Dillon. Joe Nelson trains the razor sharp gelding bred by Fashion Farms.

Moving to the trot, Stamped By Lindy (Muscle Hill-Born Lindy) beat his male rivals with a good effort in a close finish. Yannick Gingras cut the mile with Stamped By Lindy with fractions of :28.4, :59.1 and 1:28.1 and took a two length lead into the home stretch, but good late work by Strongerwithlindy (Steve Smith) put the pressure on the leader late. However despite the strong challenge, Stamped By Lindy still finished the job and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:57 flat.

STAMPED BY LINDY REPLAY

The Paul Kelley trained Stamped By Lindy ($4.40) is owned by Terrance Smith and Neil Goldstein. Lindy Farms of Connecticut bred the winner.

Finally in the trotting fillies division, Just Liv Broadway (E L Titan-Black Broadway) got her first ever stake win in impressive style. Just Liv Broadway (Luke Hanners) left against the prohibitive 1-9 post time favorite Dancin On The Wall (Yannick Gingras) and took a clear lead after Dancin On The Wall made a break before the eighth pole. From there Just Liv Broadway got things her own way with only Wonderwall Lindy (Jay Randall) trotting close behind. After they got to three-quarters in 1:27.1, Wonderwall Lindy pulled on the attack, but Just Liv Broadway responded and opened up 2-¼ lengths at the wire and won in 1:56.2.

JUST LIV BROADWAY REPLAY

It was the seventh win of the year for Just Liv Broadway ($19.00) who is owned and bred by Michael E. Eaton and Bob McHugh. Mike Eaton trains the winner.

Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Sept. 26) and the card will feature the Massachusetts Sire Stakes 2-year-old divisions competing in their first legs.

Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website and clicking the “Racing” tab.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts